In the mid 1990s Drew Estate began their humble origins in Brooklyn, NY where they originally sold cigars from a kiosk just across the East River at the World Trade Center. The company would develop the cigar that would become synonymous with the company in 1999. Like it or not, ACID has become a vital, must have brand within all facets of the cigar industry. Back in 2004, the company celebrated the 5th anniversary with a cigar that utilized the same colors of black and silver. However, that cigar features a Connecticut wrapper and today the company after taking a hiatus from celebrating anniversaries returns ACID returns to celebrate its twentieth with ACID 20.
Cigar Review: ACID 20
Wrapper: San Andres
Binder: Indonesia
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Size: Robusto
The Look: The ACID 20 comes packaged in a silver colored box with the 20th logo on the box lid. Inside the dark looking ACID 20 sits surrounded by loose tobacco in two rows of 10. The box press cigar features a San Andrews wrapper with a lot of discoloration and oils along with some pectin (the vegetable based glue used to hold the cap and band in place). The stick features a dual black and silver band with ACID Twenty on the foot band and a stylized 20 on the primary band. In the hand the cigar is soft in its mid-section a firm and well packed foot.
The Notes: The cold draw of the ACID 20 reminds me of fruit stripe gum, the orange to be specific complete with the powder like coating. The foot of the cigar smells juicy fruit bubble gum with my coworker Jessica stating it smells like the sugar on the wrapper of Juicy Fruit. Once the cigar is toasted and lit there is a quick burst of earthy notes.
Moving into the first third of the cigar the ACID Twenty comes across more like a traditional cigar than not. There is some muted sweetness from the infusion, but there is also enough going on that has me thoroughly interested. There are notes of nuts, earth and wood but on the lips is bubble gum sweetness. On the long finish their is a lingering orange/tangerine component on the finish of the cigar with some pepper through the nose.
In the second third of the cigar some of the sweetness lingers on the lips, but there is enough going where at times that ACID infusion doesn’t serve as the primary note. It’s a really confusing cigar to review because one time there is some orange and juicy fruit sweetness and other times there are notes of earth and leather. As the cigar dwindles in size the aroma is more ACID than not.
In the final third of the ACID 20 the powdered components of fruit stripe gum envelope the palate and they are the dominant force on the aroma of the cigar. It is the portion of the stick that is quintessential ACID, and if that is a good or bad thing depends on how you feel about the brand in general.
The Finish: One of the most polarizing cigars in the industry today is ACID. It has a distinct aroma that is either loved or thoroughly hated. There is a familiarity to the ACID 20 with its pre light notes being very similar to Acid Amigos. However, if you are looking for an ACID that has a similarity to that of a traditional cigar it exists in the ACID 20. Now, don’t get me wrong this is an infused cigar through and through, however the San Andres wrapper stands out above the flavors which was enough to keep me interested.
Score: 87
Price: $9.99 / $188.80
Acid 20
Acid 20 Foot
Acid 20 Burn
