Cigar Reveal #185

Southern Draw
Jacob's Ladder

Most of the time it's not safe to assume the contents of the cigar based on the wrapper color. However in this case, assume away, because you'll be correct. The Southern Draw Jacob's Ladder is every bit as strong as it is dark. And while this beauty won't be in everyone's cigar wheelhouse, for those that like flavor, strength and complexity in their cigars, this is a ten out of ten. Let me pause here to say a bit about the company that owns this fine smoke. Southern Draw is U.S. veteran owned by Robert and Sharon Holt, and in the cigar industry (or any industry) you won't find nicer people. Their website says, "(We) stress the importance of loving ALL people.  Our little brand is all about the people, and we have been blessed with an incredible opportunity to share our faith, our family and our own brand of fellowship, one cigar and conversation at a time." I can say from experience that they back up that claim with their actions. Good on 'em. 

Back to the cigar. Southern Draw cigars are made by AJ Fernandez, whose factory produces some of the highest rated cigars on the planet, and a big reason Southern Draw has become one of fastest growing companies in the last decade. Jacob's Ladder uses two different types of ligero leaf along with a broadleaf wrapper and binder. With all of the thick leaves packed into this cigar you would think it would have burn issues, but it burns nearly perfect and allows you focus on the flavor which dances from dark chocolate and earth to white pepper and eventually mellows out into a surprising creamy vanilla finish.

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Jacob's Ladder
Anatomy

  • Nicaragua

  • Ecuadorian Maduro

  • Pennsylvania Broadleaf

Jacob's Ladder
Flavor Notes

First Third

Black Pepper

Cocoa

Vanilla

Black Pepper

Cocoa

Vanilla

Second Third

Steak

Black Pepper

Malt

Steak

Black Pepper

Malt

Final Third

Root Beer

Coffee

Caramel

Root Beer

Coffee

Caramel

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Reviews + Notes

Halfwheel

I'm always a bit weary of cigars promising to deliver what Southern Draw said the Jacobs Ladder would do: delivering a very rich and complex cigar with a full body and full flavor profile, yet for the most part, that's exactly what it does. The first two thirds are quite good, particularly when the sweetness and peppery strength of the ligero and broadleaf shine through to create a tongue-immersing profile. However, it all comes at a cost as the final third unravels and the profile shows the less desirable parts of the tobacco, particularly a metallic, sour earthiness that gets compounded by a gut punch of nicotine strength that sits in the system for quite a while. This is an interesting and educative cigar about just how flavorful and complex tobacco can be and what can go wrong; as such I'd readily smoke the first two thirds over and over if I could guarantee to know exactly when to stop. Score: 84

Kohnhed

I see no need to list more flavors. This is a great cigar. And if you don’t buy some, well I’ve wasted my time here. I’ll even pay for them. Malts take center stage. The spiciness is off the charts mixing a combination of black, red, and white peppers. Yet the body of this blend is not affected or over shadowed ... Damn straight I recommend the Southern Draw Jacobs Ladder. 96 points.

Cigar Dojo

Jacobs Ladder marks the strongest offering from Texas-based Southern Draw Cigars. As with the company's other brands, this dark maduro is produced at AJ Fernández's burgeoning factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. The cigar boasts highlights such as a double ligero blend and the usage of a pristine Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper—which is bound in a cedar sleeve for an ideal aging environment. The smoking experience is unexpected, beginning with deep, smooth flavors, rather than the spicy qualities that are often associated with similar blends. It is a flavor-forward profile, with heavy stone fruits, chocolates, espresso, and the occasional burst of alcohol/liqueur buzz through the nostrils. The draw seems to lean towards the firm side and the construction was not quite the "gold standard" of other AJ-made cigars. In addition, the flavors generally hover around the initial profile setup within the first third. In the end, the double ligero blend contributes a near-perfect balance of strength to the heavy-hitting flavor profile—making for a decadent dessert-like experience. Score: 92