Drew Estate Chateau Real Connecticut Shade Gran Templar

Chateau Real occupies an interesting place in Drew Estate history. Originally released in 2006 as one of the company's early non-infused cigars, the line was eventually discontinued before making its return for smokers who remembered its mellow, traditional character. The Gran Templar is a 6.0 x 50 Toro handmade in Nicaragua, pairing a silky Connecticut Shade wrapper with a Habano binder and Nicaraguan long-fillers. The resulting mild-to-medium profile is creamy and approachable, offering smooth notes of wood, coffee, nuts, and gentle spice rather than overwhelming strength. An espresso martini turns those coffee notes into the centerpiece of the pairing. Espresso reinforces the cigar's roasted character, while the cocktail's sweetness and creamy texture complement the softer qualities of the Connecticut wrapper. It's essentially an after-dinner coffee pairing with a little more personality—and a particularly nice match for this easygoing Drew Estate classic.

The Nicaraguan cigar industry originated when Cuban cigar makers escaped the revolution and re-established their livelihood in Nicaragua with Cuban-seed tobacco. Blessed with dark, rich soil, their new home was ideal for tobacco cultivation and Nicaragua quickly became known for cigars that rivaled Cuban quality. Unfortunately, revolution and war came to Nicaragua in the 1980s and devastated the industry, but it’s rebounded dramatically and is once again producing tobacco considered by many to be the finest in the world.

The Esteli Valley is in many ways the heart of Nicaraguan production and is known for its very powerful and spicy tobacco. The Jalapa Valley produces arguably the finest tobacco in the country: somewhat sweeter and less intense than Esteli, but extremely complex. The tobacco of the Condega Valley is often described as a blend of the other two regions.