AshMap
Overview
There is a moment, somewhere in the second inch of the Undercrown Sun Grown Torpedo, when the cigar stops being a value proposition and becomes something closer to a quiet argument for Willy Herrera's range as a blender. The Undercrown line has always been the working smoker's Liga Privada — the same Estelí factory floor, the same obsessive leaf selection, but priced for a Tuesday rather than a milestone. The Sun Grown expression, launched in 2014, was Herrera's rebuttal to anyone who assumed complexity required a dark, oily maduro. He took an Ecuadorian sun-grown Connecticut shade wrapper — a leaf grown in full exposure rather than under cheesecloth, which coaxes out a golden-caramel Colorado Claro tone and a natural sheen — and wrapped it around a Jalapa-forward Nicaraguan core with Dominican long-filler tucked in for lift. The result is a cigar that reads like sunlight through a window: bright, warm, and deceptively layered.
Before the flame even touches the foot, the wrapper tells you what kind of smoke this will be. That silky, caramel-colored leaf smells of dry hay and a faint honeysuckle sweetness, with just enough cedar on the cold draw to signal that the pepper is coming. The torpedo head — tapered to a point that requires a clean, deliberate cut — delivers an immediate rush of toasted almond and creamy cedar on the first full draw, with white pepper snapping across the retrohale like a struck match. A gentle floral note from the sun-grown wrapper weaves through the opening inch, underscored by fresh hay and that kiss of honeysuckle that promises the sweetness will hold its ground. The body is medium from the first puff, but it arrives with a creamy texture that keeps the pepper from ever feeling sharp.
By the second third, the cigar settles into its core groove. Roasted cashew and caramel emerge with a medium-bodied richness that coats the palate without becoming heavy, and a baking-spice note — cinnamon, maybe a touch of clove — threads through the smoke. A subtle earthy leather develops alongside dried apricot, and the creaminess that defined the opening now serves as a foundation rather than a headline. This is where the Sun Grown Torpedo separates itself from its Undercrown siblings: where the Maduro is dark and brooding, this one is golden and conversational, and the Dominican filler is doing quiet work in the background, keeping the Nicaraguan ligero from ever tipping into harshness.
The final third picks up strength and complexity in equal measure. Toasted oak and dark caramel arrive first, followed by espresso undertones that deepen with each puff, and a lingering black pepper note on the retrohale that finally earns the white pepper's early promise. The wrapper's sweetness persists into the final inches — that honeysuckle thread from the first third never fully leaves — and it's this balance that keeps the blend cohesive all the way to the nub. Construction is characteristically excellent from La Gran Fabrica: the draw is open and effortless with just the right resistance through the torpedo taper, the burn line stays razor-sharp, and the ash holds in tight, pale grey columns well past an inch. At $10–$14, this is a cigar that routinely outperforms sticks in the $18–$22 range, and it does so without ever announcing its ambition.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Sun Grown Connecticut Shade (grown in full sun) — Colorado Claro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan Jalapa |
| Filler | Nicaraguan (Jalapa, Estelí) and Dominican long-filler blend |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua — produced at Drew Estate's La Gran Fabrica |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo |
| Size | 6.0 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $10–$14 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Tobaccos blended and aged under the supervision of Willy Herrera; no specific extended aging disclosure beyond standard |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The torpedo's tapered head delivers an immediate rush of toasted almond, creamy cedar, and white pepper on the retrohale. A gentle floral note from the sun-grown Ecuadorian wrapper weaves through early, underscored by fresh hay and a kiss of honeysuckle sweetness.
Second Third
The body transitions into its core groove — roasted cashew, caramel, and baking spice emerge with a medium-bodied richness. A subtle earthy leather note develops alongside dried apricot and a hint of creaminess that coats the palate without becoming heavy.
Final Third
The finish picks up strength and complexity, delivering toasted oak, dark caramel, espresso undertones, and a lingering black pepper note on the retrohale. The sweetness from the wrapper persists into the final inches, balancing the developing spice and keeping the blend cohesive and enjoyable to the nub.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is characteristically excellent from Drew Estate's La Gran Fabrica — draw is open and effortless with just the right resistance through the torpedo taper, burn line is razor-sharp, and ash holds firmly in tight, pale grey columns well past an inch.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Highland Scotch whisky (Glenmorangie 12 or Dalmore 12) or a light Guatemalan rum (Ron Zacapa 23) — the sweetness and vanilla notes in both complement the sun-grown wrapper's natural honey character without overpowering
Wine
Viognier or an unoaked Chardonnay from Burgundy — the floral, stone-fruit character of these whites mirrors the wrapper's inherent sweetness and keeps the pairing fresh
Non-Alcoholic
A well-extracted cortado or a lightly sweetened cold brew — the mild bitterness of espresso-forward coffee bridges the caramel and roasted nut flavors in the second and final thirds perfectly
Who Should Smoke This?
Picture a smoker who has spent the last year working through mild Connecticuts and is ready for something with a pulse, but isn't yet willing to commit to a full-bodied ligero bomb. It's a Saturday afternoon in early autumn, the kind of day where the light is golden and there's no rush to be anywhere. They've got a cortado on the side table and ninety minutes to themselves. The Undercrown Sun Grown Torpedo meets them exactly where they are: the medium body is accessible enough that they won't feel overwhelmed, but the toasted almond, caramel, and baking spice progression gives them something to actually think about. For the seasoned smoker, it's the cigar they reach for when they want complexity without the weight of a maduro — a reminder that Herrera's range extends well beyond the dark side.
Bottom Line
The Undercrown Sun Grown Torpedo is the rare everyday cigar that smokes like a special occasion, and it does it for the price of a decent lunch. If you've been sleeping on sun-grown Connecticuts because you assumed they were mild and forgettable, this is the cigar that will change your mind. Buy a box, smoke one this week, and thank Willy Herrera later.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Undercrown Sun Grown cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Undercrown Sun Grown Torpedo a strong cigar?
No — it's rated Medium (3/5) on the strength scale. Physically, that means you'll feel a gentle nicotine presence in the final third, but nothing that will leave a seasoned smoker dizzy or a newer smoker uncomfortable. The body is rich and creamy rather than aggressive, and the pepper on the retrohale is present but never punishing. It's a cigar you can smoke on an empty stomach without regret.
What does Undercrown Sun Grown Torpedo taste like?
The first third delivers toasted almond, creamy cedar, and white pepper on the retrohale, with a floral note and honeysuckle sweetness from the wrapper. The second third transitions into roasted cashew, caramel, and baking spice, with dried apricot and a subtle earthy leather. The final third brings toasted oak, dark caramel, espresso undertones, and a lingering black pepper note, with the wrapper's sweetness persisting to the nub.
How long does Undercrown Sun Grown Torpedo take to smoke?
Expect a 75–90 minute smoke from this 6.0 x 52 Torpedo. The tapered head and open draw mean you'll take steady, unhurried pulls rather than quick puffs, and the excellent construction keeps the burn slow and even. It's an ideal length for a relaxed afternoon or early evening session — long enough to be an event, short enough to fit into a weekday.
What is the best pairing for Undercrown Sun Grown Torpedo?
An aged Highland Scotch like Glenmorangie 12 or Dalmore 12 is the ideal companion — the vanilla and honey notes in the whisky mirror the sun-grown wrapper's natural sweetness without overpowering the cigar's caramel and roasted nut flavors. If you prefer rum, Ron Zacapa 23's light sweetness works beautifully. For a non-alcoholic option, a well-extracted cortado bridges the caramel and espresso notes in the second and final thirds perfectly.
Is Undercrown Sun Grown Torpedo good for beginners?
Yes, with a caveat. The Medium strength and $10–$14 price point make it an excellent gateway cigar for someone transitioning from mild Connecticuts to medium-bodied smokes. The creamy texture and balanced sweetness keep it approachable, and the excellent construction means you won't fight the draw. That said, the white pepper on the retrohale and the espresso notes in the final third mean it's not a true first cigar — it's a second or third cigar, once you've learned to retrohale without coughing.
Where can I buy Undercrown Sun Grown Torpedo?
This is a standard production, non-limited cigar, so you'll find it at most premium tobacconists, online cigar retailers, and Drew Estate's authorized dealers. It's widely distributed enough that you shouldn't have trouble finding singles or boxes, and the $10–$14 price point means it's stocked in both brick-and-mortar humidors and online warehouses. If your local shop doesn't carry it, ask them to order it — most Drew Estate accounts can get it within a week.
What is the price of Undercrown Sun Grown Torpedo?
Expect to pay $10–$14 per cigar, depending on your retailer and whether you're buying singles or by the box. At that price, it routinely outperforms cigars in the $18–$22 range, which is why it's become a staple for smokers who want complexity without the premium markup. Box purchases typically bring the per-stick cost down to the lower end of that range.
Is Undercrown Sun Grown Torpedo worth aging?
It's worth aging if you enjoy the sharper edges of a young sun-grown wrapper — the white pepper and cedar are more pronounced when fresh, and six to twelve months in the humidor will round those out while deepening the caramel and dried apricot notes. That said, the tobaccos are already blended and aged under Willy Herrera's supervision, so this isn't a cigar that requires years of rest to become smokeable. Buy two boxes: smoke one now, age the other and compare.
What wrapper does Undercrown Sun Grown Torpedo use?
It uses an Ecuadorian Sun Grown Connecticut Shade wrapper — a leaf grown in full sun rather than under traditional cheesecloth shade, which produces a darker, thicker leaf with a Colorado Claro color and a natural sheen. That sun exposure is what gives the wrapper its distinctive honeysuckle sweetness and floral character, which balances the Nicaraguan ligero in the filler and keeps the cigar from ever tipping into harshness.
Where is Undercrown Sun Grown Torpedo made?
It's produced at Drew Estate's La Gran Fabrica in Estelí, Nicaragua — the same factory that rolls Liga Privada. The cigar is hand-rolled, and the construction quality reflects the factory's reputation: razor-sharp burn lines, firm ash columns, and an open draw through the torpedo taper. The Undercrown Sun Grown line launched in 2014 as a sub-line of the broader Undercrown franchise, designed by Liga Privada master blender Willy Herrera as a more approachable, ligero-forward sun-grown expression.