Drew Estate / Rocky Patel Java Robusto (5.5" X 50) - Box Pressed

Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro, Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua


Appearance 7/10
Construction 11/15
Aroma 19/20
Burn 10/15
Draw 8/10
Flavor 25/30

Price - Approx. $6.00

Lance's Rating 80/100

The Java is a Drew Estate / Rocky Patel Joint effort. It is a flavored cigar infused with the flavors of coffee and chocolate.

Appearance 7/10

The Java is a box-pressed cigar that comes in either the Maduro or Latte (Connecticut) wrapper. The wrapper itself is fairly thick on both the Latte and the Maduro, and is a bit drier than most other cigars that I have come across. The wrappers is very textured due to the prominent veins.

Construction 11/15

Although this is a Rocky Patel / Drew Estate joint effort the construction is a bit lacking. It has some soft spots, and the box pressing excentuates these faults. The construction isn't as bad as a lot of the Drew Estates of old however ... The wrapper on this cigar is much more durable than say the 2000 or 2001 vintage acid cigar line.

Aroma 19/20

This Cigar smells great!! Just like coffee and chocolate. It has a wonderful aroma even before you light it!! It is sure to be a head-turner when you smoke it. The Java almost makes up for everything else it lacks just by the way it smells.

Burn 10/15

The burn on this cigar is a bit dissapointing, but not entirely unexpected. The box pressing, (as mentioned above), seems to create soft spots throughout the cigar, which makes the cigar tend to burn faster in some areas than others. It wasnt uncommon to have a 1/2" assymetric burn once it was lit. This is one area that I feel that could really be improved upon.

Draw 8/10

The draw throught the cigar was smooth and predictable, even with the differences of density that are noted above.

Flavor 25/30

The first one-third of this cigar is the best part. It has a rich smooth desert taste when it is first lit ... lots of chocolate, sugar and coffee ... Some of my favorite things!! After the first third or so, it tends to get a bit "bitey" with a kind of Metallic taste if you allow it to get too hot.

So after all is said and done ... I still have one in my humidor simply because I absolutely love the aroma of this one ... Lit or not!!