Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary
July 12, 2010
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Natural by Drew Estates
Sometimes…sometimes a cigar blind sides you. What I mean is, sometimes a cigar comes into your possession and your first thought is, “this is gonna suck” only to have that cigar prove you wrong and you’re left with the thought of “man I’m glad I smoked that.” Such a story came to fruition for me with the Natural by Drew Estates.
EDIT – While I describe this cigar as being part of the flavored/infused cigar category, I was wrong. Thanks to those who brought it to my attention that this cigar is neither flavored or infused but rather uses non-traditional tobacco which provides its exotic natural flavors. I’m human and I wrongly lumped and generalized the cigar…thanks for the image below @Famous_Hayward
Video runs around 12:30 and I have to say, while I’m not your typical flavored/infused cigar connoisseur, after smoking the Natural by Estates, I can see why flavored/infused cigars are so popular as every now and then, you come across one or one comes your way, that really surprises you.
Summary – The Natural lived up to its name. While there was a definite sweetness to the cigar, it didn’t have the artificial characteristics of other infused/flavored cigars. The sweetness took on a more balanced natural sweetness and along with some exotic flavors, made for the perfect afternoon companion.
I was always under the impression that they used non standard cigar tobaccos that are not infused for the natural line. That is if I do recall correctly from when they were hitting the scene.
Nice review as always Jerry. I enjoyed the Natural as well. Like you said – one of those cigars that you don’t expect to like but you do.
I’ve never smoked and infused cigar. This might be one I’ll try. I like sweet and of course, the natural flavor in nice also.
Adam is correct, these are NOT infused cigars WHATSOEVER. They’re blended with black smoking tobaccos from Syria, Turkey, China, Louisiana, Bumblefuck, etc.
If I understand correctly, the tobaccos used are more akin to pipe tobacco than to traditional cigar tobaccos.
Great review, might have to get some of these….
Infused, flavored, “nontraditional tobaccos” it doesn’t matter, these sweet cigars are just not for me. I tend to lump them in with the Swishers of the world. So DE can bitch all they want about the cigars not being flavored, or bitch that the Naturals are not infused at all but “nontraditional tobaccos” but if DE is bothered by the confusion, stop making Swisher Naturals and Swisher Acids. Make more cigars like the Liga Privada #9.
Now I know the flavored cigar business is big. But if you want to play in the flavored cigar realm, compete in that realm, and continue to make cigars that taste flavored, then accept it when people call your cigars flavored. In short, I’m tired of hearing DE clarify that this cigar isn’t flavored, or that cigar isn’t infused. The bottom line, your cigars are closer to White Owls than to Tatuaje’s.
Whew, that felt good. Now back to your regular comments.
Just to be clear, thanks Jerry for the review because I know some people probably like this cigar. My rant is no way against you or those who like the cigar but against DE. Thanks again for all that you guys do.
I don’t smoke too many flavored smokes, but I like the Acid line better that the Natural. Nice review Jerry….even though I wanted to hear some singing!
Everything Irish_Mike said I will ditto :p
nice review Jerry, but I cant stand the “sweet” cigars – Only thing I taste is sweetness hat is there to hide the crappy tobacco. I figure if you use good tobacco, why should you have to add a sugary cap or other sweetness to it? I cant believe the cap is purely a natural sweetness like it is!
Mike
More and more people buy the Acid stuff, but when a cigar smells like it should be in a French whorehouse (Kuba Kuba) I at least expect an orgasm from it
First off, good review Jerry! I have smoked the Natural and it’s not flavored like all of the acid cigars. Those of you who are against the flavored/infused cigars should try this cigar! I totally agree with Mike-knightrid on the infused subject! I also believe if it’s good tobacco it doesn’t need to be flavored! I have also gotten my buddies who don’t smoke to smoke the acids.(beginners)Don’t write it off.Try it you won’t be dissapointed!
Your review was right on. You thought it was a flavored cigar, but the entire review you kept saying it didnt taste flavored. Little did you know you were right the whole time. It was almost like a blind review of sorts because the cigar is not what you thought it was. Nice review, keep ‘em coming.
Patrick Sherer, I have tried many DE’s cigars. About 3 years ago I thought I’d give them a shot to see what all the hype was about. I tried the Acids and the Natural. Since then I’ve tried the Java as well. I’ve had the Dirt, Root, Jucy Lucy, Twigs, Blondie, Kuba Kuba, and the Copper Label from CI. So I have given them more than a fair shot.
All of them are sweet and all have some flavored component to them. And the sweetness and the flavors to me are cloying. I wouldn’t comment so strongly on something I have not tried.
I disagree with you that people won’t be disappointed. I was both disappointed that I smoked such sickening sticks and that I spent good money doing so. But we will just have to differ about these cigars. Different smokes for different folks, I guess.
Great review Jerry! I have been a fan of all the Drew Estate lines for a couple years. I tend to like a more full-bodied cigar, but I find that the Drew Estate lines are a good break from my normal smokes or to “cleanse” the palette. For me, they work nicely and I enjoy the change of pace! Great job again!
I like the Natural Roots because of the pipe tobaccos in them…used to be a pipe smoker so those are flavors I am used to and enjoy. I don’t find them sweet so much as different. I believe the Root has Perique from St. James parish, Louisiana in it, possibly blended with Turkish Latakia, but this is only a guess, as I haven’t tasted either of those for a loooong time, and memory is fallible.
I have to agree with your review. I’ve had a couple of these. I consider them to be an aquired taste. I enjoyed the ones I smoked. They reminded me of pipe tobacco, which isn’t a bad thing. Thanks for switching it up a bit and trying this cigar!
It would have been cool for you to have sung something; who picked twisted sister?
Ever since I had the Acid I’ve steered way clear of Drew Estate, although I do want to try the Chateau Real and people really like Liga Privada. Maybe I’ll try the Natural, thankx to your review. Have a great 4th!
I think the Natural line are decent cigars. I remember liking the one called white rabbit I think. It was a lancero almost, and hell they might still make it but I’m not sure. I have a neat box still from a Natural sampler I bought six or seven years ago.
This natural cigar tastes like incense it reminds me of the blondie I bought when I didn’t know better. I asked the clerk if this was a flavored cigar and he said no. To me it tastes like a very smooth flavored phillie blunt. And tastes flavored. Misleading to say the least.
I was open minded, considering DE is so intent on touting these things as non-flavored… but seriously folks, this thing reminded me of something a 12 year old would sneak out of 7-11 with. Plenty of sugary corn syrupy goodness to satisfy the sweet tooth in every child…
Exotic tobaccos from around the world? I guess there is a reason why Latin America/Cuba has a monopoly on this shit.
If you don’t like the taste of real cigars, nobody is putting a gun to your head. Get another hobby. Stop posing with this godawful candy cane hanging from your mouth.