Undercrown Dogma

31 Mar 2014 • Posted by Jack • Drew Estate • 4801 views

I have come nearly full circle here. The first really good new cigar I smoked was the Undercrown when they first came out. I knew nothing about what I was smoking at the time - just that it was a damned fine cigar. That one cigar started the cigar mania I am now subject to daily. So here I am, a cigar blogger. Perhaps the smallest blog around, but that just means I try harder, right? Drew Estate hit me with an e-mail last week about a new release in honor of one of the biggest cigar online communities around, Cigar Dojo. What a terrific nod from one of the industry's biggest and most loved cigar companies! Well, 24 hours after the e-mail, I was opening a box containing two Undercrown Dogma cigars. I have been anxious to get a review of them done and the weather played along today. Without further bluster, let's get smoking!

Construction: A nearly jet black, seamless, and hefty wrapper leaf covers the Dogma. Mexican San Andres has been the wrapper of choice for several great cigars in the past few months, so I already expect good things - knowing that Drew is one of the top at his craft. The cigar is satisfyingly heavy in hand. The box press is fairly soft, which I prefer to some of the harder presses around these days. It's just a pretty cigar. I can't go further without saying something about the branding. Drew Estate has some of the finest design and presentation out there. The Undercrown band is simple and gorgeous. Adding to the usual heraldry lion and crown motif, they added a sub-band in the same colors with big letters stating " DOGMA" . On the back are two nifty easter eggs....the Cigar Dojo logo and the phrase " never smoke alone" . I am afraid I am going to have to violate that, guys. I am often a lone gunman on the grassy knoll when reviewing a cigar.

Pre-light Aroma and Draw: Out of the cellophane, the Dogma gives off a heavy dark chocolate aroma with coffee and a touch of damp earth. There is a mild spicy note in there too - like damp cedar.

Light and Burn: Somehow, by the grace of god, I was able to light this cigar with matches in my back yard. If you aren't privy to the wind of Xenia Ohio, just do a bit of poking around on Google. The 74 tornado not withstanding, the breeze around here is almost always a cigar smoker's worst enemy. The Dogma burns like a house afire. Copious amounts of smoke just fog up the neighborhood from this cigar. Chalk white ash that clings for an inch or more before dropping soundlessly into my ashtray.

Tasting: Starting off, the Dogma is heavy duty like the core Undercrown line. A very deep and warm earth just blasts the palate. If you haven't had an Undercrown, they are actually quite different than the Liga Privada No. 9. and totally incredible - and cheaper than the Liga.

The first third his me with some cedar, white pepper, a nice orange blossom sweetness, and a huge earthy core. I get notes of sawdust....which sounds crazy, but there is a really excellent fresh lumber taste that I really enjoy. I think the orange blossom and cedar are causing it....hey, I am not complaining at all. It's delicious.

The second third starts a bit milder than the first third, which was easily full bodied across the palate. A definite cocoa sweetness wrapped around some coffee mingles together with that floral and cedar deliciousness from the first third. The core is still very earthy but the cocoa/coffee is really in the front now. A few puffs also gave me a maple syrup and honey note underneath. Truly outstanding.

The final third is here. Heavy black coffee - perhaps the most notable coffee note I have ever found in a cigar - lights up the palate. The flavors are rich and deep with loads of complexity. Notes of cocoa, toffee, and a sweet chocolate show up mixed with the earthy core. The cedar and orange blossom take the back seat and just show up as faint whispers. The Dogma stays very cool to the nub a well. Something I always enjoy in a fine cigar...and this is certainly one of the finest Drew Estate cigars I have had the pleasure of smoking.

Value: At around $10 the Dogma is well worth every cent. The sample I smoked was given directly from Drew Estate - nothing better than free cigars, but I would gladly spend my hard earned cash on these anytime.

Final Thoughts: The Dogma is a terrific salute to Cigar Dojo - which is a terrific community of cigar lovers around the globe. Heck, Jonathan Drew himself is a member of the Cigar Dojo community. I am just floored with the quality and bevy of flavors this beautiful black monstrosity pumped out. My only dilemma now is whether I should smoke the hell out of the remaining sample or sit on it for a decade or so. Without a doubt, highly recommended!

Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Stalk-cut Connecticut Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan and Brazilian Mata Fina

Strength: Medium-Full

Size: 6 x 52 box press