Southern Draw Manzanita Review

Look & Feel Of The Southern Draw Manzanita Cigar

• Wrapper Hue: Chilli
• Rolling Consistency: Even
• Spring: Firm
• Aromas: Mesquite, Nutmeg, Brown Sugar

The Manzanita is a sharp-looking cigar, with its reddish-hued Habano wrapper giving it a bold, rustic appearance. At first glance, I mistook it for a Corojo leaf. The roll is extremely even, with only minor, forgivable blemishes.

The aromas are spicier than expected, with mesquite, nutmeg, and brown sugar wafting from the body and foot.

Southern Draw Manzanita Review

Pre-Lighting Experience

• Draw: Slightly Loose
• Aromas:Sour Gummy Bears, Dried Blueberry, Mint Tea

The Manzanita’s rare filler tobaccos start revealing themselves even before lighting.

From the cold draw, I picked up unique flavors of sour gummy bears and dried blueberries, delivering a tart complexity characteristic of Pelo D’Oro tobacco. Rounding it out is a soothing herbal note, reminiscent of mint tea.

1st Third Smoking Experience

• Notes: Croissant, Coffee, Orange Zest

Lighting up the Manzanita, black pepper immediately takes the stage, lingering heavily on the retrohale. As the smoke settles, flavors of buttery croissants, coffee, and orange zest emerge.

The ash is bone white, and the mouthfeel remains surprisingly smooth despite the peppery introduction.

2nd Third Smoking Experience

• Notes: Honey, Whole Wheat Bread, Cream

In the second third, the cigar starts to mellow and sweeten, showcasing floral honey notes and a whole wheat bread profile with a creamy finish.

While the black pepper on the retrohale remains, it steps into the background, allowing the sweeter flavors to shine.

Final Third Smoking Experience

• Notes: Black Pepper, Parmesan, Must

This is where the Manzanita truly stands out. Black pepper returns as the dominant flavor, complemented by funkier, savory notes reminiscent of parmesan cheese or musty wine barrels.

On the retrohale, there’s an intriguing hint of bubblegum—not overly sweet, just faint and unique.

Overall Burn

• Ash Backbone: Wavy
• Burn Angle: Straight
• Temperature: Cool
• Draw: Slightly Loose
• Final Smoking Time: 90 Minutes

I did encounter some burn issues with one of my review samples, which developed a small tunnel a few centimeters behind the burn line. While it looked rough, the tunneling resolved after smoking past it, though it left the burn line slightly wavy. Variations like this can happen due to windy outdoor conditions or thinner leaves in the filler.

Despite these challenges, the draw across all my samples was slightly loose but still delivered cool, flavorful smoke. The ash held firm, and the overall smoking experience remained enjoyable, quirks and all.

Overall Experience

The Manzanita is a feast for the eyes before it even hits the palate.

Its band, finished in rich cherry and candy apple red with silver metallic detailing, mirrors the elegance of the Southern Draw Cedrus cigar I reviewed earlier. True to Southern Draw’s branding, the band bears the Latin inscription “soli deo gloria” (glory to God alone), adding a thoughtful touch.

The cigars come in a sleek, piano-black box that holds ten cigars in a single row. While the finish is undeniably elegant, it’s prone to scratches, so handle it with care.

A standout feature is the integration of a Boveda humidification pack, ensuring that the cigars are ready to smoke shortly after arrival. This is packaging done right—functional, stylish, and smoker-friendly.

Pairing Recommendations For Southern Draw Manzanita

The Manzanita’s refined branding and savory flavor profile make it an excellent choice for capping off a formal lunch or meeting. For food pairings, the cigar’s musty and black pepper notes pair wonderfully with Cacio e Pepe, highlighting the blend’s more savory side.

For a sweet and spicy contrast, beef jerky complements the honey and orange flavors beautifully. If you’re craving something flaky and semi-sweet, a buttery pastry will accentuate the Habano wrapper’s bready characteristics.

For drinks, my top recommendation is Hawaiian POG juice (Passion Fruit, Orange, and Guava). Its tartness reflects the cold draw’s flavors while enhancing the cigar’s sweeter notes. Alternatively, a sweet black tea works excellently to draw out the croissant-like flavors.

Finally, for those leaning into the funky, musty side of the blend, dark rum adds depth to those unique undertones.

Closing Thoughts

The Manzanita, or “little apple,” is a big-value cigar that delivers unique flavors at an approachable price point.

While it isn’t the most complex cigar in terms of transitions, the distinct flavors and exceptional branding make it stand out. At <$4 a stick, I’m happy to forgive the slight burn quirks I experienced with one of my review samples; had these been $15 cigars, my tolerance might have wavered.

Though I usually favor lanceros, I think the larger ring gauges for the Manzanita might be the way to go, allowing the blend’s Pelo d’Oro filler to shine.

Next week, we’ll be diving into the Southern Draw Firethorn, a cigar that’s shaping up to be the spicier sibling of the Manzanita. Stay tuned!

Further Reading

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