AshMap
Overview
There is a moment, somewhere around the second inch of an Acid Liquid 1400cc, when the cigar stops being a debate and becomes a mood. The cold draw announces itself before flame ever touches leaf — jasmine and dried rose petal, a cool breath of herbal mint, the kind of aromatic greeting that tells you immediately this is not a traditional Nicaraguan puro and has no interest in pretending otherwise. When lit, the first third arrives in waves: sweet tea and anise rolling over a soft vanilla cream that coats the tongue like a warm pastry glaze. The infusion is unapologetically front and center here, and the tobacco seems content to wait its turn.
That patience pays off in the second third. The Nicaraguan long-leaf begins to surface — a gentle earthiness, a thread of mild cedar — threading through lavender and chamomile as the floral register shifts from bright to soothing. The sweetness tempers just enough to keep the smoke from tipping into cloying territory, and a subtle creaminess on the retrohale rounds the transition. This is where the 1400cc earns its place within the Kuba Kuba family of blends: the base tobacco is recognizable, but the infusion profile is distinctly its own, a botanical signature that never fully surrenders the stage.
The final third introduces mild woody spice and a whisper of baking spice — clove, a light dusting of cinnamon — as the infusion thins and the leaf asserts itself more directly. The finish is medium-long, lingering with botanical sweetness and a soft, slightly herbaceous aftertaste that fades cleanly. Construction holds firm through the nub, the draw consistently open and effortless, the burn even and slow, producing a pale grey ash that stacks in one-inch columns. Occasional touch-ups arise from the infusion, but nothing that interrupts the arc.
What the 1400cc represents, historically, matters as much as what it delivers in the hand. Jonathan Drew built an empire on this blueprint — an infused cigar that expanded the category to younger and female demographics in ways the traditional market never anticipated. For the seasoned aficionado, it is a novelty at best, a curiosity at worst. But dismiss it entirely and you miss the point. This is arguably the most successful infused cigar ever produced, and it smokes like it knows exactly what it is.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Nicaraguan Connecticut Shade (infused) — Natural |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Nicaraguan long-leaf filler, infused with proprietary botanical and herbal blends developed by Jonathan Drew and Marvin |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua — Drew Estate factory |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo |
| Size | 6 x 52 |
| Strength | Mild-Medium |
| Price | $12–$16 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Tobacco aged and then subjected to Drew Estate's proprietary infusion process; no extended post-infusion aging declared |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with prominent botanical sweetness — jasmine, dried rose petal, and a distinct herbal mint note. On light, the palate receives waves of sweet tea, anise, and a soft vanilla cream that coats the tongue immediately. The infusion is front and center, with little pretense of traditional tobacco expression at this stage.
Second Third
The mid-section begins to reveal the Nicaraguan leaf beneath the infusion — a gentle earthiness and mild cedar emerge alongside the continuing herbal sweetness. Floral notes evolve toward lavender and chamomile, with a subtle creaminess on the retrohale. The sweetness tempers slightly, giving just enough balance to keep the smoke from being cloying.
Final Third
The final third introduces a mild woody spice and a hint of baking spice — clove and light cinnamon — as the infusion thins slightly and the tobacco's natural profile asserts itself more. The finish is medium-long with lingering botanical sweetness and a soft, slightly herbaceous aftertaste. Construction typically holds firm through to the nub.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Draw is consistently open and effortless, a hallmark of Drew Estate's quality control on the Acid line. Burn is even and slow, producing a soft, pale grey ash that holds in one-inch columns; the infusion occasionally causes minor touch-ups but nothing that disrupts the experience.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A light, floral rum such as Ron Barceló Imperial or a honey-forward bourbon like Maker's Mark 46 — avoid heavily peated Scotch, which will clash violently with the botanical infusion.
Wine
A Gewürztraminer from Alsace (e.g., Trimbach or Hugel) or a lightly sweet Riesling Spätlese from the Mosel — the wine's floral and honeyed aromatics harmonize naturally with the cigar's infusion profile.
Non-Alcoholic
A lightly sweetened jasmine green tea or a high-quality herbal chamomile blend — the botanicals in the tea mirror the cigar's infusion and create a seamless pairing without competition.
Who Should Smoke This?
Picture someone on a screened porch in late spring, the kind of evening where the air itself smells like honeysuckle and cut grass. They have smoked perhaps a dozen cigars in their life — maybe a Connecticut Shade here, a flavored cigarillo there — and they are not yet ready for a full-bodied Nicaraguan puro, nor do they want one. They want something that feels like a ritual without demanding reverence. The 1400cc meets them exactly there: the jasmine and vanilla cream on the front end reward a palate that still prefers sweetness, while the emerging cedar and clove in the final third quietly introduce what tobacco can do when the infusion steps back. It is a gateway, and it knows it. For the experienced smoker, this is the cigar you hand to a curious friend at a barbecue — and then quietly enjoy one yourself, because the mood it creates is genuinely pleasant.
Bottom Line
The Acid Liquid 1400cc is not a cigar for purists, and it does not apologize for that — nor should it. It is a historically significant, impeccably constructed infused cigar that delivers exactly what it promises: a 60-to-75-minute botanical escape with enough tobacco backbone to keep things interesting. Smoke it on its own terms, and it rewards you.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Acid 1400cc cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Acid by Drew Estate Liquid 1400cc a strong cigar?
No. It is rated Mild-Medium (2/5) on the strength scale. Physically, that means minimal nicotine punch — you will not feel lightheaded or overwhelmed, even on an empty stomach. The infusion delivers most of the flavor impact, while the Nicaraguan long-leaf filler provides a gentle, supporting body rather than a heavy one.
What does Acid by Drew Estate Liquid 1400cc taste like?
The first third leads with jasmine, dried rose petal, herbal mint, sweet tea, anise, and vanilla cream. The second third shifts toward lavender, chamomile, gentle earthiness, and mild cedar with a creamy retrohale. The final third introduces clove, light cinnamon, and mild woody spice, finishing with lingering botanical sweetness and a soft herbaceous aftertaste.
How long does Acid by Drew Estate Liquid 1400cc take to smoke?
Expect 60 to 75 minutes. The Torpedo vitola at 6 x 52 inches is a substantial smoke, and the even, slow burn typical of this blend stretches the experience. The open draw means you will not fight the cigar, but the infusion and Nicaraguan filler reward a measured pace rather than rapid puffing.
What is the best pairing for Acid by Drew Estate Liquid 1400cc?
A light, floral rum such as Ron Barceló Imperial or a honey-forward bourbon like Maker's Mark 46 works beautifully — the spirits' sweetness harmonizes with the botanical infusion. For wine, choose an Alsace Gewürztraminer (Trimbach or Hugel) or a Mosel Riesling Spätlese; their floral and honeyed aromatics mirror the cigar. Avoid heavily peated Scotch, which clashes violently with the botanicals. Non-alcoholic options include lightly sweetened jasmine green tea or high-quality chamomile blend.
Is Acid by Drew Estate Liquid 1400cc good for beginners?
Yes, with context. The Mild-Medium strength and open draw make it physically approachable for new smokers, and the botanical sweetness is immediately rewarding. At $12–$16 per cigar, it is an affordable way to explore whether infused cigars suit your palate. However, beginners should know this is not a traditional tobacco experience — it is a flavored cigar, and that is the point.
Where can I buy Acid by Drew Estate Liquid 1400cc?
This cigar is sold through premium tobacco retailers, including dedicated brick-and-mortar cigar shops, licensed online cigar retailers, and select lounges that carry the Drew Estate portfolio. Because it is a widely distributed everyday-tier cigar, most shops that stock Acid by Drew Estate will either have it in stock or be able to order it.
What is the price of Acid by Drew Estate Liquid 1400cc?
The Acid Liquid 1400cc typically retails between $12 and $16 per cigar. At that price point, it sits in the everyday tier — accessible enough for regular enjoyment, but not so inexpensive that construction or tobacco quality suffers. Box purchases often bring the per-cigar cost toward the lower end of that range.
Is Acid by Drew Estate Liquid 1400cc worth aging?
Generally, no. The tobacco is aged and then subjected to Drew Estate's proprietary infusion process, with no extended post-infusion aging declared. The Nicaraguan Connecticut Shade wrapper and infused botanicals are designed to deliver their intended profile fresh. Aging may mute the floral and herbal notes that define the blend, diminishing the very characteristics that make it distinctive.
What wrapper does Acid by Drew Estate Liquid 1400cc use?
It uses a Nicaraguan Connecticut Shade (infused) wrapper — a medium tan to light caramel leaf with a slightly toothy texture and matte finish. The wrapper contributes a gentle creaminess and subtle sweetness to the smoke, while also serving as a canvas for the infusion process that defines the Acid line's aromatic character.
Where is Acid by Drew Estate Liquid 1400cc made?
It is hand-rolled at Drew Estate's La Gran Fabrica in Estelí, Nicaragua. The factory is the production home for the entire Acid line, which launched in the late 1990s and revolutionized the infused cigar category. The 1400cc is part of the broader Acid Liquid series and shares its base tobacco lineage with the Kuba Kuba family of blends.