Drew Estate Undercrown Shade: The Connecticut That Changed Minds
Connecticut cigars have a reputation problem—too mild, too boring, too forgettable. Drew Estate's Undercrown Shade dismantles every one of those assumptions with creamy, nuanced elegance.
The Connecticut wrapper cigar occupies a curious position in the enthusiast hierarchy. Beginners love them for their smoothness. Intermediate smokers dismiss them as training wheels. And then, somewhere along the journey, experienced smokers circle back and discover that the best Connecticuts offer a sophistication that full-bodied powerhouses can only dream of. The Drew Estate Undercrown Shade is the cigar that accelerates that journey.
The origin story is delightful. Drew Estate factory workers, denied access to the precious Liga Privada No. 9 blend, created their own version—the Undercrown. The Shade variant takes that rebel spirit and filters it through an Ecuador Connecticut wrapper, producing a cigar that is mild enough for morning smoking but complex enough to hold the attention of someone who usually reaches for a Padron 1926.
From the first draw, there's an immediate creaminess—milk chocolate, vanilla, and caramel sweetness wrapped in cedar. A whisper of spice prevents monotony, and the smoke is abundant and aromatic. This is the cigar that makes your non-smoking spouse say "that actually smells nice" rather than banishing you to the garage.
The second third introduces honey, cashew, subtle coffee, and earth while creaminess intensifies. There's a sophistication to how the flavors develop—each element arrives at exactly the right moment, building a cumulative experience that is greater than the sum of its parts. The burn and draw are exemplary throughout.
The final third delivers cedar and honey with cashew, light coffee, and pine joining for a smooth, never-harsh finish. The retrohale is clean cream and gentle white pepper with a touch of citrus brightness. You could smoke this cigar every single day and never tire of it, which is precisely the point.
At under $9, the Undercrown Shade is the daily driver that every humidor needs. It's the cigar you reach for when you want something good without making a decision. And sometimes, that's the highest compliment of all.
