Pre-light Experience

The wrapper is a nice light tan color with a couple of tiny veins present. The seams are really well blended and the only lines you can really see are the transitions where the caps for the foot and head start. The head has a single cap that is finished off with a coiled up pigtail. There are two bands, the primary being the standard Undercrown design with a white and gold combination. The second is a foot band that designates the Shade line. The aroma from the wrapper is a very sweet hay note, similar to if you just put your face right up to a bale of still slightly green hay. The aroma from the foot is very faint and is a mix of hay and leather. The pre-light draw is a mix of slightly sweet hay and bread.

First Third

As the cigar begins, it presents flavors of light wood and baking spice. At a quarter inch in, some bready notes join the light wood and baking spice. At a half inch in, the flavors all mix together very nicely for a smooth but slightly spicy profile. The retrohale carries the wood and bread notes, but not the spice. As the third comes to a close, the bread gains a slight toasty note to go along with the light wood. The baking spice also remains in the background. The strength in this third was slightly below medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the toasty bread and light wood continue. There are also slight hints of black tea from time to time. At a half inch in, a slight wood bitterness joins the light wood and toasty bread notes. The black tea still pops in from time to time. As the third comes to a close, the bread note goes away and the light wood remains and some baking spice returns to the background. The strength in this third was right at medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the light wood note remains along with some baking spice in the background. The flavor profile remains pretty constant throughout the third with the black tea note peeking in and out. Strength in this third remained right at the medium level.

Burn

A slightly skewed burn in the first and final thirds didn’t cause much concern. A mistake on my part when removing the band knocked the ash off at the halfway mark, but I could see it holding on for close to the entire cigar otherwise.

Draw

The draw was perfect, even through the ring gauge transitions of this unique vitola.

Overall

I’ve liked the Shade through the various vitolas I’ve tried and this Flying Pig is no different. It is a really good Connecticut Shade offering that doesn’t produce any of the grassy notes some do. Light wood, bread and baking spice was the common theme throughout from a medium strength profile. Fans of traditional Connecticuts would really like this cigar as would most smokers who like medium strength experiences. The Flying Pig vitola has always carried its own following and this one doesn’t disappoint. I would have no problem smoking this often and would really love trying it in the morning with some coffee. Go get some.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

7.20

Cost/Point

$1.79

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Drew Estate Undercrown Shade Flying Pig