The KFC blend utilizes fire cured tobaccos from Kentucky and Virginia. The process of creating fire cured tobaccos that has been in use for over 200 years was explained by Nicholas Melillo in the original press release:

First off, Kentucky Fire Cured is from a stalk-cut tobacco. The initial firing of KFC is done at low heat between 100 F to 115 F degrees and maintained until the color reaches solid brown. Once color is set temperatures increase to 120F- 130F to completely cure down the midrib of the leaf and darken. Once the midrib is dried the temperature will be reduced and the smoke maximized with sawdust to finish the leaf. When KFC hits your olfactory nerve you know it!

The Facts

Price: $37.97 per bundle of 10
Size: Kyotos
Wrapper: 5 ½ by 34
Wrapper: Undisclosed
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Undisclosed
Smoke Time: 1 Hour

Pre-light

The Kentucky Fired Cured Kyotos wears an extremely dark, almost, black wrapper that is oily, bumpy, toothy, and veiny. To the touch, the tooth feels like a fine grain sandpaper. A few soft spots are found on this small cigar as I examine it from head to foot.

A potent, burnt wood/peatiness greets me immediately upon removing the cigar from the cellophane. It is very similar to the aroma you would get from a tin of English pipe tobacco that is heavy on Latakia. Similar aromas are found on the foot, which are just short of overwhelming. Upon clipping the neatly applied double cap, the dry draw is not nearly as in your face as expected. I don’t even know where to begin on describing the cold draw other than a camp fire in your mouth.

First Third

The 34 ring gauge Kyotos lights easily and a copious amount of smoke is being produced even though the draw is bit snug. My concerns are quickly relieved as a somewhat balanced profile opens up the cigar. While there is definitely the English pipe tobacco-like flavor, there is also mixture of woodsy notes more typical to a cigar profile with a faint black pepper in the mouth. Moving the smoke through the sinuses, the black pepper stands out.  Three fourths of an inch in, the spice steps up a few notch, a toasted bread flavor joins in, and hiding in the background is a dark fruit sweetness. A salt and pepper, toothy ash is being produced as the cigar burns mostly even.

Middle Third

As the MUWAT Kentucky Fire Cured Kyotos progresses, the sweetness, that is now a combination of fruit and maple, is in stride with the smoky wood flavor. A heavy char flavor lingers in the mouth after each puff and the yeasty bread pulls forward. In terms of texture, the smoke is thick and chewy in the mouth. The ash is surprisingly firm for such a small cigar.

Final Third

Just prior to entering the final third, the Kyotos decided to die out on me requiring a complete re-light. I must have been doing too much thinking and not enough smoking. The profile is very similar to the previous third, but has developed in richness. Also, a rich cedar flavor that is very enjoyable had entered the profile. Other than the re-light, the Kyotos has performed without issue.

Wrap-up

To make things easy, I will begin with the more objective aspects of the Kentucky Fire Cured Kyotos. The cigar was very well constructed and had an appealing ruggedness to it. While the draw was snug, the smoke production was satisfying. The cigar smoked for review burned even for the most part, but it also extinguished at one point, which occurred in multiple samples. Now onto my own personal take. The smoky, pipe tobacco pre-light aroma was almost overwhelming, but once lit the flavor was dialed back and played well with other more “cigar-like” flavors. On the downside, the heavy finish was not overly pleasant and almost fatiguing. Taking price into consideration, a bundle purchase can be recommended, not as a regular rotation smoke, but something different and intriguing to have in the humidor.

The post Drew Estate MUWAT Kentucky Fire Cured Kyotos appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

Before diving into things, let’s clarify where this cigar comes from. There is a bit of confusion as to how this cigar came about, and who created it. Here are the details:

 “The Collaboration: “My UZI Weighs a Ton” by Subculture Studios and JDN is the first formal cigar blending collaboration between Drew Estate Tobacco  Company and Joya de Nicaragua.”

“The 411: The UZI story began on the very first final consumer blending session at the Joya de Nicaragua factory in late 2010 during a Cigar Safari tour with the B.O.T.L. group. After conducting blending sessions for the previous 3 years at the Drew Estate factory, we were amped up to extend the concept to JDN.  While the B.O.T.L. group crafted their blends, I worked with the JDN team utilizing DE tobaccos, including a San Andreas Negro Wrapper, Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade Binder and hearty Brazilian Mata Fina Filler, coupled with Nicaraguan fillers provided by JDN. The blend proved to be rich and earthy, with a bright, sweet undertone.”

“As months of blending passed, I felt this blend was most noble in the 6×60 format and began calling this cigar “The Uzi.” We all had a good laugh at the name, but when I went back to their factory to pick up the round of 50 sticks, I said, “Damn, My UZI’s Weigh a Ton!” – and the brand was officially born. The initial sizes are 5×60, 6×60, and 7×60 – with the infamous “Bait Shop” (4×44) to follow.” – Jonathan Drew

There you have it. One thing to note is the “Bait Shop” is actually now released and carries the name “Bait Fish”.

Size: 6×60  –  Wrapper: San Andreas Maduro  –  Binder: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade  –  Filler:  Brazilian Mata Fina Oscuro, Nicaraguan Seco Jalapa, Nicaraguan Viso Condega and Nicaraguan Esteli Ligero

Prelight: Damn, this is one beautiful cigar. My Uzi Weighs a Ton starts with a very dark, incredibly consistent brown wrapper. This thing looks like a candy bar. The construction is perfect, only carrying a few smaller veins throughout the huge body of the cigar, before coming to a nice, stubby, round double cap. The band is just badass, I love the design and typography on it as it lays out the words “My Uzi Weighs a Ton, by Subculture Studios & JDN, XXL”. XXL of course, referring to the size of these cigars. I know it’s a larger format cigar, but even for it’s size, this cigar really does weight a ton. The Uzi also gives off a ton of resistance as I try to squeeze it between my fingers. This cigar is tough.

The wrapper is crazy oily, and you can see the oils reflect the light off the cigar from all angles. Despite its blown out character the wrapper only gives off a slight, sweet, chocolaty aroma while the foot of the cigar lets loose a modest tobacco along with earth tones.  The cap is easily cut on My Uzi Weight a Ton using my double bladed Palio cutter. The cold draw produces a really mild, yet flavorful graham, and tobacco flavor.

First Smoke: The Uzi starts off with only a slight pepper punch, just the first few draws, and only really enough to tease my lips. After the pepper fades I am left with a very strong cinnamon, dark chocolate, cherry, and sweet tobacco flavor. The cigar definitely didn’t start off as powerful as I thought it would. The draw is awesome, it does take a few extra puffs to get going due to the larger ring gauge, but it’s a smokehouse once it’s off and running.  The burnline has a few smaller waves as it leaves behind a trail of semi-flaky, medium grey ash. The ash held on for about an inch, and I am sure it would probably hold on a bit longer, but its windy as hell outside and I didn’t want to risk it falling.

Halfway There: The flavors in this Uzi just keep ramping up, while the body remains smooth, and easy to smoke. The chocolate has really started to take over. Along with the chocolate so has the cherry while the cinnamon and graham faded out letting way for some really nice sweet tobacco. The retrohale is different on this cigar. Usually I get a lot of cedar and tobacco flavor while this cigar coats with this really malty, chocolate milk flavor. It’s strong too, so just be ready for it. The ash is still kind of flaky, but the burnline is rocking solid while leaving me with almost no nicotine kick at all at this point.

Finish: My Uzi Weighs a ton has really kept me on my toes while it changes up, and ramps up it’s flavor profile even into the final third of this massive cigar. Again, that dark chocolate is just a beast in this experience, the Cherry, which started out mild is a big contender as well while the graham has really crept back in and the sweet tobacco is still mixed in there. The burnline has started a few more small waves, but they didn’t bother me at all. I think the wind had a lot to do with them. It took me just under 2 hours to smoke this massive cigar while I experienced no harshness at all, it actually finished just as smooth as it started. Despite the wind and waves, this cigar also required no extra attention from my lighter throughout the entire smoke.

Overview: Don’t be fooled by the name, and the production, My Uzi Weighs a Ton isn’t the strongest cigar out there. In fact, I found it a perfectly balanced, medium/full cigar with a ton of character. This cigar is a flavor bomb with a really smooth palate of Chocolate, Berry, sweet tobacco, and graham cracker. It really packs the flavor in there, even for the larger ring gauge. I really want to get my hands on the new baitfish size now, as I would love to taste what the smaller format’s wrapper has to offer. This is a solid cigar through, and through and will delight the most experienced smoker as well as help that novice smoker experience the next level in premium cigars without breaking their stomachs, or the bank.

Pairing: Why another great Belgian beer? Yes Please. And this brew in particular is no stranger around these parts, in fact, I think this is the third time I have featured it in the pairing section of this site. Pauwel Kwak. This is a badass beer, and spoilers aside, I couldn’t possibly think of a better pairing with My Uzi Weighs a Ton. Pauwel Kwak is a 8.4% Belgian Strong Ale from Brouwerij Bosteels is Bugeenhout Belgium.  Kwak is a deep, amber ale with a fruity, malty, sweet character. The main flavors are a sweet banana tossed in with mild hops, caramel, and citrus. Seriously, mix those flavors in with the cinnamon chocolate and cherry from the Uzi and you have a knock out pairing.

The post Drew Estate / Joya De Nicaragua / Subculture Sutdios – My Uzi Weighs a Ton appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.