It’s Stog o’Clock, and this time, I check out the Drew Estate Undercrown ShadyXX. This cigar was made with Paul Rosenberg, president of Shady Records, to celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary. It comes in one size, a 5 x 50 box-pressed Belicoso, and retails for $10.40. A Mexican San Andres wrapper adorns a Connecticut Stalk Cut Habano binder and fillers from Nicaragua and Brazil.

Let’s Get Started
On the cold draw, the Undercrown ShadyXX produces a raisin-dominant dried fruit flavor. The wrapper gives off a rich earthy aroma while I smell much the same out of the foot. Once lit, rich dark cocoa and black pepper appear. Through the nose, sweet cocoa is touched by a hint of black pepper. The finish exudes black pepper, leather, and earth.

First Third
Twenty-five minutes in, the first third comes to a close. On the draw, I pick up cocoa with black pepper and espresso. Through the nose, red pepper blends with oak. The finish gives me grassy earth and black licorice. Strength and body settle in at medium-to-full.

Second Third
The second third ends around fifty minutes. Strong black pepper and bitter cocoa dominate the draw. On the retro-hale, sweet cocoa is tamed but present along with vanilla. There is more black licorice on the finish with leather and grassy earth. Strength and body remain consistent at medium-to-full.

Final Third
An hour and twenty minutes in, the final third sees the end. On the draw, I get more black pepper and cocoa. Through the nose, sweet cocoa and vanilla are topped off with additional black pepper. The finish hits me with more black licorice and even bolder black pepper. Strength and body finish out at medium-to-full.

Overall Thoughts
The Drew Estate Undercrown ShadyXX is a solid cigar. It produces a lot of bold, dark flavors that work well together with a decent amount of complexity. Aside from a brief wavy burn and required touch-up in the final third, construction was on point with huge plumes of smoke.
Price is competitive with other cigars on the market, and I would say this is one of the best blends currently in the Drew Estate portfolio. These cigars are a limited production, so they’re a bit hard to come by. I recommend giving the Undercrown ShadyXX a try if you can find it!
Smoke on!
-Noah (CutLightSmoke)