AshMap
Overview
There is a quiet rebellion in the Undercrown Sun Grown Belicoso. While the cigar world chases ever-darker, ever-stronger expressions, Drew Estate’s lighter-hued stepchild dares to whisper. It is a smoke that doesn’t demand your attention; it seduces it. From the first cold draw, the tapered head funnels a scent of sweet hay and almond paste, a promise of restraint that feels almost radical in the post-maduro era. This is the cigar for the smoker who has forgotten that complexity can be a gentle unfolding, not a hammer blow. The golden Colorado Claro wrapper, silky and faintly oily, is the first act of a performance built on texture as much as taste.
Lighting the foot is an exercise in patience rewarded. The opening third is a study in pale, golden light: toasted almond and fresh cream interlace with a whisper of wildflower honey that never tips into syrup. A backbone of gentle cedar emerges, not as construction lumber but as a fine, aromatic pencil shaving. The retrohale delivers a mild white pepper that tingles rather than burns, a signal that this blend has a spine beneath its soft exterior. The ash, a firm light grey, holds with a stubbornness that speaks to TABSA’s precision. By the inch mark, the burn line is a razor’s edge, and the smoke is already coating the palate with a creamy, almost buttery residue.
As the midpoint approaches, the narrative shifts from introduction to development. The creaminess deepens into a full-bodied viscosity, and the honey note crystallizes into something more pronounced, a golden syrup that clings to the roof of the mouth. Roasted cashew joins the almond, adding a savory depth that balances the sweetness. The Nicaraguan Habano binder begins to flex its muscle, introducing a mild earthy leather undertone—not the barnyard funk of a Ligero-heavy blend, but the smell of a well-worn, high-quality glove. The balance here is the defining characteristic; the pepper recedes to a background hum, allowing the sweetness and earth to dance in a controlled tango. It is a masterclass in equilibrium, where no single element overstays its welcome.
In the final third, the Belicoso’s tapered geometry earns its keep. The flavors concentrate, gaining a dry oak intensity that was absent earlier. Warm cinnamon and a lingering sweet nuttiness—think praline—intertwine, while a gentle uptick in pepper on the finish prevents the profile from becoming cloying. The smoke remains cool and composed to the nub, a testament to the entubar bunching method. This is not a cigar that fades; it concludes with a deliberate, elegant bow. The Undercrown Sun Grown Belicoso is a reminder that Drew Estate’s genius isn’t just in the bold, but in the nuanced. It is the thinking smoker’s everyday cigar, a quiet masterpiece that rewards those who listen closely.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Sun Grown Connecticut Shade — Colorado Claro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan Habano |
| Filler | Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers, aged tobaccos from Jalapa, Estelí, and Danlí |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua — TABSA factory (Drew Estate) |
| Vitola / Shape | Belicoso |
| Size | 6.13 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $10–$13 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged prior to rolling; no extended post-rolling rest noted publicly |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The light opens with toasted almond, fresh cream, and a subtle floral note from the Ecuadorian wrapper. A gentle cedar backbone emerges alongside pale hay and mild white pepper on the retrohale. Incredibly smooth and accessible from the first draw.
Second Third
The creaminess deepens and a pronounced honey sweetness takes center stage, layered with roasted cashew and light baking spice. The Nicaraguan Habano binder begins to assert itself with a mild earthy leather undertone. Balance here is the hallmark — nothing overpowers.
Final Third
The finish becomes slightly more complex with dry oak, warm cinnamon, and a lingering sweet nuttiness. A gentle uptick in pepper prevents any sweetness from becoming cloying. The tapered head continues to concentrate flavors elegantly through the close.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is characteristically precise from TABSA — the draw is effortless with ideal resistance, and the burn line is razor-straight producing a firm, light grey ash that holds well past an inch. One of the more reliable construction records in the everyday premium segment.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Highland single malt Scotch (Glenmorangie 10 or Dalmore 12) or a light aged rum such as Zacapa 23 — both complement the honey and nut profile without overwhelming it
Wine
Lightly oaked Chardonnay (white Burgundy, Meursault-style) or a dry Viognier — the floral and cream notes on both sides mirror beautifully
Non-Alcoholic
Medium-roast Ethiopian pour-over or a lightly sweetened café con leche — the citrus brightness of the coffee enhances the wrapper's floral character
Who Should Smoke This?
Meet Daniel. He’s been smoking for about three years, having cut his teeth on Connecticuts and mild maduros, but he’s recently started eyeing the heavier Nicaraguan hitters with a mix of curiosity and intimidation. It’s a Tuesday evening, and he’s just finished a long project deadline. He pours a glass of Dalmore 12, sits on his quiet back porch, and wants something that feels substantial but won’t knock him off his chair. He’s tired of the one-dimensional sweetness of his usual claro and craves a hint of that earthy, leathery depth he’s read about. This Belicoso is his bridge. It gives him the creamy, honeyed comfort he knows, but layers in that subtle Habano binder kick and a whisper of pepper that makes him feel like he’s graduated. It’s a smoke that makes him feel like a more discerning aficionado without requiring him to wrestle with a full-bodied monster. He finishes it feeling satisfied, not overwhelmed, and a little more confident for his next step into the darker side of the humidor.
Bottom Line
The Undercrown Sun Grown Belicoso is a masterclass in balance, proving that a medium-bodied cigar can deliver profound complexity. It is the sleeper hit of the Drew Estate lineup and an essential smoke for anyone who believes nuance is the ultimate luxury.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Undercrown Sun Grown cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Undercrown Sun Grown Belicoso a strong cigar?
No, it is rated Medium (3/5) on the strength scale. Physically, this means you will feel a pleasant, warming sensation and a mild nicotine buzz, but you won't experience the head rush or palate fatigue associated with full-bodied cigars. It is strong enough to be satisfying after a meal but mild enough to be enjoyed on an empty stomach or as a morning smoke.
What does Undercrown Sun Grown Belicoso taste like?
The flavor profile evolves in three distinct acts. It opens with toasted almond, fresh cream, and a subtle floral note over a gentle cedar backbone. The middle third introduces a pronounced honey sweetness, roasted cashew, and a mild earthy leather undertone. The finale brings dry oak, warm cinnamon, and a lingering sweet nuttiness, with a gentle uptick in white pepper.
How long does Undercrown Sun Grown Belicoso take to smoke?
Given its Belicoso vitola and 6.13 x 52 dimensions, you should budget for a 75 to 90 minute smoking session. The tapered head concentrates the draw, which can slow the burn slightly, encouraging a leisurely pace to fully appreciate the flavor transitions.
What is the best pairing for Undercrown Sun Grown Belicoso?
A Highland single malt Scotch like Glenmorangie 10 or Dalmore 12 is an ideal companion. The Scotch's honeyed, citrus notes and gentle oak will mirror and amplify the cigar's honey and roasted nut core without overpowering its delicate floral wrapper character. The slight salinity in the malt also helps to cleanse the palate between puffs.
Is Undercrown Sun Grown Belicoso good for beginners?
Yes, it is an excellent choice for a beginner who is ready to move beyond mild Connecticuts. Its Medium strength is forgiving, and the flavor profile is approachable and sweet, without harsh or overpowering notes. However, at $10–$13 per cigar, it is a premium investment for a novice; a more budget-friendly option might be better for daily practice, but this is a perfect weekend treat to learn what quality construction and balance taste like.
Where can I buy Undercrown Sun Grown Belicoso?
You can find this cigar at most well-stocked brick-and-mortar tobacconists, particularly those that carry a wide selection of Drew Estate products. Online, reputable retailers like Cigar.com, Famous Smoke Shop, and Neptune Cigars typically stock it. Given its popularity, it is rarely hard to find, but buying from a local shop allows you to inspect the wrapper for any blemishes before purchase.
What is the price of Undercrown Sun Grown Belicoso?
The Undercrown Sun Grown Belicoso typically retails for between $10 and $13 per single cigar. This price point places it firmly in the 'Everyday Premium' tier, offering a high-quality, hand-rolled experience that undercuts many of its competitors in the same flavor and strength bracket.
Is Undercrown Sun Grown Belicoso worth aging?
While the tobaccos are aged prior to rolling, this cigar is blended to be enjoyed relatively young. The Ecuadorian Sun Grown Connecticut Shade wrapper is delicate, and extended humidor aging (beyond 2-3 years) may mute its subtle floral and honey notes, flattening the profile. We recommend smoking it within the first year or two of purchase to experience its intended vibrancy and balance.
What wrapper does Undercrown Sun Grown Belicoso use?
It uses an Ecuadorian Sun Grown Connecticut Shade wrapper. This is a unique leaf that is grown in Ecuador but from Connecticut seed genetics, and it is exposed to more sun than traditional shade-grown tobacco. This process yields a golden-honey color and contributes the cigar's signature silky texture, subtle floral aroma, and a touch of extra richness compared to a standard Connecticut Shade leaf.
Where is Undercrown Sun Grown Belicoso made?
It is hand-rolled at the TABSA factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, which is Drew Estate's primary production facility. The cigars are crafted using the Cuban entubar bunching method, a technique where the filler leaves are rolled into tubes to allow for better airflow and a more even burn, contributing to the cigar's flawless construction and effortless draw.