Southern Draw Cedrus Belicoso 3/3/19

 Appearance
A milk chocolate colored wrapper with a few prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped. There is a light oil sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma
Cocoa powder, earth, cedar and spice on the wrapper. Cocoa powder, earth, cedar, dried red fruit and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Earth, dried red fruit, cocoa powder, cedar and spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of heavy earth, cedar and spice. The strength is already at medium+. The draw is a bit snug which I expect due to the Belicoso head. Burn is a bit wavy. About a 1/2”in dried fruit notes join the profile. The ash is light gray and tight. The burn has almost fully self corrected. The draw has opened up nicely. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd
Bready notes join the profile. The profile takes on a creamy texture. The finish is long with notes of heavy earth, cedar, dried red fruit, bread and a mild paprika spice all well balanced with a creamy texture. The smoke production is at the low end of high range. The draw is now effortless. Cocoa powder notes join the profile. Great complexity to this point. The burn got wavy again due to a tunnel. Strength moves to med/full.
Final/3rd
The heavy earth tapers back with the dried red fruit notes becoming more prominent. The burn is still wavy but the tunnel is gone. The spice becomes more like a crushed red pepper with a pinch of black pepper. The very flavorful profile remains complex and well balanced right to the nub.

Overall
The Southern Draw Cedrus Belicoso provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A complex, well balanced and very flavorful profile with great draw(once it opened up) and a mildly erratic burn.
Southern Draw Cigars are made at the AJ Fernandez factory in Esteli Nicaragua. A great smoke that u will want to try.