Cigar Hunt: Drunk Chicken’s Original

Flavor Profile

Cayenne, chocolate, walnuts, coffee.

When people talk about smoking after sex, these are the intense, decadent, and slightly dark flavors that I imagine—a perfect blend of sweet heat and earthy richness. Which is to say that if I were ever inclined to take up that particular practice, Drunk Chicken’s Original (DCO) cigar is precisely what I'd be reaching for. This is a bold statement for a brand I'm only just discovering. I know, I know—where have I been? It seems I've been missing out on one of the most exciting premium cigar experiences on the market.

The Smoking Experience

First Third

This cigar is rich and heady from the very first draw. It smokes incredibly smooth, yet simultaneously delivers a beautiful, warming spice that excites the palate. The texture of the smoke itself is worth noting—it is dense, creamy, and visually luxurious, filling the air with a deep, rich aroma.

I immediately reached for New Dawn’s 6-year Wheated Bourbon to pair. This combination was an instant success. The bourbon’s profile layered beautifully over the cigar, introducing notes of brown sugar, molasses, and baked goods, transforming the New Dawn into something resembling a rich, complex gingerbread.

I then tried New Dawn’s 10-year Wheated Bourbon. The aging on this expression offered a completely different synergy. The 10-year significantly lightens and brightens with the DCO, allowing its underlying floral and citrus notes to truly shine. Against this brighter backdrop, the cigar’s inherent depth was accentuated, drawing out profound, sophisticated notes of rich, worn leather. 

Honestly, I couldn’t decide which pairing I preferred more; they were both exceptional but catered to entirely different moods. I would wholeheartedly recommend pairing the DCO based on whether you desire a sweet, comforting richness (the 6-year) or a brighter, more elegant complexity (the 10-year).

Second Third

The DCO is definitely a bold, complex smoke, one that should be enjoyed slowly and deliberately to ensure you have plenty of time to savor its evolution. Moving into the second third, the initial cayenne spice mellows slightly, allowing the dark chocolate to truly come to the forefront, dominating the profile with a bittersweet intensity. This cocoa note is beautifully complemented by an unexpected, yet utterly delightful, hint of buttered toast—a savory, warm depth that grounds the sweetness. The construction remained flawless throughout this section, maintaining a sharp burn line and a satisfying volume of smoke.

Final Third

The final third of the Drunk Chicken Original takes a dramatic, smoky turn. The flavors here transition into savory, grilled notes, reminiscent of grilled baguette and charred bell peppers. This shift introduces a fascinating duality: the sweetness remains, but it is balanced by a bitter, almost umami char, creating a sophisticated and deeply satisfying conclusion. It is sweet and bitter in all the best, most complex ways, proving the DCO is a cigar that keeps you engaged until the very last puff.

Format and Future Endeavors

I had initially picked up a sampler pack, and though the packaging indicated a Lancero, I’m quite certain the cigar I smoked was actually a Robusto. While I am certainly not disappointed—the experience was stellar—I am now even more determined to try the Lancero of the DCO. This particular format was ranked #5 in Cigar Magazine’s “Best of 2022,” making it a must-try. 

The quality and complexity of this first stick have thoroughly impressed me. I am genuinely looking forward to working my way through the rest of the Drunk Chicken sampler pack in the coming months!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the overall flavor profile of the Drunk Chicken Original (DCO) cigar?
A: The DCO's primary flavor notes include cayenne pepper, dark chocolate, walnuts, and coffee, described as an intense, decadent, and slightly dark blend of sweet heat and earthy richness.

Q: What were the key characteristics of the DCO in the First Third?
A: The First Third was rich and heady, smoking incredibly smooth with a beautiful, warming cayenne spice. The smoke was noted for being dense, creamy, and visually luxurious.

Q: What whiskey pairings were recommended for the DCO?
A: Two pairings were recommended:
*   New Dawn’s 6-year Wheated Bourbon: Created a sweet, comforting richness, introducing notes of brown sugar, molasses, and baked goods.
*   New Dawn’s 10-year Wheated Whiskey: Offered a brighter, more elegant complexity, allowing the cigar's underlying floral and citrus notes to shine, while drawing out sophisticated notes of rich, worn leather from the cigar.

Q: How did the flavor change in the Second Third?
A: The cayenne spice mellowed, allowing the dark chocolate to dominate with a bittersweet intensity. This was complemented by an unexpected hint of buttered toast, adding a savory, warm depth.

Q: What were the dominant flavors in the Final Third?
A: The Final Third took a dramatic, smoky turn, transitioning into savory, grilled notes reminiscent of grilled baguette and charred bell peppers, balanced by a bitter, almost umami char.

Q: What cigar format was reviewed, and what other format is the author interested in trying?
A: The cigar smoked was believed to be a Robusto, despite the sampler pack indicating a Lancero. The author is now determined to try the Lancero format, as it was ranked #5 in Cigar Magazine’s "Best of 2022."

Q: Was the construction of the DCO consistent throughout the smoke?
A: Yes, the construction was noted as flawless, maintaining a sharp burn line and a satisfying volume of smoke.