My Weekend Cigar Review: Chateau Real by Drew Estate

VIDEO CIGAR REVIEW: CHATEAU REAL BY DREW ESTATE

Chateau Real by Drew Estate: The Next Generation

Debuting in 2006, Chateau Real was the cigar destined to break Drew Estate’s infused-cigar mold and usher them into traditional blend premium cigars. The cigars were good (I was fortunate to smoke an early test sample in 2005), and they did the job. What happened was, Chateau eventually became eclipsed by Drew Estate’s later traditional releases such as Liga Privada, Undercrown, and Herrera Estelí. It didn’t fail, however; rather, it slowly faded into the mist and was finally dropped in 2011.

12 years later, Jonathan Drew felt it was time to re-introduce Chateau Real to a new generation. In the press release he stated that Chateau Real had become “one of the most sought-after ‘Drew Estate Ghosts’ with collectors keeping the brand alive.” So, the line is back in three popular sizes, and available only at a Drew Diplomat Digital retailer.

Cigar Details:

Factory: La Gran Fabrica de Drew Estate – Esteli, Nicaragua
Size: 5″ x 50 Crystale Deluxe (Robusto)
Body/Strength: Medium body / Mellow-plus strength
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut Shade
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan

Presented in boxes of 20

Chateau Real by Drew Estate Cigar Review

As soon as I took this Robusto Crystale Deluxe out of its cello I couldn’t help admiring it. This was a model Connecticut Shade cigar: perfectly rolled in a flawless Ecuador Connecticut wrapper that was silky with an even dark tan color and finished with a neat triple seam cap. The prelight was a little grassy, but after lighting the initial puffs were smooth and mellow with notes of dry wood and light salt. I tasted some natural sweetness, too, but the first inch was mostly a mix of light tobacco flavors.

Moving along, a smooth, nutty, cashew-like flavor and some subtle sweetness was revealed. The smoke also offered a creamy mouthfeel with a somewhat dry, medium-length finish. By inch two, the cigar had rounded-out beautifully, revealing an oak-like woody flavor. The body was also just short of medium.

At the midpoint, the cigar was medium in body while the strength sat just below that in lighter territory. Roasted nuts became the more dominant flavor, and by now, it was obvious that the burn had been razor sharp from the get-go—dropping firm grey ashes in its wake.

The last two inches of my first sample tasted a little bitter—I felt that cigar was a bit over humidified—but my second sample was much better and led to a one-inch nub (see below).

Was the Chateau Real by Drew Estate Weekend Worthy?

When a manufacturer reprises a milestone cigar line, they really want it to be a hit. That’s why I took my time smoking the Chateau Real Robusto Crystale Deluxe; I wanted to give it the fairest shot possible. Performance-wise, it was a flawless 99.9. The smoke was creamy-smooth making it easy on the palate. I also liked its nutty-woody profile and lighter strength. It went great with coffee, too, making Chateau Real an ideal “first cigar of the day” smoke.

Time will tell, but this Chateau Real re-issue has good popularity potential and the below $10 price also makes it a welcome find. So, if you like straight-forward, medium-bodied Connecticut wrapper cigars this new Chateau Real should be right in your wheelhouse. Finally, I think this cigar will improve even more with some extra home aging.

Please Note: Gary’s review was based on two samples and that your experience may vary. If you’ve already had an experience with this cigar please share your thoughts with a comment.