Acid 1400cc — Heritage & History

In the mid-1990s, Jonathan Drew returned from a trip to Southeast Asia with a suitcase of exotic botanicals and a radical idea: to infuse premium, long-filler tobacco with herbs and essential oils. The result, launched in 1999 under the Acid brand, was Kuba Kuba, a cigar that tasted like nothing else in the humidor—sweet, floral, and unmistakably perfumed. While traditionalists scoffed, Acid became Drew Estate's commercial lifeline, funding the construction of La Gran Fabrica in Estelí, Nicaragua, in 2005. The 1400cc line, named for a motorcycle engine displacement, expanded the range into smaller formats like the Nasty and the tin-packaged Krush Connecticut, making the infused experience portable and affordable. Acid's success allowed Drew Estate to later produce uninfused classics like Liga Privada, but the 1400cc series remains the brand's rebellious origin story—a proof that the cigar industry's future could be flavored, not just fermented.

Blending Philosophy

Acid 1400cc's blending approach is defined by infusion as a primary construction step, not an afterthought. The tobaccos—ranging from Indonesian Maduro to Nicaraguan Broadleaf—are aged and then treated with a proprietary botanical infusion process that incorporates herbs, essential oils, and extracts from flowers and spices. This is not a dipped or sprayed wrapper; the infusion penetrates the filler, creating a uniform flavor delivery from foot to nub. The brand's range demonstrates a tiered intensity: the Blondie uses a lighter Nicaraguan Connecticut Shade-style leaf for a subtler profile, while the Deep Dish perfecto employs a heavier Indonesian Sumatra wrapper to anchor the sweetness with earthier notes. The Krush Sumatra cigarillo format shows a deliberate scaling down of both size and strength, proving the infusion system works across vitolas without overwhelming the smoker.

Flavor Profile

Across the 1400cc range, smokers consistently encounter a sweet, almost dessert-like opening—often described as dried fruit, vanilla, or a faint honeyed tea note—layered over a base of cedar and mild leather. The Cold Infusion torpedo leans into a cooling mentholated sensation on the retrohale, paired with dark cocoa and a whisper of white pepper. The Kuba Kuba robusto is the benchmark: a creamy, floral smoke with notes of fig and a lingering sweetness on the lips. Strength is uniformly mild to mild-medium; even the Extra Ordinary Larry belicoso, which uses a darker wrapper, stays within that band, prioritizing aromatic complexity over nicotine impact. The Nasty cigarillo offers a shorter, more concentrated burst of the same character, with a slightly sharper spice on the finish.

Best for Beginners

For a newcomer, the Blondie is the ideal entry point. At mild strength and roughly $7–$10, it's a petite panatela that smokes in about 30–40 minutes, making it a low-commitment introduction. Expect a gentle sweetness of vanilla and dried apricot over a soft cedar base, with none of the harshness that can accompany larger infused formats. The lighter Connecticut Shade-style wrapper keeps the botanical infusion subtle, letting you taste the Acid signature without being overwhelmed.

Acid 1400cc Cigar Lineup

Explore 12 Acid 1400cc cigars in the AshMap encyclopedia:

  • Atom Maduro — Small Panatela / Petit Corona, Mild-Medium · $7–$10 per cigar
  • Blondie — Small Panatela / Petite, Mild · $7–$10 per cigar
  • Cold Infusion — Torpedo, Mild-Medium · $10–$14 per cigar
  • Deep Dish — Perfecto, Mild-Medium · $12–$16 per cigar
  • Extra Ordinary Larry — Belicoso, Mild-Medium · $12–$16 per cigar
  • Jewel Cameroon — Torpedo, Mild-Medium · $12–$16 per cigar
  • Krush Connecticut — Small Panatela / Cigarillo, Mild · $3–$5 per cigar (typically sold in tins of 10 or boxes)
  • Krush Sumatra — Small Cigarillo / Krush Format, Mild · $3–$5 per cigar; typically sold in tins of 10
  • Kuba Kuba — Robusto, Mild-Medium · $10–$13 per cigar
  • Liquid — Torpedo, Mild-Medium · $12–$16 per cigar
  • Nasty — Small Panatela / Cigarillo, Mild-Medium · $4–$7 per cigar
  • One — Torpedo, Mild-Medium · $12–$16 per cigar

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are Acid 1400cc cigars made?

All Acid 1400cc cigars are produced at Drew Estate's La Gran Fabrica in Estelí, Nicaragua. This is the same factory that rolls Liga Privada and other Drew Estate lines, though Acid blends are kept on separate production lines to prevent cross-contamination of flavors.

What is Acid 1400cc known for?

Acid 1400cc is known for pioneering the modern infused cigar category. The Kuba Kuba robusto became a cultural phenomenon in the early 2000s, and the line's use of botanical oils—rather than simple flavor sprays—set it apart from cheaper competitors. The Krush tins also popularized the premium cigarillo format for casual smokers.

Are Acid 1400cc cigars strong?

No. The entire 1400cc lineup sits at mild to mild-medium strength. Even the darkest wrapper in the range, the Indonesian Maduro used on the Atom, does not push nicotine past a medium threshold. The focus is on aromatic flavor, not strength.

What is the best Acid 1400cc cigar for beginners?

The Blondie is the best starting point. Its petite size, mild strength, and lighter wrapper make the infusion feel delicate rather than syrupy. It's also priced accessibly, so a beginner can try it without a significant investment.

How much do Acid 1400cc cigars cost?

Prices vary by format. The Krush Connecticut and Krush Sumatra cigarillos are the most affordable at $3–$5 per cigar, typically sold in tins of 10. The Nasty runs $4–$7. Core vitolas like the Kuba Kuba cost $10–$13, while larger formats—Cold Infusion, Deep Dish, Extra Ordinary Larry, Jewel Cameroon, Liquid, and One—range from $10–$16 per cigar.

What wrapper does Acid 1400cc use?

The lineup is wrapper-diverse. You'll find Indonesian Maduro (Atom), Nicaraguan Connecticut Shade-style light natural leaf (Blondie), Indonesian Sumatra (Deep Dish, Kuba Kuba), Nicaraguan Broadleaf (Nasty), Nicaraguan Connecticut Shade infused (Liquid), African Cameroon varietal (Jewel Cameroon), Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade (Krush Connecticut), Ecuadorian Sumatra (Krush Sumatra), and a Nicaraguan Connecticut Shade with candela-influenced natural leaf (One).

Are Acid 1400cc cigars Cuban?

No. They are Nicaraguan puros in terms of production—all rolling occurs at Drew Estate's La Gran Fabrica in Estelí, Nicaragua. The tobaccos themselves are sourced from multiple countries, including Indonesia, Cameroon, and Ecuador, but none from Cuba.

Where can I buy Acid 1400cc cigars?

Acid 1400cc cigars are widely available at brick-and-mortar tobacconists that stock Drew Estate products. Online retailers like Cigars International, Famous Smoke Shop, and Neptune Cigars carry the full line. The Krush tins are often found at convenience stores and gas stations with premium cigar sections, given their impulse-buy price point.