Davidoff Winston Churchill (CRW)

[Shatner's Bassoon]

I’m blaming FOH for my having been forced to smoke two Churchills today!
 

This cigar has a nice dark wrapper, the draw is easy without being a wind tunnel, and the cold draw gives a sweet, woody taste which I’m going to call cedar. 
 

The first third starts with a wheaty taste, with notes of the cedar flavour that I got from the cold draw. The retrohale has notes of bell pepper and sweetness. It starts with a fuller body than I expected. It very quickly settles down, the body drops to medium, and the cedar flavour disappears. A chocolate flavour emerges, and combines with the wheat to give the cigar a flavour profile that reminds me of a chocolate chip cookie. Very nice! A faint citrus note emerges and drifts in and out.

In the second third the chocolate chip cookie flavours darken, the body stays at medium, and there is a faint touch of marzipan, especially on the finish. The retrohale drops the bell pepper and reveals the same flavours as appear on the palate.

In the final third the chocolate flavour drops very much into the background, and wheat becomes the predominant flavour again, joined by a touch of black pepper, which is particularly noticeable on the retrohale. The pleasant marzipan flavours from the second third disappear. In the final inch the cigar becomes slightly harsh and bitter.

This was a pleasant cigar - possibly the most Cuban non-Cuban I’ve had so far, if that makes any sense at all. The slightly harsh final inch drops it a point. I give it a 90.

 

[BrightonCorgi]

They're terrific cigars by any measure.  The whole Winston Churchill series are great.

[Monocle]

1 hour ago, BrightonCorgi said:

They're terrific cigars by any measure.  The whole Winston Churchill series are great.

Agreed, though pricewise they're difficult to justify.

[vhampl03]

Have you had the Late Hour? One of my favorites....haven’t had the WC though...wonder how it compares for anyone who’s had both...

[BrightonCorgi]

37 minutes ago, Monocle said:

Agreed, though pricewise they're difficult to justify.

Do they cost more than the same size Habanos?  I thought they were similarly priced?  Tobacco quality is on par and the Davidoff's have better construction.

[JoeyBones777]

Love these...the late hour, not so much. Given the price increases to Habanos these may end up in my special occasion rotation.