Earlier this year, Southern Draw Cigars announced the availability of a Casa de Montecristo Exclusive Rose of Sharon. Enabling customers to procure this award-winning Rose of Sharon blend in a Salomon (7.125 x 58) size, meticulously hand-rolled in a round format, not its’ traditional soft box-pressed shape, at all the nationwide Casa de Montecristo retail stores.
Sharon Holt, aka the Boss Lady of Southern Draw stated:
“As Southern Draw Cigars celebrates a milestone, ten years of serving our valued retail partners, we are thankful that we get to kick off a year-long celebration with a Casa de Montecristo Exclusive offering what we believe is up to the task, given their high standards and the amazing Exclusives that have preceded ours. Planning began over two years ago, then patiently producing the cigars at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez de Nicaragua, SA and confidently delivering these customized boxes to Casa de Montecristo makes this new release so much sweeter than anything that has come before, and we are deeply honored.”
The company describes the blend as:
- Wrapper: Connecticut, Ecuador
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaraguan/Dominican Ligero
Pricing for the Exclusive has been set at $12.17/stick and $146.04 per twelve count boxes.
For this review, I sampled three of these, which I received from Casa Montecristo for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Casa de Montecristo Exclusive Rose of Sharon is an absolutely beautifully constructed salomon. The cigar is cloaked in a silky smooth golden tan wrapper with all but no noticeable veins. The foot tip is perfectly formed and the cap is excellently molded into a perfect torpedo shape. The barrel has just the right give when pressed between the fingers.
Two bands adorn the cigar. The primary is the standard pink, gold, and black Rose of Sharon band proudly displaying the Southern Draw logo in the center. A secondary band is placed just below the primary and declares this as the Casa Montecristo Exclusive.
Running the barrel long the nose I noted a sweet and spicy aroma that entices the senses. With the Salomon tip, I could not ascertain aromas off the foot.
I sliced the head about a quarter inch down and proceeded to give it some cold draws that I found to offer notes of dry fruit and butter with a mildly growing peppery spice.
Using my single flame torch, I lit the foot tip and drew in the first puffs of creamy smoke to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- The tip of the cigar took to the light perfectly offering a slow increase of volume of creamy smoke
- The ignition was a perfect light off the tip with a draw that slowly opened up with notes of the draw hay and fruit with a light peppery spice on the retrohale
- Light grey ash forms on top of a medium thick char line
- The draw is smooth from the very first puff
- Dry raisin notes join the mix, deep in the first third
- Ash fell in a good chunk revealing a perfectly formed burn cone
- Cocoa notes evolve, moving into the second third as natural sweetness develops from the wrapper
- Vanilla essence adds to the pleasure deep in the second third
- Slight resurgence of pepper deep in second third
- Mild earthy notes in the final
- Mild to medium in strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 45 minutes
Final Analysis
The Southern Draw Casa Montecristo Rose of Sharon took to the heat of the flame effortlessly, igniting the tip of the foot with ease. From the first puff, it offered a smooth, creamy texture smoke that increased in volume. thickened and revealed delicate hints of hay and fruit, complemented by a subtle peppery spice on the retrohale. As the first third progressed, dry raisin notes entered the profile, enhancing the complexity. Moving into the second third, the smoke evolved with cocoa notes, balanced by a natural sweetness from the wrapper. A hint of vanilla essence emerged, heightening the enjoyment, while a gentle pepper resurgence punctuated the flavors. The final third introduced mild earthy undertones, bringing the journey to a satisfactory conclusion. The strength remained a mellow, mild-to-medium throughout, with the entire journey. This is on of the best expression of the Rose of Sharon yet. I would certainly say this is a box buy especially if you are looking for that mild to medium strength experience, with just enough extra to tantalize your palate. I rate this a 96.
Point Deductions: NONE
Bonus Points:(+1) Box Buy; (+1) Pleasantly complex and consistent across multiple samples
