Cigar Review: Drew Estate Undercrown Dojo Dogma – Rated 91

As soon as I posted a picture of me checking out the Drew Estate Undercrown Dogma cigar, I received messages asking if I am going to review it. Since you all want to hear what Boston Jimmie has to say, I moved this right to the top of my scheduled reviews for you all to read.

Back in 2014, Drew Estate collaborated with Cigar Dojo to create a limited release, box-pressed 6 x 56 toro gordo, that was sold exclusively at the Smoke Inn shops here in Florida. The cigar was made to celebrate the one year anniversary of the Cigar Dojo site. Drew Estate announced this year that the Dogma will now be available to all Drew Estate Diplomat retailers. I guess Jonathan Drew knows a good thing when he has it. In fact, in the company’s press release for the Dogma re-release, Drew noted:

“DE absolutely loves the Dojo community and app because it represents the finest in cigar fellowship and technology. Dojo Dogma signifies our commitment to this distinguished community with a deep sense of purpose, as Dogma was created with intense, heartfelt passion.

This is probably my favorite limited edition to date, along with the ShadyXV.”

The Undercrown Dojo Dogma was on display at this years IPCPR and was officially released at the Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival on August 25, 2018 in Broomfield, Colorado with the team from Cigar Dojo, Drew Estate, and John Drew Brands.

Undercrown Dojo Dogma

Dojo Master Sensei, praised the Drew Estate team in a statement:

“Working with Jonathan and Drew Estate was a dream come true for the Dojo team throughout 2013/2014 and we could not have been more impressed with the final product. The return of the DOGMA is something we have always wanted to do, as the cigar’s unique shape and amped-up blend make for a stunning profile. We can’t wait for more enthusiasts to experience the legendary DOGMA first-hand!”

So what is the Undercrown Dojo Dogma made of?

Basically, it is a tweaked blend of the original Undercrown Maduro Corona ¡Viva!, and has a blend described as:

Wrapper – Mexican San Andrés
Binder – Connecticut Stalk Cut Habano
Filler – Nicaraguan and Brazilian Mata Fina

It is available in a single 6 x 56 box pressed vitola and comes packaged in a commemorative soft pack of 10. MSRP has been set at $9.95/cigar.

For this review, I purchased a Dogma at my local Brick & Mortar shop – Executive Cigar Shop and Lounge in beautiful downtown Melbourne, Fl. It has been resting in my humidor for about a month before this review.

Pre-Light Examination

The Drew Estate Undercrown Dojo Dogma is a beautiful looking cigar with its dark brown and marbled wrapper and rounded box pressing. This is not one of those sharp square pressings, but rather neatly pressed with rounded edges. The cigar has a decent sheen to it and is smoother to the touch than a normal San Andrés wrapper. Solid in the hand with no noticeable soft spots or distinguishing veins it is is finished with a double cap.

There are two bands on this cigar. The primary is the standard Drew Estate Undercrown logo band and the secondary band directly below declares it as the “DOGMA”.

So far so good, now lets see what is has for aromas. Running the barrel along the nose I picked up a fermented leaf aroma that is mildly pungent and the foot offered notes of earth, cocoa, and fruit. Quite enticing if I say so myself.

I chose to use a double blade cutter to do a straight cut of the cap and proceeded to take in a few cold draw puffs. I have to note that the draw was bit more open than I like, while delivering a solid note of cayenne pepper that warmed the lips.

I am still intrigued, so it was time to set the flame of my double torch lighter to the foot, being careful to warm it and taking in a few puffs, getting it to a bright orange glow.

Cigar Review Notes

Undercrown Dojo Dogma

With all that early pepper in the pre-light, the initial smoke hit you with – you guessed it – Pepper!
As the pepper opens my nasals the ash is building into a bright white shaft resting on a thick char line
The pepper pulls back after a half inch and earthiness enters
Thick and creamy smoke is produced
Sour fruit notes enter
Before the end of the first third, it starts to burns hot the touch
Dry leather notes enter deep into first third
There is an off burn developing early on
Oils are growing well on the wrapper beyond the burn line
The early fruit morphs into a black cherry note
Cinnamon spice joins the mix
As the ash drops I note a decent burn cone developed
Natural tobacco sweetness fills out the profile moving through the second third
Burn is running off again and as I tap the ash I noted the burn cone was off-centered this time
The sweetness blends well with the spice going into the final
Total smoking time was 1 hour and 35 minutes

Overall, we rate the Undercrown Dojo Dogma a 91, mostly due to the various burn issues it had during the journey, including the off centered burn cone, off burn in various areas, and the fact that it started to burn hot to the touch early on. Flavor-wise it was a decent smoke with early pepper that settled into sweetness, cinnamon spice, and fruit flavors. I chose not to deduct a point for the early sour note as that eventually morphed into a tasty black cherry. With a plethora of $10.00 cigars on the market, this is a cigar you might want to buy one of, and check out, especially if you are a Drew Estate or Cigar Dojo fan.