Ever since I fired up my first LadyKiller by Southern Draw Cigars at Executive Cigar Shop and Lounge here in Melbourne, FL, I knew then that I had to review this magnificent blend. I needed another, but they were limited in supply and at the time limited to just one per person. Fortunately I stopped back in the lounge this past week and was able to purchase another one of these gems and today I am offering you a review of this new release.
The Southern Draw Cigars LadyKiller is one of a number of new releases coming out of Southern Draw this year and in this case it is a limited edition cigar made exclusively for the Limited Cigar Association (LCA), a subsidiary of the Privada Cigar Club. They are available only at LCA shops across the country. Most shops limit the number you can purchase, my shop had a limit of one while I have seen others allowing a max of five.
The flavorful blend is described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian habano maduro
- Binder – Nicaraguan corojo 99 hybrid
- Filler – Estelí criollo 98 viso, Jalapa criollo 98 seco, Condega criollo 98 ligero
The LadyKiller is expressed in a single (6 1/2 x 46) lonsdale vitola with an MSRP of $12.00.
Pre-Light Examination
The Southern Draw Cigars LadyKiller sports an oily, reddish brown, habano wrapper that has a few veins and a mild grit to the touch. The cigar is nicely packed with just the right give along the barrel when given a gentle squeeze here and there. A well applied cap finishes the presentation.
Two bands adorn the cigar that define what this cigar is about. The first band is a declaration that this is a Privada Cigar Club exclusive distribution. It uses a purple, silver, and green motif with the Privada Cigar Club logo centered in the band. The second band is placed just below the first and uses a forest green and silver motif while declaring this as the “LADYKILLER” by Southern Draw Cigars. There is actually a story of the bands. According to the company the name is taken from the flower crocus chrysanthus (LadyKiller) a white and purple flower in the crocus family. The green band on the cigar represents the stalk of the flower and the purple and silver band represents the flower.
Running the Lady Killer along the nose I picked up a spicy and sweet barrel along with extremely enticing notes of chocolate and nuts off the foot.
Slicing the cap straight across the shoulder, I proceeded to give the Lady Killer some extended cold draw puffs. I say extended because this cold draw is just that good. Starting with notes of cocoa and nut the pre-light profile evolves with developing notes of cinnamon spice all joined together to offer an inviting flavor sensation. I will say, I cold puffed on this one for a good 10 minutes before finally lighting it up. Oh yea, the draw was spot on too with just the right amount of restriction.
Cigar Review Notes
- Opens with a medium spicy burn on the nose
- Light grey ash forms on top of a medium thick, slightly wavy char line
- Smoke volume is full, thick, and creamy
- The palate resonates with waves of fruit notes on each early puff
- The early spice lays in the background
- Ash fell in a nice chunk revealing a well formed and centered burn cone
- The pre-light cocoa notes begin to develop deep in the first third
- Cream and coffee notes enter in the second third
- Floral notes join the mix
- Syrupy aroma midway
- Strength ratchets up
- Cocoa notes increase moving through the second third
- Spice also begins to pick up deep in the second third
- The final brings in more spice and strength down to the nub
- Medium to Full in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was just shy of two hours
Final Analysis
The Southern Draw Cigars LadyKiller was a spectacular medium to full strength cigar that started with an extremely enticing pre-light set of aromas and draw. Once fired up I found the burn to be spot on from foot to nub with just a mild wave here and there. The flavors and aromas were just as enticing as the pre-light and well balanced. I know this is very limited in supply but they can still be found in many Limited Cigar Association (LCA) shops nationwide. This is a cigar a seasoned enthusiast would most certainly enjoy and if you are a new cigar smoker I suggest eating something before firing it up. If I could purchase a box I would. I rated this a solid 95.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Wave here and there
Bonus Points: (+1) Box Worthy; (+1) Pleasurable and consistent across Multiple Samples
