“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.”
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
Price: $9.00
Review: Undercrown Sun Grown Gran Toro by Drew Estate (9/14/18)
Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Company): 5 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2018)
Coming in at #21 the Undercrown Sun Grown Gran Toro. This is the third line released under Drew Estate’s Undercrown brand. It’s a cigar that made its debut at the 2017 IPCPR Trade Show. It places Drew Estate on the Cigar of the Year Countdown for the fifth time since its inception.
The Undercrown Sun Grown was blended by Drew Estate Master Blender Willy Herrera. While it features a Sun Grown wrapper, what is most interesting is that the cigar uses a Sumatra wrapper – becoming the first regular production traditional hand-rolled cigar by Drew Estate to use this 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 cigar was blended by Drew Estate Master Blender Willy Herrera. This size that lands on the Countdown is the Gran Toro.
Flavor-wise, the Undercrown Sun Grown Gran Toro delivers notes of chocolate, wood, black pepper, earth, and cherry-cream. The flavors are medium to full-bodied countered by medium to full strength.
One thing about the Undercrown Sun Grown is that time is kind to it. While this is an excellent cigar out of the box, it also ages very well in a six to twelve month period. It’s a cigar that performs very well in the Gran Toro format and earns a slot on this year’s Countdown.
For details of the 2018 Cigar of the Year Countdown, see our 2018 criteria.
Photo Credit: Cigar Coop.
