Drew Estate MUWAT Kentucky Fire Cured

Drew Estate MUWAT Kentucky Fire Cured

Strength: 3 / 5
Size:  Just a Friend (Toro) 6 x 52
Origin: Nicaragua
Price (local): $7.75
Wrapper: Fire-Cured
Flavor Text:

Generally speaking, the offerings in the Drew Estate portfolio are pretty unique. That has a lot to do with why the brand is so damn popular to begin with. But now this latest line extension to MUWAT has taken things to a whole new level, taste-wise. This phrase gets thrown around a lot, but this time it couldn’t be more accurate – you’ve never tasted anything like this before.

The biggest difference with Kentucky Fire-Cured is the inclusion of – you guessed it! – American fire-cured tobacco leaves from Kentucky and Virginia. While normally tobacco is air-cured, these special leaves are left to hang in specially-constructed curing barns, a process that dates back more than 200 years and that imbues each leaf with a rich, smoky, slightly sweet flavor that boasts exceptional balance and uniqueness. Notes of oak, hickory, and maple-laced sweetness explode on the palate. These leaves are joined by Nicaraguan and Brazilian Mata Fina long-fillers along with an oily San Andres maduro wrapper. This finished product is like nothing else on the market. Been looking for a totally uncommon taste experience that’ll blow your hair back? You just found it.

Want something really special? The Kentucky Fire Cured Swamp Rat and Swamp Thang from Drew Estate offer a half-Candela experience for another fantastic addition to the DE profile. Learn more here. 

One of the most polarizing cigars I've ever smoked is the Kentucky Fire Cured by Drew Estate.

A few months ago, I gave pipe smoking and pipe tobacco a try, and while I didn't exactly understand the appeal after a month of trying, one of the loose tobaccos I actually did enjoy was the Amsterdam tobacco. It had a really toothy aroma to it, and it had some unique traits to it. It wasn't the most full tobacco, but it just had this unique taste that made it really hit the spot for me. I put the pipe down for a number of months and got back to cigars, and upon smoking this cigar, I was immediately hit with the same aroma that I had grown so fond of while smoking Amsterdam tobacco.

This is not a cigar for everyone. Hell, I don't even think it's a cigar for most people. It's one of those smokes that is not an every day smoke; timing is everything with this one. The aroma of the smoke that this stick generates reminds one of a backyard summer bonfire, and that is no exaggeration. It smells really nice, but it will leave your clothes and breath smelling like you just came from a barbeque. Not the worst thing, but also not the best thing, either. It is very, very distinct, which means it will have some fans who love it and many detractors. At the right time, this cigar is a really great smoke. Other times, it's a little sickening.

I would recommend this cigar on it's own, maybe an hour after a heavy meal. I really dislike mixing this smoke with any beverage, but it may go well with something like Scotch because this cigar, like I said, is especially smoky. Most aromas have a specific note to them; this cigar just produces smoke that reminds you of a setting and not necessarily a flavor. You will either like this one or hate this one, and for the most part, I'd recommend against buying a pack of them. Buy them one at a time, because at the right time, they are the perfect choice of smoke. Very polarizing, but very good if this is what you're looking for at a specific time.

Try it at least once. Grab a small one, maybe a Panatela if they are available. It's peppery and smoky and fiery. A pretty neat combination of things, if nothing else. Happy smoking! CB