It’s the day before St. Patrick’s Day and the cliche thing to review is a Candela cigar. This year I wanted to be different, so I was think what has a green band? Then I thought about Java Mint. Mint is associated with green and my favorite cookie is the Girl Scout Thin Mint so I said to myself, “Self, this is a cigar to review today.” It was introduced at the 2017 trade show with the Java Red and while made at Drew Estate it is distributed Rocky Patel.
Cigar Review: Drew Estate Java Mint
Wrapper: Brazil
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Size: 5″
Ring Gauge: 42
Vitola: Corona
The Look: Packaged in wooden boxes of 24 cigars, the cigar features a chocolate looking wrapper with a dark green bands. The primary band denotes Java with Drew Estate in a smaller font above it. The secondary band serves as foot band and it denotes the word Mint. Upon closer inspection the wrapper has a brindle like effect to it, thin veins and it’s quite toothy. It’s square pressed to perfection with no voids of tobacco and a well packed foot.
The Notes: When I grabbed the cigar my co-worker said, “hey you know that cigar smells like a Andres Mint candy.” So after thanking Captain Obvious for his insight, I find myself thinking how much this cigar smells like that candy even as it sits on my desk prior to lighting it. The cold draw of the cigar is minty, but it more is along the lines of Chocolate Chip Mint Ice Cream. Once the cigar is lit the first note matches that of the cold draw.
Moving on to the first third of the cigar, the mint and chocolate notes are dominant and the cigar does remind me of a thin mint cookie. I find myself thinking, maybe this is the key to dieting. When the urge for a cookie hits me, I should light up the Java Mint. The retrohale of the cigar is more minty goodness, with a subtle spice.
The second third sees the mint and chocolate notes remain and surprisingly I find myself enjoying this cigar. Around the halfway point the mind and the chocolate begin to pull back ever so slightly and the tobacco begins to showcase itself give the cigar a coffee like nuance. Through the nose the is primarily mint with a touch of black pepper.
The last third of the Java Mint continues as the first two-thirds with notes of chocolate and mint, and the slightest touch of coffee. The retrohale offers even more pepper as the cigar comes to a close.
The Finish: As I stated before I surprisingly enjoyed this cigar, but then again I love chocolate and mint. For me the combination of flavors is the perfect little snack. Could I smoke another one of these? I’m sure one day in the future, but it’ll probably be some time before I do.
Score: 88
Price: $8.49 / $169.99
Drew Estate Java Mint
Drew Estate Java Mint Foot
Drew Estate Java Mint Burn
