Herrera Esteli Lonsdale Deluxe

Drew Estate’s Herrera Esteli Habano has been hailed as a standout among the brand’s many offerings. The cold draw didn’t excite, as I picked up a bitter taste followed by sourdough bread. Once things got going, a better flavor profile emerged. First, there was a lot of pepper and spice, especially on the retrohale. Slowly, I detected coffee and earthy notes. Towards the end, mineral and hay dominated a short finish. Overall construction was better than average, but two relights hurt the score. The Herrera Esteli produced generous amounts of smoke, but I was abandoned, longing for richer flavors.