Pre-light Experience

The wrapper is a deep reddish brown that gets a shade lighter towards the head. It is very rustic looking with some prominent veins that carry a lighter color to them along with some wrinkles on the wrapper. The seams aren’t all that visible due to the ruggedness of the wrapper. There appears to be a double cap with a flag at the top and the foot is enclosed with excess wrapper folded over. There are two bands, the standard Southern Draw band and a secondary one denoting Kudzu Axil. The aroma from the wrapper is distinct barnyard. The aroma from the foot is pretty much the same due to the folded over wrapper, but there is some additional sweetness present. The pre-light draw is a mix of leather, sweet hay and pepper. There is a good amount of spicy tingle on my lips.

Pre-light Experience

The Southern Draw Kudzu Axil Lancero has a a rich and leathery oscuro wrapper. Veins are for the most part well pressed and seams also for the most part seamless. There is a spongy give to the entire cigar, hopefully meaning no issues with the draw. The head is finished off with a well adhered and thick double cap. Nosing the wrapper gives a mixture of barnyard and cedar. Nosing the enclosed foot gives namely a nose tingling white pepper and sweet cedar. Cold draw tells hay, lip and tongue tingling black pepper and dry cardboard.

First Third

Upon lighting, there is an intense mix of cinnamon and wood. At half an inch in, the same intense cinnamon and wood remains. The retrohale carries this same profile. At three quarters of an inch, some cream joins in to cut down the intensity of the cinnamon and creates a nice balance of flavor. At an inch and a quarter, the cinnamon recedes to the background with the creamy wood up front. As the third comes to a close, the cream has really ramped up to become the primary note with the wood as a secondary component. There is still a little bit of cinnamon in the background. The strength in this third was slightly above medium.

First Third

Upon initial light, flavors of dry black pepper as well as dry and sightly gritty earth engulfs the palate. In addition to the spice and earth, a subtle cream and sweetness is tasted. Half inch in, airy bread and dry wood joins the aforementioned notes. Through the retrohale, nose scorching black pepper spice, followed by cedar and bitter nuts. The finish holds long and strong with thick black pepper taking over the entire palate and dry wood. Body is at the medium mark, while strength since about an inch in, transitions from medium to medium full.

Second Third

As this third begins, the wood increases to come back inline with the cream. There is still a slight note of cinnamon on the finish. The retrohale is a very creamy wood. At three quarters of an inch, a slight vegetal note joins in with the creamy wood and cinnamon finish. At an inch in, even with some cream present, the profile is now becoming a bit drying. At an inch and a half, the cream really subsides with the drying wood, now oak, moving to the front. There is still a slight vegetal note and the cinnamon has gone away. As the third comes to a close, the profile becomes slightly less drying. It is still primarily oak with a little bit of cream and vegetal note. The strength in this third is right at medium.

Second Third

The most noticeable change from first third to second third is the decrease in black pepper spice. While the pepper is still a key feature of the profile, it is now better melded with the other flavors. Specifically, smokey wood, elevated levels of cream and bread. On the retrohale, a balanced mixture of black pepper, bread and cedar. The finish continues to be lengthy with tapered black pepper, wood bitterness, cedar and faint dry nuttiness. Body and strength continues to be medium and medium full, respectively.

Final Third

As this third begins, it is a very full oak that is slightly drying. The vegetal note is in the background and on the finish. At a quarter inch in, the oak gains a bit of toast and some bitterness joins in on the profile. At an inch in, the cigar begins to warm up which enhances the toasty oak. There is still a slight bitterness in the profile, but it isn’t a bad thing. As the cigar comes to a close, some cream comes back in and pushes out the bitterness and pairs well with the toasty oak. The strength in this third was slightly above medium.

Final Third

The last third has no major changes from the second third. Still the same better melded formula of black pepper spice, bread, cream and smokey wood. The bread note at times is dominant over the other notes. Through the nose, still a balanced mixture of black pepper, bread and cedar. The finish still continuing with lengthy flavors of tapered black pepper, wood bitterness, cedar and faint dry nuttiness. Body and strength is still at medium and medium full, respectively.

Burn

There was a little bit of waviness to the burn, but it always kept up with itself. The ash held on in three quarter inch segments.

Burn

The burn was at all levels fantastic. Total smoking time clocked in at a great 2 hours and 10 minutes. Burn line was razor sharp through the entire time. Ashes held on strong, averaging one inch increments.

Draw

The draw was just slightly tighter than I prefer, but easily let me get nice full draws.

Overall

Some really nice full flavors from this cigar with the cinnamon and wood initially and then settling into some creamy woodiness with a nice vegetal note. Strength may be a bit up there for some, but for those that enjoy medium to medium plus levels, this would fit. This is another nice addition to the Southern Draw portfolio and a good lancero is always a treat. I’ll definitely be enjoying more of these and can easily recommend this to others.

Draw

I had no issues with the draw. The perfect amount of resistance to draw in all the flavors.

Overall

It’s been a while since I have smoked the other vitolas of the Kudzu. Based on rough memory, I find the Axil version to be not only deeper in flavors, but also more pronounced and nuanced. There were also enough transitions to keep me engaged throughout the entire smoking experience. Looking forward to smoking more of these, especially after a nice, fatty steak.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

7.00

Cost/Point

$1.28

Scoring System

Jiunn Liu

SCORE

7.33

Cost/Point

$1.23

Scoring System