Cigar Asylum Cigar Forum  

Go Back   Cigar Asylum Cigar Forum > Cigar Forums > Island (The other ones) Reviews

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-01-2012, 06:39 PM   #1
danreeve
Feeling at Home
 
danreeve's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
First Name: Dan
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 733
Trading: (2)
danreeve has a spectacular aura aboutdanreeve has a spectacular aura about
Default Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

Last Friday, Governors Smoke Shop (@GovernorsSmokes on twitter), a relatively new shop in the Columbus area, hosted a large Drew Estate event. Our local sales rep Sam Smerkol was there holding down the fort, as well as special guest David Lafferty Regional Manager East Coast for Drew Estate. If you have met David before, you will know that fun and craziness follows this guy around.

Here is a video we shot of the event: http://vimeo.com/35848645

Sometime during the event, David handed me a new size of the Undercrown by Drew Estate called the "Corona ¡Viva!" to be released this spring.

A quick Google search found this quote from Steve Saka President of Drew Estate regarding this new size: Corona ¡Viva! - 5 5/8 x 46 - slightly tweaked blend to increase the octane just a wee bit... did this figuring the guys most likely to desire this format are those with more experience and would desire a slightly stronger cigar (ME... lol) Keep in mind though the tweak keeps the UC blend intact, we didn't want to overshadow the natural sweetness or the creaminess of the core UC, so this is minor adjustment that I suspect many may not even notice. We probably won't even tell people... at least formally. (Source BOTL Website)

Undercrown has done very well and received much praise from the cigar blog world (if you want the whole story on how this cigar came about visit Tony's site here. It's got all the info you need and I won't need to repost it.) I've smoked well over a handful of Undercrowns, from samples at the tradeshow, to sticks from my B&M. Some I have liked, others I have not. Let's see how this new size held up.

Vitola: Corona ¡Viva!
Length: 5 5/8
Ring Gauge: 46
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Negro
Binder: Connecticut Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan & Brazilian
Price: $?
Smoking Location: New Havana Cigars
Beverage: Water

Pre-Light
First off, I loved the size of this cigar. The classic Cuban corona size just really sat well in my hand and was a nice change from the big ring gauge cigars that seem to be dominating the market right now. The wrapper was a very dark brown color, almost black in some places, with a lot of oils that shimmered in the light. There were a few small veins but nothing that took away from the brilliant dark color. The pre-lit aroma had sweetness mixed in with some floral notes. The cap clipped easily and the cold draw tasted nutty and leathery.

First Third
The first thing anyone smoking this cigar will notice right away is the amount of smoke this stick puts off. I've heard others say that Undercrown's "smolder". The Corona ¡Viva! is a perfect example of that. The resting smoke quickly filled the area of the lounge I was sitting in. The flavors in the first third were a little weak on the front with just some muted leather and sweetness, but the finish was powerful with lots of dry cocoa. There was almost no spice in the cigar at this point, which I found interesting because I remember some other Undercrowns having some. The construction was perfect and the cigar's burn created a nice tight, compact ash. I would put the strength of the cigar in the solid medium range.

Second Third
The second third of my Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! is where things started to really get interesting. And by interesting, I mean awesome. On the front of each draw, I was met with a very different sweet flavor that had a bit of a twang to it. I wracked my brain over and over about what this flavor could be and the best I could come up with is it was almost candy like. Not sickeningly sweet candy (this is tobacco we're talking about, after all) but twangy with almost some tartness. I know to my readers that might sound crazy/dumb, but it's the best way I can describe it. The finish flavor was still a strong dry cocoa which, even with its strength in flavor, it faded away nicely to leave my palate feeling clean. Still no sign of any problems with the construction or draw. Just like the first third, I would say the nicotine strength was in the medium range.

Final Third and Final Thoughts

The final third of my Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! continued on like the second third, but only increased in flavor strength. Once again, the front of the profile was dominated by the sweet tangy flavor which actually started to creep into the finish as well. It did not overpower the cocoa taste, but it was in there. I burned this cigar as far as I could and I can honestly say that even with how much I love the size, I wished it was longer. I did notice that the nicotine strength started to pick up toward the end of the cigar and I could feel my heart rate pick up a bit, so I guess I would put the final third in the medium to medium-full range.

My final thoughts on The Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate?
This is a game changer for the Undercrown line. Like I said in the intro, I've had hit or miss experiences with this brand, but this was not just a hit...it was a home run. Once this cigar got heated up, the sweet twangy flavor was unique and popped on every draw and the dark cocoa finish ended the flavor experience cleanly. If the full release in the spring is anything like this sample, I just might have a new favorite from Drew Estate

Would I buy it again? Yes

Would I buy a box? This is for sure a box purchase cigar.

for more pictures please visit http://tinyurl.com/6my76hh

Dan
__________________
http://cigarpress.com/
danreeve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2012, 06:46 PM   #2
MurphysLaw
Anything can go wrong
 
MurphysLaw's Avatar
2
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
First Name: Brian
Location: SoFlo
Posts: 2,823
Trading: (19)
Partagas
MurphysLaw is just really niceMurphysLaw is just really niceMurphysLaw is just really niceMurphysLaw is just really niceMurphysLaw is just really nice
Default Re: Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

Great review Dan, another cigar to put on my "must-have" list
MurphysLaw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2012, 06:48 PM   #3
Ismith75
Tin Cup Chalice
 
Ismith75's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
First Name: Ian
Location: Chicago
Posts: 373
Trading: (8)
Bolivar
Ismith75 will become famous soon enough
Default Re: Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

Great review! Awesome to see another new sub-50 rg
Ismith75 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2012, 06:53 PM   #4
sevans105
Alpha Zombie Wolf "Sceve"
 
sevans105's Avatar
2
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
First Name: Scott
Location: Southern Minnesota
Posts: 1,786
Trading: (30)
Cohiba
sevans105 is a jewel in the roughsevans105 is a jewel in the roughsevans105 is a jewel in the roughsevans105 is a jewel in the rough
Default Re: Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

Thanks for the review. I look forward to seeing these hit the market!
__________________
sevans105 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2012, 07:00 PM   #5
LigaPrivadaT84
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

Ecstatic to hear about this one; love my short smokes.
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2012, 07:02 PM   #6
TJtorpedo
Feeling at Home
 
TJtorpedo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
First Name: Tim
Location: Midlothian, VA
Posts: 600
Trading: (4)
Cohiba
TJtorpedo is on a distinguished road
Default Re: Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

These sound awesome. One of my favorite sizes too. Great review!
TJtorpedo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2012, 07:02 PM   #7
mase
Undead Recruiter
 
mase's Avatar
1
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
First Name: Kevin
Location: The city that works....against you
Posts: 845
Trading: (9)
Cohiba
mase will become famous soon enoughmase will become famous soon enough
Default Re: Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

Thanks for the review. Looking forward to trying the new vitola.
__________________
mase is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2012, 07:13 PM   #8
Zeuceone
You're next
 
Zeuceone's Avatar
1
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
First Name: G
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,737
Trading: (16)
LGC
Zeuceone has disabled reputation
Default Re: Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

Cant wait for this one.
Zeuceone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2012, 07:18 PM   #9
Digs
Adjusting to the Life
 
Digs's Avatar
1
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
First Name: Dennis
Location: "The Wood"
Posts: 498
Trading: (17)
Digs will become famous soon enough
Default Re: Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

Great review, as time goes on I am trending toward the smaller ring gauges.
__________________

A gun in your hand is better then a cop on the phone
Digs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2012, 07:30 PM   #10
Liquid Smoke
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

Going to be on the lookout for these babies
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2012, 07:32 PM   #11
lenguamor
puta por Ninfas!
 
lenguamor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Joe
Location: The 305 again!
Posts: 1,030
Trading: (23)
PL
lenguamor will become famous soon enoughlenguamor will become famous soon enough
Default Re: Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

Great review. Sounds delicious, and I love the fact that it's a corona; I look forward to trying this.
__________________
lenguamor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2012, 08:04 PM   #12
chaase321
ZOTL's mmmmm brainssss
 
chaase321's Avatar
3
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
First Name: Cole
Location: Woodbridge VA
Posts: 2,114
Trading: (81)
Partagas
chaase321 is a jewel in the roughchaase321 is a jewel in the roughchaase321 is a jewel in the roughchaase321 is a jewel in the rough
Default Re: Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

Great review! Put me on the pre-order list with Sam!

Seriously sounds like a great stick to compliment the original UC
__________________
ZOTL our appetites will ALWAYS be bigger than your braaaiiiins...
Support the Troop Support Contest 2014!!!
chaase321 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2012, 08:07 PM   #13
Taki
Welcome to the Layer Cake
 
Taki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
First Name: Taki
Location: The Creek
Posts: 2,271
Trading: (38)
HdM
Taki has disabled reputation
Default Re: Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

Great review brother....sounds
__________________
Taki is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2012, 08:14 PM   #14
ApexAZ
Wandering aimlessly
 
ApexAZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
First Name: Brian
Location: Sonoran Desert
Posts: 1,299
Trading: (10)
ApexAZ will become famous soon enoughApexAZ will become famous soon enough
Default Re: Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

Great review! I can't wait to try it!
ApexAZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2012, 06:51 AM   #15
danreeve
Feeling at Home
 
danreeve's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
First Name: Dan
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 733
Trading: (2)
danreeve has a spectacular aura aboutdanreeve has a spectacular aura about
Default Re: Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

Thanks guys.

Dan
__________________
http://cigarpress.com/
danreeve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2012, 06:59 AM   #16
emopunker2004
Central Fla rollin
 
emopunker2004's Avatar
1
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
First Name: Justin
Location: Winter Springs, FL
Posts: 6,171
Trading: (46)
HdM
emopunker2004 is a name known to allemopunker2004 is a name known to allemopunker2004 is a name known to allemopunker2004 is a name known to allemopunker2004 is a name known to allemopunker2004 is a name known to all
Default Re: Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

omg i can't wait. i LOVE coronas
__________________
Cigar Asylum: Where all are equal, unless you are from CA, then you are more equal.
emopunker2004 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2012, 07:28 AM   #17
irratebass
EMPEROR TOMPKINS
 
irratebass's Avatar
1
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
First Name: Mickey
Location: Mooresville, Indiana
Posts: 8,313
Trading: (48)
ERdM
irratebass is a splendid one to beholdirratebass is a splendid one to beholdirratebass is a splendid one to beholdirratebass is a splendid one to beholdirratebass is a splendid one to beholdirratebass is a splendid one to behold
Default Re: Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

Wonder if the price of these will be a bit cheaper than the norm
__________________
http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/t/o/totoka.gif
irratebass is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2012, 07:50 AM   #18
Boz
In Vino Veritas
 
Boz's Avatar
1
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
First Name: William
Location: Nashville, Tn
Posts: 1,544
Trading: (18)
HUpmann
Boz has a spectacular aura aboutBoz has a spectacular aura about
Default Re: Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

Very cool! I cant wait for this one to hit the market. Thanks for the review Dan
__________________
The snozzberries taste like snozzberries.
Boz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2012, 08:12 AM   #19
Doctorossi
Have My Own Room
 
Doctorossi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Burlington, VT
Posts: 1,684
Trading: (8)
Punch
Doctorossi will become famous soon enoughDoctorossi will become famous soon enough
Default Re: Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

Nice! I haven't tried an Undercrown yet, but I'm very happy to see they're doing a corona gorda.
__________________
Marvin Shanken is a terrific guy... for me to poop on!
Doctorossi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2012, 10:39 PM   #20
lenguamor
puta por Ninfas!
 
lenguamor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Joe
Location: The 305 again!
Posts: 1,030
Trading: (23)
PL
lenguamor will become famous soon enoughlenguamor will become famous soon enough
Default Re: Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate (pre-release)

Had one of these last night. It was ROTT, so I wasn't gonna review it, but made some notes nonetheless.

Pre-light this is one unique-smelling baby. A deep, rich and spicy combination that I can only compare to Mexican chocolate, with cinnamon and some cloves floating in the background.

The appearance is luscious and flawless; the wrapper is like a thin sheet of the darkest chocolate, while the tobacco in the foot is the color of espresso foam.

As Dan noted the smoke is rich and dense, heavy in the air. The flavor at the beginning is just a powerful kick of well-fermented tobacco, with undertones of spice and a clean, dry finish.

Later on and past the middle flavors intensify and become somewhat sweeter, yet retain a slight bitterness, like perfectly-prepared Cuban coffee.

The last part is intense and chocolatey, sort of brooding; nothing comes through clearly, but there's a lot going on in that smoke. I expect that a few months' age will define the edges of this cigar and say whether its solid core will turn into something special. But it is definitely something you could enjoy now if you wanted to...or couldn't wait, like me :
__________________
lenguamor is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:34 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
All content is copyrighted jointly by Cigar Asylum and the content provider.