Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments where we use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or giving a score for the first time. It might be a blend we are looking at in a different size. Today we look at the Undercrown Sun Grown Gran Toro. This is a cigar we previously assessed back Corona size back in November 2017.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra-Seed Sun Grown
Binder: Connecticut River Valley Stalk Cut/Cured Sun Grown Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Gran Toro: 6 x 52
In 2017, Drew Estate launched the Undercrown Sun Grown. The Undercrown Sun Grown is the third blend under Drew Estate’s Undercrown brand. This cigar joins the other two offerings under the Undercrown brand – the Undercrown (Maduro) and the Undercrown Shade (Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade). Last year we looked at the Undercrown Sun Grown in the Corona size. Today we take a look at the Undercrown Sun Grown in a 6 x 52 Gran Toro size.
Perhaps more interesting that Undercrown is offering a Sun Grown wrapper blend is that the Undercrown Sun Grown is the first regular production traditional hand-rolled cigar by Drew Estate line to feature a Sumatra wrapper. The remainder of the blend uses Drew Estate’s signature Stalk Cut Sun Grown Habano for the binder and all Nicaraguan filler. Like the Undercrown Shade, this was a cigar blended by Drew Estate Master Blender Willy Herrera.
The Undercrown Sun Grown Toro delivered a mix of chocolate, black pepper, cherry cream, and wood notes. The chocolate notes were a notable difference from when I smoked the Corona size last year. It provided additional sweetness and richness that worked in favor for the flavor profile of this cigar. The cherry cream notes were more reminiscent of when I smoked the Corona size. Early on the chocolate and cherry cream notes were in the forefront. By the second third, the cherry cream settled into the background. As the cigar experience progressed there was an increase in the wood and black pepper notes. By the second half, there were some earthy notes with the chocolate in the forefront. By this point the pepper was a close secondary note with the wood and cherry notes also delivering flavor from the background.
I found the Gran Toro to be a bolder cigar than the Corona. The Undercrown Gran Toro started out as a medium to full strength and full-bodied smoke. There was a slight increase in the intensity of both attributes along the way, but by the end of the smoke, the Gran Toro was still medium to full strength and full-bodied. I found this was a cigar where the body had the edge over the strength throughout the smoking experience.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Final Thoughts
When it comes to cigars, there is a perception out there that smaller ring gauges mean a better cigar. That is not always the case, and with the Undercrown Sun Grown Gran Toro, this is a case where the thicker ring gauge worked better. While the Corona was still a very good cigar, I found the Gran Toro Undercrown Sun Grown delivered a richer, more-robust and bolder smoke. The Undercrown Gran Toro is a cigar I would probably still steer toward a more experienced cigar enthusiast, but it’s not a bad cigar for someone looking to graduate to something fuller. As for myself, I would smoke this cigar again and it earns box worthy consideration in my book.
Summary
Key Flavors: Chocolate, Cherry-Cream, Wood, Black Pepper, Earth
Burn: Very Good
Draw: Very Good
Complexity: Medium Plus
Strength: Medium to Full
Body: Full
Finish: Very Good
Rating
Value: Box Worthy Consideration
Score: 92
References
Previous Assessment: Undercrown Sun Grown Corona by Drew Estate
News: Drew Estate to Launch Undercrown Sun Grown at 2017 IPCPR
Price: $9.00
Source: Drew Estate
Brand Reference: Undercrown
Photo Credits: Cigar Coop
