Back in August, Southern Draw Cigars released the DECENNIUM, Latin for a ten-year period and their first milestone cigar release since the extremely popular LUSTRUM in 2019. Described as an amazing new blend featuring a carefully selected and well-aged dark Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper (known as “Green Gold” in the municipality that produces this wrapper).
The DECENNIUM is a rare collaboration that has been produced and packaged under the watchful eyes of Ms. Sandy Cobas, Mrs. Giselle Herrera and from the heavenly perch of Ms. Martha Cobas at the award winning and highly acclaimed El Titan de Bronze factory in the historical Little Havana factory, Miami, Florida. Each cigar is 100% handmade, bunched and rolled by their renowned Level 9 rollers; we know what that means – simply the best cigars they can produce – only the most experienced hands have constructed this perfectly blended offering.
In the press release Robert Holt explained:
“DECENNIUM is more than worthy of celebrating our 10 years of service.
“Having personally known Ms. Sandy since her factory opened, smoking a plethora of El Titan de Bronze Gold lanceros and applauding each of their award-winning cigars. DECENNIUM was originally commissioned as an exclusive by one of our oldest retail partners, but things change, and we are honored to now share the cigar with all our valued retail partners (their most loyal customers), and to extend an option for future production of this blend to our supporting retail partners.”
As with each SDC release, there is a charitable component and the SDC family will donate a portion of the sales to a charity that is near and dear to Ms. Sandy Cobas, in her Little Havana community. SDC has chosen to keep the charity confidential for the time being, focusing on retail partners that are participating in this momentous release.
The company shipped 5,000 elegant 3-packs to make the retail price affordable to more consumers, dressed in celebratory, yet whimsically foiled bands which were designed by longtime SDC partner Sancho Oset and printed by Cigar Rings of Nicaragua.
The SDC DECENNIUM is expressed in a single (6 x 46) Lonsdale vitola that was a consensus chosen by SDC and El Titan de Bronze based on sampling of numerous blends and sizes.
The Blend is described as:
- Wrapper: Brazilian – Arapiraca
- Binder: Dominican – Criollo 98
- Filler: Nicaraguan
The company has set an MSRP of $44.99 (3-pack) which works out to be $15.00/cigar.
For this review I sampled 3 of the Southern Draw Decenniums that I received from the company for the purpose of review on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Southern Draw Decennium is a beautiful specimen of a cigar with its toothy, dark brown wrapper that exhibits a nice oily sheen. Ther are a just a few noticeable veins running along the barrel. The cigar is well packed and rolled. A well applied cap finishes the construction.
Two bands adorn the cigar. The primary uses a uses a yellow, green, and silver (holographic) color scheme. The band is applied with pride, evenly all around the barrel. The company logo is presented in the center of the band. A secondary footer band is applied that declares this as the 10-year anniversary 2014-2024. 10 Years DECENNIUM.
Running the Southern Draw Decennium along the nose, I was pleasantly greeted with pre-light aromas of spice along the barrel and an array of enticing nut and cocoa off the foot.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar and proceeded to give it some pre-light draws that were just a tad tighter than I normally prefer but by no means is it a clogged pipe. As I cold puff the Southern Draw Decennium I begin to feel where this may go with its warming peppery spice notes growing on every puff joined with an essence of salty butter and cocoa notes.
Using my triple flame torch, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of a strong pepper note joined with a hint of floral and cream. Follow along as I burn this Titan to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- The journey starts with a strong pepper hit to the palate and nasals
- A hint of floral and cream rests behind the pepperiness
- Light grey ash forms on top of a medium thick char line
- Salty and Umami spice develops deep in first third
- Sweet aromas waft off the foot
- Ash fell in a good chunk revealing a well-formed burn cone
- Sweet cream notes move forward – starting in the second third
- Woody aroma evolves in the second third
- A gentle nut essence adds to the profile
- Dark chocolate notes find their way in the profile midway through the burn
- Earthy notes and a hint of pepper and floral deep in second third
- Strength has gradually increased to full
- Mild jag in burn
- Peppery spice increases in final with a touch of fruit and cream
- Full strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 30 minutes
Final Analysis
The Southern Draw Decennium journey begins with a bold explosion of pepper that tantalizes both the palate and the nasal passages. Beneath this initial spiciness, a delicate hint of floral notes and creamy undertones linger, adding depth to the experience. As the first third unfolds, savory umami and a touch of saltiness develop, creating a rich tapestry of flavor, while sweet aromas waft gently from the foot of the cigar. Transitioning into the second third, sweet cream notes emerge, weaving seamlessly into the profile. The aroma evolves further, with woody undertones making their presence felt, accompanied by a gentle essence of nuts that enriches the complexity.
Midway through the burn, dark chocolate notes begin to weave their way into the mix, adding a luscious richness to the experience. As the second third progresses, earthy tones appear, complemented by subtle hints of pepper and floral notes that deepen the flavor profile. The strength of the cigar steadily increases, culminating in a full-bodied experience. In the final third, the peppery spice intensifies, along with a surprising touch of fruitiness and cream that rounds out the journey beautifully. This is certainly a cigar for the most experienced enthusiast and clocks in at full strength – a strength that gradually increases through the journey. This is most certainly worth buying multiple 3-packs. I rate this a solid 96.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Jag in Burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Pleasant and consistent across multiple samples; (+1) Buy multiple 3 packs; (+1) Extremely complex yet balanced
