Let's cut to the chase about Drew Estate's Undercrown Shade Toro Tubo - this 6x50 parejo comes packed in aluminum tubes at $230.63 per 25-count box. The Connecticut Shade wrapper glows like liquid amber, promising that creamy mild-medium experience we chase in morning smokes. Don't let the gentle facade fool you though, there's some sneaky complexity under that golden hood.
The cold draw serves instant cashew butter wrapped in cedar planks. Initial puffs coat the palate with heavy cream texture - think latte foam density without milk sweetness. White pepper tickles the nasal passages around the 1-inch mark, more scent than taste.
Here's where the Honduran fillers flex. The cream evolves into browned butter notes while the cedar takes on pencil shaving sharpness. Watch for occasional nutmeg sparks around the band removal point, especially when paired with black coffee.
Construction holds firm into the last 2 inches. The vanilla undertones ramp up dramatically, crossing into sugar cookie territory. Some testers reported slight tar buildup by nub time - your mileage may vary depending on puff frequency.
The magic combo: Connecticut Shade wrapper from US-grown tents, Indonesian binder, and Nicaraguan/Honduran fillers. This multinational blend achieves what few Connecticuts manage - enough oomph to keep veterans interested without overwhelming newbies. The Nicaraguan content explains those random spice flares mid-smoke.
