Weekly Email – September 16th, 2015

The Undercrown series by Drew Estate is in a class by itself. Developed as an alternative to their coveted Liga Privada series, Undercrown cigars are constructed of tobaccos similar in flavor to the rarefied leaves used in the production of Ligas, but which are more readily available. (The blend was purportedly created by the torcedores* themselves when asked to refrain from smoking up expensive Liga stock on the line.) Despite their humble origin, Undercrowns are excellent, and nearly as prized as their more costly counterparts. They’re comparable in terms of strength, as well, incorporating potent tobaccos such as Negro Último, T52 Connecticut River Valley Stalk Cut, and Brazilian Mata Fina, which add up to a truly powerful smoke.Now, at long last, the rumored Undercrown Shade has been developed, an astonishing, mild blend by tobacco legend Willy Herrera (his first blend for a brand other than his own Herrera Esteli). It consists of Dominican Criollo 98 and Nicaraguan Criollo & Corojo fillers and a Sumatran binder within a wrapper of buttery Ecuadorian Connecticut, an incredibly complex and delicious combination with characteristics of caramel, vanilla, and toasted nut that remains flavorful right to the end.

Six sizes will eventually be made available, and our first shipment has arrived, the 6″ x 52 Gran Toro. They’re going fast, so get down here and try one while we’ve got them!

* Torcedor is the formal term for a cigar roller.

In addition to the aforementioned Buenaventura Pralines (see Cigar of the Week above, if you’ve somehow missed it), Curivari has released a few other new cigars this year, most notably the Mirmidones, an extension of their outstanding Achilles series.The Myrmidons were the warriors of Achilles himself in the Iliad (from the Greek word μυρμήδη or “ant”), fearsome fighters renowned for their virtual invincibility; thus, the cigar bearing their name (or the Spanish version thereof) is an amped-up version of the original Achilles line, a Nicaraguan blend with a stout Mexican San Andrés wrapper for added flavor and strength.

These tasty creations are available in three sizes: 5″ x 52, 6″ x 54, and 6¾” x 58. Get your mitts on an Achilles Mirmidon while we’ve got them…you’ll be glad you did!

What follows is what I’d call a preview-review ofWar Horse, a recently resurrected blend from days gone by, released by a new company which has the earmarks of becoming a force to be reckoned with on the pipe tobacco scene.

The Standard Tobacco Company of Pennsylvania, founded by master blender Russ Ouellette (and a tiny contingent of rabid tobaccophiles) has skillfully recreated the old Gallaher staple of the same name, an event which has been highly anticipated by many members of the online pipe-smoking forums. The loose-cut version has been making the rounds prior to the official December 2015 product launch, and I give props to Pittsburgh Pipe Club member Shane for sharing his sample with everyone this past Saturday (and also for saving some for this reviewer to try).

The loose version (of what will ultimately be pressed into a solid plug) is burley based with dark red Virginias and a splash of Perique, leading one to believe this is a very stout tobacco blend. In fact, quite the opposite is true: I find it to be a very solid medium-bodied smoke. There’s a licorice-type topping included which adds a little flavor at the very start of the bowl; as for the lingering sweetness experienced throughout the smoke, I’m going to credit the Virginia leaf, as it never becomes overpowering. There’s the nutty goodness one expects with a burley base, and the Perique shines through with fig and stewed fruit as the smoke is retrohaled through the nose.

I noted some sharp edges if I pushed it too hard, but I’d have to think that once the pressing process is finalized, these blended leaves will marry and mellow into an even tastier blend. We expect to get a smattering of the company’s new/old offerings as they become available, and there are a few samples of War Horse (and a few other resurrected blends) here to try, so come on in to the shop and load a pipe.

We’re looking forward to working with a PA-based company that is enthusiastically blending for pipe lovers the world over. Re-releasing a blend that’s been long gone – and doing it well! – speaks volumes about the hand doing the blending. Russ has hit a home run with War Horse (I love that name) and I can’t wait to try the other blends coming soon from Standard Tobacco.

4 of 5 pipes, and don’t forget to Puff On!