Appearance
A chocolate colored wrapper with a couple of prominent veins. The visible seams are tightly wrapped. There is a nice oil sheen on the wrapper. Soft box press with no soft spots.
Aroma
Earth, cocoa powder, cedar and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Closed foot.
Prelight Draw
Earthy, graham cracker, cocoa powder, cedar and spice.
1st
The initial draws bring notes of cedar. After the closed foot burns off the next series of draws, brought notes of sweetness and spice into the mix. The draw is still a bit tight(cheeks are screaming) . The burn is off as well. The spice is developing nicely just past halfway in the 1st/3rd, it’s a cinnamon spice with a pinch of red & black pepper, well balanced and quite enjoyable. By the end of the 1st/3rd the burn is spot on and the draw is just a bit snug.
2nd
The smoke production is at the medium range. The finish is long with notes of cedar, earth, cocoa powder and the aforementioned spice combo. Strength is at medium+. The ash is a medium gray and stacked. Some of the stack lines grow wide causing some consternation as I don’t like dropping ash. So I ash often so it doesn’t affect the smoking experience. Late in the 2nd the draw is effortless, the burn spot on and the smoke production is at the high end of medium range. Strength is at med/full and body is at full.
Final/3rd
The flavor profile has been consistent in flavor but complex with each flavor taking the lead then fading back to balance allowing one of the other flavors to take the lead briefly then changing again. About midway in the final/3rd coffee notes join the profile. Tasty right to the nub.
Overall
The Southern Draw Kudzu Toro provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced profile with nice complexity as it burns. After a challenging start in the 1st/3rd the draw and burn become spot on right to the nub.
Southern Draw Cigars are made at the AJ Fernandez factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.
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