Read the cigar review and cigar rating for the Drew Estate Isla del Sol.

I don’t really smoke flavored cigars anymore, but I do occasionally smoke a Java or Kahlua by Drew Estates. I bought these cigars for my wife because she wants to try cigars but only likes the flavored sticks so far. I wanted to try one because when I was looking for some decent flavored cigars, a lot of people were comparing this to the Java. Well, I tried one last night and here is my review of it.

Cigar: Isla Del Sol by Drew Estate
Vitola: Gran Corona 5x44
Country: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Indonesian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nigaraguan

Retail Price: $31.00 box of 20 - $1.55 per stick

Construction: This stick looks nice in appearance, but is very soft and spongy feeling. I thought that this was going to have a terrible burn and draw because it was super soft. The wrapper is a medium brown and the cap is good. The cut was easy and even with no damage occurring from it. Pre-Light draw seemed alright.

Pre-Light Aroma and Flavor: The aroma and flavor was almost exactly like the Java except the tip was sweetened a lot on this cigar.

Burn: Even initial light and even burn throughout.

Drink: None

Smoking Notes: The draw was pretty good, which surprised me. This is a Mild bodied smoke and there is A LOT of sugary sweetness on the lips from the sweetened tip. There were very noticeable chocolate and coffee flavors. I think that they must use the same flavorings on these as they use on the Java because they taste almost exactly the same, with the Isla Del Sol having a lot more of the flavoring than the Java.
I think that they sweetened the tip too much because the sweetness on the tip was a slightly different flavor from the cigar and it was conflicting with the “Java” flavor a little bit. I do prefer the Java to this because you can taste some tobacco in the Java but you pretty much only taste the flavorings in this. The flavor did stay consistent during the entire smoke.

Overall Experience and Rating: This stick surprised me a bit. I thought that this was going to have serious draw and burn issues due to the super softness of the stick, but it did not have any major issues. The burn was consistent and even all the way through and the draw was surprisingly decent. The ash was a little bit of a problem, it would not stay on the stick for longer than 1/2 inch before it fell off, and mostly fell off at about ¼ inch intervals. The taste was pretty good and reminiscent of the Java but these can be bought for a fraction of the cost (these cost about 71% less than Java).

I think that the Corona was a perfect size for me as I don’t think I would have wanted or been able to smoke a larger size. In my opinion, this is an excellent value at $1.55 a stick and the most expensive size which is Churchill only cost about $40.00/ box - $2.00/stick.

If you like flavored sticks, especially the Java, I think that this is a must try. My overall rating is based on my flavored cigar rating has the cost of the stick factored in.
I give this cigar a B.