Cigar Geeks - Highclere Castle Cigar Co. Victorian Churchill

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Highclere Castle Cigar Co. Victorian Churchill
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Neal (ntanner)

84
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique. This one has been generously sponsored by our member Adwinistrator (Ryan). The cigar provided for this round is the http://www.cigargeeks.com/cigardb/default.asp?action=showcig&cigar_id=192310">Highclere Castle Cigar Co. Victorian Churchill by Foundation Cigar Company. This was an interesting critique in that it was done blind. No members had any idea wat they were smoking until after everyone had submitted their reviews. So there were no preconceived biases. The cigar is hand-rolled in Esteli, Nicaragua, using the finest upper priming Habano Ecuador wrapper, and both Criollo and Corojo from the volcanic soils of Esteli, Jalapa and the island of Ometepe. Thanks very much Ryan for sponsoring this!

Highclere Castle Cigar Co. Victorian Churchill

Brand:: Highclere Castle Cigar Co.
Name:: Victorian Churchill
Length:: 7
Ring Gauge:: 48
Country of Origin:: Nicaragua
Filler:: Nicaragua
Binder:: Brazil
Wrapper:: Ecuador
Habano
Color:: Colorado Maduro
Strength:: Medium-Full
Shape:: Churchill
Average Member Purchase Price:: $10.22
Average Member Rating:: (1 Review(s))
Notes:: https://halfwheel.com/collections/highclere-castle-victorian/

This cigar was enjoyed with Coffee

Pre-Light: 9 Points of 10 Possible

Nice looking cigar, has a few vein lines but overall the wrapper is pretty smooth and has a nice oily sheen to it. The cap appears well applied and the cannon has a solid feel to it. The wrapper and foot have a sweet tobacco aroma prelight. It takes a punch well and the draw is good with a earthy tobacco note.

Lighting and Burn: 12 Points of 15 Possible

Takes to a flame well enough, ash holds to about an inch and a half or so before I knock it off. Ash is a little darker grey with darker patches here and there. Burn gets a little wavy from time to time but never required a correction. Smoke production was good.

Construction: 28 Points of 30 Possible

Draw is good with just enough resistance, wrapper is a great example of nice leaf with a strong oily sheen and minimal vein lines. The cap is well done and the tobacco filler looks even and well bunched.

Flavor and Aroma: 35 Points of 45 Possible

Nice spice in the retro with some cream hints and almond flavors and a nice sweet touch at the end of each puff.

The second third has a espresso base to the profile with a toasted malt sweetness. Still some cream hints and the spice has picked up some. Strength has also come from medium into the full range.

The last third of the cigar is a continuation of the second.

Summary

Thanks for giving me a chance to participate in this one. Overall a decent smoke. The burn was slow and cool with good smoke production and no correction required. The flavors were ok but just didn't really do it for me.