Welcome back to our deep dive into Southern Draw’s collection of unique and intriguing blends!
In this article, the spotlight is on the Firethorn, a cigar that, full disclosure, has quickly become my personal favorite from Southern Draw’s portfolio.
With its warm, spiced character, it’s the perfect companion for crisp autumn days and the cozy holiday season ahead. But don’t let me spoil too much—let’s put the Firethorn through the Bespoke Unit Cigar Matrix and see how it performs.
Southern Draw Firethorn Cigar Details
- Brand: Southern Draw
- Range: Firethorn
- Reviewed Vitolas: 5.5 x 54 Robusto
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Rosado
- Binder: San Andres
- Filler: Nicaraguan
- Factory: Tabacalera Fernandez
- Handmade: Yes
- Body: Full
- Estimated Smoking Time: 80 Minutes
- Pricing: $80 / Box of 20 [Latest Price On CigarPage]
Look & Feel Of The Southern Draw Firethorn Cigar
- Wrapper Hue: Rosy
- Rolling Consistency: Even
- Spring: Firm
- Aromas: Mulch, Earth, Pretzel
The Firethorn is wrapped in a stunning Rosado Habano hybrid leaf, a rare and striking tobacco with a warm, rosy hue. The wrapper has a matte finish with a few veins visible, adding to its rustic charm.
My review samples were perfectly firm to the touch, hinting at excellent construction. From the body, enticing flavor notes of mulch, earth, and pretzel emerge, setting the stage for an intriguing smoking experience.
Southern Draw Firethorn Smoking Review
Pre-Lighting Experience
- Draw: Ideal
- Aromas: Cinnamon, Brown Sugar, Earth
One of the Firethorn’s distinct features is its closed foot, where the wrapper leaf extends to cover nearly all of the open foot. This construction is often said to help maintain optimal humidity and simplify the lighting process by eliminating the need to toast the filler.
Personally, I don’t mind either way, though it does make it trickier to pick up distinct flavor notes during the dry draw. What I could discern were subtle notes of cinnamon, brown sugar, and earth, hinting at the warm and spiced experience to come.
1st Third Smoking Experience
- Notes: Fireball, Coffee, Almonds
From the very first puff, the Firethorn announces itself boldly.
The immediate flavor brought back a memory of that infamous fireball whiskey—though, thankfully, this experience is far more refined and less cloyingly sweet. The profile rounds out with complementary notes of coffee and almonds, creating a warm and comforting start.
The retrohale adds another layer of complexity with a distinct cayenne-like warmth, setting the tone for what’s to come.
2nd Third Smoking Experience
- Notes: Cedar, Cocoa Nibs, Black Pepper
As the Firethorn cigar transitions into the second third, the flavor profile evolves, becoming more cedar-forward, followed by notes of bitter cocoa nibs and a touch of black pepper.
On the retrohale, there’s an intriguing spiciness reminiscent of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos—a fun and unexpected twist. The burn quality continues to impress, with the ash forming that “stacking dimes” effect that’s always a treat to see, even if it’s not bone white.
Final Third Smoking Experience
- Notes: Hot Tamales, Carrot Cake, Coffee
The final third introduces a surprising and welcome sweetness, evoking the flavor of Hot Tamales, those nostalgic cinnamon candies. At the same time, the back of the palate picks up on a spiced carrot cake richness, followed by lingering coffee notes.
The retrohale, which started with spice, mellows into a calming earthy note to bring the experience to a satisfying close.
Overall Burn
- Ash Backbone: Solid
- Burn Angle: Straight
- Temperature: Cool
- Draw: Ideal
- Final Smoking Time: 80 Minutes
The Firethorn stands out as the best-smoking cigar I’ve reviewed from Southern Draw so far.
While the Cedrus occasionally burned unevenly and the Manzanita had some minor construction issues, the Firethorn is flawless in its performance. The burn is straight, the draw is easy, and the flavor delivery is consistent throughout.
Ironically, this might also be the most affordable of the three—proof that exceptional quality doesn’t have to break the bank.
Overall Experience
One thing I consistently admire about Southern Draw is their thoughtful and cohesive packaging.
The Firethorn sports a striking red and maroon band with gold accents that perfectly complement the rosy hues of the Rosado wrapper. The box, finished in a rich red, mirrors the elegance of the Cedrus, but with its own fiery twist.
And as always, the inclusion of a Boveda seal is a standout feature—ensuring the cigars arrive perfectly humidified and ready to smoke, avoiding the dreaded dry stogie experience.
Pairing Recommendations For Southern Draw Firethorn Cigar
The Firethorn practically begs for sweet pairings.
A creamy flan would beautifully highlight the cinnamon and coffee notes, while gummy bears would add a playful contrast, leaning into the hot tamales-like flavors. For something savory, a flavorful Spanish paella would harmonize wonderfully with the spice notes and offer a complementary richness to the profile.
When it comes to drinks, a peaty scotch like Laphroaig offers the smoky warmth of a grown-up version of fireball whiskey (minus the regret).
For a cozy option, try hot chocolate, transforming the experience into an Aztec Mocha with spiced and coffee undertones. Finally, for the holiday season, pair this cigar with a bold red wine for a mulled wine-inspired pairing.
Closing Thoughts
After exploring several Southern Draw blends, a clear theme emerges: bold, adventurous cigars with rare tobaccos that deliver unique and satisfying experiences.
While they may not take you on a rollercoaster of flavor transitions, they consistently deliver excellent craftsmanship and delicious blends. It’s easy to see why these cigars have earned such a devoted following—they’re exceptional smokes at an unbeatable price.
"The Southern Draw Firethorn cigar delivers a warm, spice-filled experience with its beautiful Rosado wrapper and expertly crafted flavor profile."
Further Reading
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