Vitola: Toro- 6” x 52 ring gauge
- ~$5.75 MSRP
- Purchased from Burns Tobacconist
Background
For the third time in the last couple years, Drew Estate decided early in 2022 to debut a new cigar as a “mystery blend” to be revealed on a Freestyle Live web broadcast.The first new cigar to be introduced this way was the Undercrown 10 and the second was 20 Acre Farm…so I figured the third one would have “30” figure into the name somewhere. I was wrong.
I didn’t get around to doing this review pre-announcement so there’s really no harm in telling you now that this new cigar wears the Nica Rustica badge, it’s the sub-brand of “Adobe.” This new version consists of Nicaraguan fillers from Esteli and Jalapa, a Brazilian Arapiraca binder, and a Habano wrapper (country undisclosed). They are shipping in 3 sizes at some very attractive price points. I bought a Freestyle Live pack at Burns, and received one from Drew Estate, as well (hey, I wanted a chance to win the prizes and you only get that when you buy the pack!).
Also, I would be remiss in not noting that this is the first time I’ve published here in over a month. I’ve got some thoughts on that in the middle of my look at Nica Rustica Adobe.
Notes
Nica Rustica Adobe is said to retain many of the same characteristics of the original Broadleaf version, although spicier. Once clipped, I got a very good prelight draw that had notes of natural tobacco, hay, citrus, and mild peppers. I got the cigar lighted with little effort and immediately got medium-bodied smoke with flavors of cedar, hay, bell pepper, and natural tobacco.
I’ve thought long and hard about the future of Leaf Enthusiast. I always said I would quit publishing when it became more “work” than “fun.” Sadly, it seems like that time has come. I gave serious thought to quitting last year, in the middle of all the changes that were slamming their way through my life (death of my mother, loss of my job, founding a new company, divorce), but kept it going…partly out of a feeling of obligation, partly from a feeling of wanting something to remain “normal” in the middle of it all. I had hoped that once things settled down a bit I would find more time to devote to these pages…but I’ve found less. My main company, CreativeCompass, continues to grow and get busier with every month. My longer-lasting “secondary” company, Smokey Design Works, remains steadily chaotic. I’m driving less, but spending more time doing the work that I need to do to make money…and spending time with friends…especially one in particular. She encouraged me to at least finish the reviews of cigars I have in my “review humidor” and that is what I’ve decided to do. I should have somewhere around a month’s worth of reviews left.
The NR Adobe is definitely as billed, a “no nonsense” cigar although I have to admit that I haven’t found it quite as interesting as the original expression wearing the Nica Rustica name. To be clear, I never found that one very complex…just good and steady and enjoyable for 45 minutes to an hour…after which time it tended to lose my interest. This one has more woody and grassy notes with a good amount of spice, but I found myself wishing for more pepper, maybe a little extra sweetness…just a little more of “something” to give it more character from the get-go.
I paired this cigar with two beverages. I’ve written enough about Elijah Craig over the years that anyone should know that it’s a go-to Bourbon for me. It’s great, end of story. The other thing I found today was Coca-Cola Starlight (the Zero Sugar version). This “limited edition” product is said to be “Space Flavored.” My science-and-space-loving friend says she’s pretty sure space isn’t nearly so sweet. She noted a cotton-candy flavor to it…maybe that’s supposed to evoke the look of nebula? I liked it, but I wouldn’t do it on a regular basis, I don’t think.
I had hoped at one time to just drop down the frequency of my reviews, while maintaining a regular schedule of other writers. Keith Hollar and Jon Siddle helped with that plan for a while until life intervened with both of them and they had to drop out. If someone wanted to come write under this banner, at this point, it would be welcome. If someone just wanted to outright buy the brand, I would entertain offers.
Nica Rustica is a “relatively bargain brand” for Drew Estate. It celebrates the heritage of Nicaragua without frills or adornment. It’s a premium long-filler, handmade cigar that doesn’t have the richness or complexity of their upper-end lines like Liga Privada, or even their more “mid-line” offerings like Herrera Esteli or Undercrown. When you remember all that, it’s easy to like this cigar…it lives up to expectations very well…I just found that it doesn’t exceed them.
As I start to wind this down, I’m proud of the work that I’ve put in here and won’t just be letting it disappear right away. I will keep the website registration and hosting current for some time. I may even post a new review every now and then…and maybe someday I’ll find the passion to write these reviews has returned fully…along with the time and energy to do them! For now, I’m looking forward to smoking cigars more for the pure enjoyment of smoking them, though.
