The Blackened S84 Toro from Drew Estate arrives as a box-pressed toro measuring 6"x52. Priced at $199.50 for 20 cigars, this Nicaraguan puro uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper over Pennsylvania Broadleaf binder - a curious "light to dark" construction that flips traditional blending logic. My sample showed slight box-press distortion but maintained decent springiness between fingers.
The cold draw reveals dried apricot sweetness. Initial puffs bring cashew butter richness through the nose, with faint white pepper settling on the tongue. Smoke production stays modest - not the typical Drew Estate cloud machine. Burn requires two corrections in the first inch, likely due to the broadleaf binder's density.
Black tea tannins emerge at the halfway point, balancing the opening sweetness. Retrohale develops roasted coffee bean bitterness that clings to the palate. Ash holds firm in one-inch segments. The Pennsylvania broadleaf begins asserting itself with damp earth undertones, though never overwhelms the Connecticut Shade's creamy base.
Last third brings subtle maple syrup notes that some might find cloying. Smoke turns slightly warm despite slow pacing. A nicotine kick surfaces in the final inch - unexpected for the medium rating. Ends with lingering hickory smokiness that outlasts most Connecticuts.
