Drew Estate Herrera Estel Norteo Robusto Grande

#7 Top 25 Cigars of 2016

94 points, Cigar Aficionado

The Herrera Estel Norteo Robusto Grande is a sophisticated, soft box-pressed smoke that represents the “Northern” soul of Nicaraguan tobacco. Blended by Willy Herrera, this expression utilises a rich, toothy Mexican San Andrs Maduro wrapper to encase a potent core of aged Estel and Jalapa long-fillers. The result is a medium-to-full-bodied experience that prioritises depth and sweetness over aggressive strength, making it a perfect choice for the seasoned palate.

Upon lighting, the Robusto Grande delivers an immediate burst of dark cocoa and rich espresso, beautifully balanced by an undercurrent of natural tobacco sweetness and sweet cedar. As the cigar progresses through its 554 frame, the smoke remains exceptionally creamy, introducing subtle notes of black pepper and earth that linger on a long, clean finish. This is a masterful blend that showcases Drew Estates ability to marry traditional craftsmanship with bold, modern flavour profiles.