Acid — Heritage & History

Acid was born in 1999 at Drew Estate's La Gran Fabrica in Estelí, Nicaragua, when founder Jonathan Drew began experimenting with infusing tobacco in a small, dedicated facility—now known as the ACID factory. The brand broke every convention of the era by treating cigar leaf as a canvas for botanical extracts, herbs, and essential oils, creating a line that smelled like a head shop and smoked like a cigar. The debut of Kuba Kuba—a robusto wrapped in Indonesian Sumatra—turned Acid into a phenomenon, and the subsequent Blondie, with its Connecticut Shade wrapper and sweet tip, became a counter-culture staple sold in tins. Acid's early success forced the industry to acknowledge a new category: the infused premium cigar. By the mid-2000s, the brand had expanded into maduro expressions like the Atom Maduro and the perfecto-shaped Deep Dish, proving that infusion could coexist with darker, fermented leaf. Today, Acid remains a pillar of Drew Estate's portfolio, produced in Estelí and distributed globally, a testament to the risk-taking that defined its origin.

Blending Philosophy

Acid's blending approach diverges from traditional cigar making by prioritizing infusion as a core construction step, not an afterthought. The brand sources a range of wrappers—from sun-grown Honduran Maduro to Nicaraguan Connecticut Shade—and treats each with botanical oils and extracts in a dedicated factory, allowing the leaf to absorb character before rolling. This process is applied selectively: the Kuba Kuba uses a sweetened Sumatra wrapper to balance its mild-medium body, while the Nasty, a petit corona, leans on a darker profile to carry the infusion without overwhelming. Acid's construction standards emphasize consistency in draw and burn, even in small formats like the Krush Connecticut cigarillo, ensuring the added flavors don't compromise structural integrity. The result is a line that blurs the line between cigar and aromatic experience, with each vitola designed to showcase a different facet of the infusion—whether it's the honeyed notes of the Blondie or the earthier depth of the Toast.

Flavor Profile

Across the Acid range, smokers encounter a signature bouquet of sweet botanicals—often honey, vanilla, and dried fruit—layered over a tobacco base that varies by wrapper. The Blondie delivers a mild, creamy smoke with notes of cedar and a sugary tip, while the Kuba Kuba offers a medium-bodied profile with hints of dark cocoa and a subtle spice from its Sumatra leaf. Maduro expressions like the Atom Maduro and Deep Dish introduce leather and white pepper, grounding the sweetness with a savory edge. The Extra Ordinary Larry, a gordo, amplifies the infusion, yielding a bold yet mild-medium smoke with notes of dried cherry and a lingering herbal finish. Across the board, the strength remains mild to mild-medium, but the flavor intensity can be surprisingly robust, especially in the Liquid lonsdale, which showcases a syrupy, almost liqueur-like character. Smokers should expect a sweet, aromatic experience that diverges sharply from traditional, uninfused cigars.

Best for Beginners

For a newcomer, the Blondie is the ideal entry point. This small panatela, priced around $8–$12 per cigar (often sold in tins of 10), offers a mild strength that won't overwhelm. Expect flavors of honey, vanilla, and a touch of cedar, with a sweetened tip that makes the first few puffs approachable. It smokes for about 30–45 minutes, perfect for a short session. The Blondie's gentle profile and low nicotine make it a forgiving introduction to the Acid style.

Acid Cigar Lineup

Explore 12 Acid cigars in the AshMap encyclopedia:

  • 1400cc — Torpedo, Mild-Medium · $9–$13 per cigar
  • Atom Maduro — Small Panatela / Petit Corona, Mild-Medium · $8–$11 per cigar
  • Blondie — Small Panatela / Petite Corona, Mild · $8–$12 per cigar (typically sold in tins of 10)
  • C-Note — Perfecto, Mild-Medium · $9–$13 per cigar
  • Deep Dish — Perfecto, Mild-Medium · $10–$14 per cigar
  • Extra Ordinary Larry — Gordo, Mild-Medium · $12–$16 per cigar
  • Krush Connecticut — Small Cigarillo / Cigarillo, Mild · $3–$5 per cigar (typically sold in tins of 10)
  • Kuba Kuba — Robusto, Mild-Medium · $11–$14 per cigar
  • Liquid — Lonsdale, Mild · $11–$15 per cigar
  • Nasty — Petit Corona, Mild-Medium · $9–$13 per cigar
  • One — Robusto, Mild-Medium · $12–$16 per cigar
  • Toast — Petit Corona, Mild-Medium · $8–$11 per cigar

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are Acid cigars made?

Acid cigars are produced in Estelí, Nicaragua, at Drew Estate's La Gran Fabrica and the dedicated ACID factory within the same campus. The brand is a core part of Drew Estate's Nicaraguan operations.

What is Acid known for?

Acid is known for pioneering the infused premium cigar category, using botanical extracts and essential oils to create aromatic, sweet-flavored smokes. The Kuba Kuba and Blondie are signature blends that have achieved cult status since the late 1990s.

Are Acid cigars strong?

No, Acid cigars are generally mild to mild-medium in strength. The lineup includes mild options like the Blondie and Krush Connecticut, while most others, such as the Kuba Kuba and Nasty, sit at mild-medium. They are not considered strong in terms of nicotine impact.

What is the best Acid cigar for beginners?

The Blondie is the best Acid for beginners due to its mild strength, sweetened tip, and approachable flavors of honey and vanilla. Its small size and lower price point (often in tins) also make it a low-risk introduction to the brand.

How much do Acid cigars cost?

Acid cigars range from about $3–$5 for the Krush Connecticut cigarillo (in tins of 10) to $12–$16 for larger formats like the Extra Ordinary Larry and One. Most core lines, such as the Kuba Kuba and Blondie, fall between $8 and $14 per cigar.

What wrapper does Acid use?

Acid uses a variety of wrappers, including Indonesian Sumatra, Honduran Maduro (sun-grown, fermented), Honduran Connecticut Shade, Indonesian, Nicaraguan Connecticut Shade (infused), Connecticut Shade from the USA (Connecticut River Valley), and Nicaraguan Connecticut Shade-style. The specific wrapper varies by line, with maduro options like the Atom Maduro and Connecticut Shade on the Blondie.

Are Acid cigars Cuban?

No, Acid cigars are not Cuban. They are made in Estelí, Nicaragua, at Drew Estate's La Gran Fabrica and the ACID factory. The brand has no connection to Cuba, and its tobaccos are sourced from Nicaragua, Honduras, Indonesia, and the USA.

Where can I buy Acid cigars?

Acid cigars are widely available at brick-and-mortar cigar shops, particularly those that carry Drew Estate products. They can also be purchased online from major retailers like Cigars International, Famous Smoke Shop, and Holt's, as well as directly from Drew Estate's website. Tins of Blondie and Krush Connecticut are common in convenience stores and gas stations, but for the full lineup, a specialty retailer is recommended.