I’m not sure what an undercrown is exactly. Is it like a cardinal’s zucchetto? Or more like a football player’s do-rag? When the pontiff comes home after a hard day and hangs up his mitre, does he look a little like Deion Sanders in his undercrown? I’m guessing no.
Maybe the only true Undercrown is Drew Estate’s recent creation, a version of their extremely popular Liga Privada No. 9 and T52 blends. But anyone who has ever set foot in a cigar lounge knows there has to be an “interesting story” to accompany the cigar’s genesis. And no, it isn’t the one about the newly discovered bale of Cuban leaf mysteriously concealed in the cellar for fifty years. The story is that the torcedors in the Drew Estate factory were smoking up too many Liga Privadas, thereby depleting the precious Connecticut wrapper and other choice cuts of leaf necessary for building that primo smoke. Plant supervisors ordered the rollers to stop smoking the damn product, but the torcedors were so distressed by this sensible business decision that they started rolling a different but very similar blend to smoke in place of Liga Privadas. Ha! That’ll show those meddling supervisors.
Stories aside, the Undercrown is evidently designed to be a less exclusive blend that still bears some similarity to the Liga No. 9. Instead of the Connecticut broadleaf that torcedors love beyond all measure, a Mexican San Andres wrapper is employed, and a different priming of the same Connecticut broadleaf is used as binder. The filler is a blend of Brazilian Mata Fina and Nicaraguan Habano seed.
Sounds good to me. I prefer San Andres to Connecticut anyway.
Five chunky sizes are currently in production:
- Robusto – 5 x 54
- Gran Toro – 6 x 52
- Belicoso – 6 x 52
- Corona Doble – 7 x 54
- Gordito – 6 x 60
Construction Notes
The wrapper on the Undercrown Robusto is perfectly even in hue and much smoother than most Connecticut broadleaf. It’s an oily dark maduro that in some cases might arouse suspicion because it’s so even and consistent. But the roll is almost as perfect — firm and even as a dowel rod but with an excellent draw. The head of the cigar is simple, just a single cap that needs no fancy winding because the edges of the cap are almost seamless.
The burn is remarkably even for a maduro-wrapped cigar, and the burn line is extremely sharp. It burns slowly, perhaps due to the robust ring gauge, and the solid ash is smooth and light gray in tone. It doesn’t really act like a maduro — it’s far too civilized. But its civility only goes so far.
Overall construction excellent.
Tasting Notes
The trademark characteristic of the Undercrown is an immense amount of resting smoke. The room scent is very powerful and it starts up almost immediately, so if you want to clear the room of non-smokers light up an Undercrown and watch them fly.
The initial flavors are smooth and somewhat dry with just the right amount of pepper on the palate. The main flavors are typical of maduro style cigars — cocoa and chocolate, but there is a note of cedar buried under all this. The smoke texture is so full in body that it is almost palpable on the tongue. The volume of smoke this cigar produces is astounding, but the taste is not overwhelming at all. This is another example of a cigar with a full-bodied texture that is not a nicotine shillelagh.
The taste of this cigar is quite concentrated, but the flavors are not terribly complex. The smoke is almost too rich to carry a whole lot of subtlety, but in the last third I detected some raisins and increasing spiciness swirled in with the chocolate and cocoa-based flavors. It’s certainly complex enough to keep my attention, and probably more complex than most maduros.
Conclusion
Anyone who appreciates a good maduro will get a kick out of this cigar. Those looking for a high octane thrill may need to look elsewhere, but if rich, thick, chocolatey smoke with a pinch of spice — all in a moderate strength package — strikes your fancy, you’ll want to check this one out. Prices are in the $7-8 USD range, which falls outside my everyday smoke zone, but I could fit this guy in once or twice a week easily.
Final Score: 91
Cigarfan.net 
Great review. This is a really tasty smoke, but I hope they come out with the corona gorda size soon.
Nice review. And now I know how to spell shillelagh! I’m with jjo – would like to see smaller RGs, but I’ll pick one up to try.
They actually introduced the Undercrown Corona Viva in July of 2012 it is a tick bolder in flavor and is a 5 5/8 x 46 ring gauge. Excellent smoke.
Interesting story of a cigar, I’ll put it on my next shopping list and see how it works with me since I’m a fan of the dark tobaccos.
Well written as usual,
Nice to see you back!
Yeah still trying to get back after all. But I’m still keeping an eye here. This place is inspiring for me.
The robustos burn extremely well and much more evenly than I would have expected. I’m not sure if the husky waistline is responsible for that, but the thought crossed my mind. I generally prefer a small ring gauge myself, but if it helps the burn I’ll deal with the big barrel.
Hey Tom,
Picked up one of these at my preferred local establishment after reading your review. To be honest, while I know Drew Estate has all the potential in the world (I’m being totally serious), I’m just not usually a fan of what’s produced. Buuuuuut… I was stoked on Undercrown! I found it pretty much the same as you reviewed it. I couldn’t believe how consistent, smooth and even it burned for a maduro. And that ash! Mine was almost white and it hung on initially until I put the cigar down midway through. Anyways, I know I haven’t dropped a comment for some time, but I’m still reading. And smoking of course 😉
Hope you had a good holiday over there on the 9th Island. Aloha!
Glad you enjoyed it — I think this one’s a keeper. Might be a good one to light up NYE, which is always a hoot here on the 9th isle. Have a great one yourself, bruddah.
Just remembered, I even took a pic… http://instagr.am/p/a0D8J/
This was a great review and an interesting story.
Based on the review I went to my local B&M and picked up and have smoked several of the Robusto and Toro sizes of this dusky hued parejo. I have to admit I am a real fan of the maduro covered genre and this one, at least for me, is a real gem to add to the repertoire. The Liga Privada #9 is among my favorite sticks and I try to keep an ample supply squirreled away in the humidor for just the right occasions. I agree that the construction, burn and draw are excellent. It was my experience that the Undercrown was about 90% of the Liga Privada #9 in overall flavor and complexity locking its place as a medium body cigar. I also love the amount of smoke these sticks produce and found it to be creamy and palpable on the tongue as well. The coco, cedar, coffee, tea flavors are evident throughout the smoke as well as some sweetness and I have yet to get any sign of harshness from these smokes. I have added this cigar to my queue as a weekly smoke and find it to be an overall fantastic value.
Thanks for the suggestion…
Wow – thanks for all the kind words everyone… we all work very hard at DE to make smokes others will enjoy and there is no greater pleasure than reading the comments of fellow smokers validating our efforts. They mean a lot to all of us here – thanks again.
And for those waiting for a smaller format, it was blended late last year and exceptional – we tweaked it just a tad to up to the octane a wee bit – it is imo delish, but of course I am biased so take whatever I say with a grain of salt… anyways, it is called Corona !Viva it measures 5 5/8 x46 and should be hitting shelves in the spring.
I am actually smoking one right now!
BR,
Steve Saka
Prez, Drew Estate
Go ahead, rub it in lol! I look forward to their appearance.
Thanks for the info! I’ll keep an eye out for it. BTW, I just smoked a toro the other day and really enjoyed the flavors. Burn and draw were both perfect throughout.
I just got around to reading this review. Hilarious! I love the visual of the pontiff wearing a sweaty doo rag. Next in the imaginary thread: His Holiness kicks back with a D.E. Undercrown after a long day hearing bishops’ sordid confessions.
Keep up the great reviews!