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Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Hammer & Sickle Tradicion Serie Churchill
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Neal (ntanner)

84
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique generously sponsored by our member klamm143 (Kevin).  This was done as a blind review so there were no pre-concieved notions about what anyone was smoking.  The cigar provided for this round is the http://www.cigargeeks.com/cigardb/default.asp?action=showcig&cigar_id=28767">Hammer & Sickle Tradicion Serie Churchill.

This was a Cigar Aficionado Top 25 pick in 2015 (coming in at No. 11). As the brand name indicates, Hammer + Sickle has opted for tradition over trend with its TradiciĆ³n Serie Churchill. It isn't a scaled up, modern interpretation of a Churchill, as others have created, but stays within traditional parameters. Eric Hanson, who released his first Hammer + Sickle brand in 2010, has adopted the symbol of Russia as the cigar's logo. He points out that the hammer and sickle does not represent the Soviet Union (which incorporated a star), but symbolizes Russia's industrial north and agrarian south. For him, it's a heritage symbol and not political.




Hammer & Sickle Tradicion Serie Churchill

Brand:
Hammer & Sickle
Name:
Tradicion Serie Churchill
Length:
7
Ring Gauge:
48
Country of Origin:
Dominican Republic
Filler:
Dominican Republic
Binder:
Dominican Republic
Wrapper:
Connecticut Shade
Color:
Colorado Claro
Strength:
Medium
Shape:
Churchill
Average Member Rating:
4.5 star rating based on 1 Review(s) (1 Review(s))
This cigar was enjoyed with Coffee

Pre-Light: 8 Points of 10 Possible

Well it looks OK, wrapper feels thin and delicate when I run my fingers over the cannon. It has a slight sheen and a few vein lines. The cap is a bit crooked but takes a punch well enough and the draw is good. The cannon feels solid head to foot and it takes to the flame well.

Lighting and Burn: 12 Points of 15 Possible

Burn was a little faster then I was expecting and the burn line was a bit wavy but never needed correction. The ash was flakey and had a slight tan color to the outer layer and a more salt and pepper color.

I did notice that it required attention, a faster smoking rate than usual for me anyway or it would try and go out. Never got there but came close a couple times.

I did have some issues with the ash flowering a couple times but for the most part it was OK.

Construction: 27 Points of 30 Possible

Draw for the cigar was good on a punch cut but I did get a little bit of break down of the cap as I began to smoke. Not bad but enough to be a bit of an irritant.

The wrapper is very light colored shade leaf with a slight sheen and looks OK but isn't anything to get excited about. The cap was a bit lopsided and and the seem line was a bit wavy and had a couple of flags near the band.

Overall appearance is OK but nothing breathtaking but construction is good with no major issues.

Flavor and Aroma: 37 Points of 45 Possible

Initial notes are cream and almond with a coffee undertone and a decent dose of spice in the retro and a fairly long slightly sweet aftertaste. Initial thought is not to bad.
     
The second third starts dryer with an uptick in spice, now apparent on the tongue and a much earthier almost charred note that I am finding enjoyable. Getting a caramel hint in the finish but not very sweet.

The last third has leather showing up in force along with a dry bitter note I can't place, the smoke leaves my tongue feeling a bit chalky but it still has a sweet note in the finish.

Summary

Not a bad smoke overall. Enjoyed some of the unique flavors but found the necessary pace to keep this one going a bit faster then I usually smoke.  That said, still enjoyable and something I would smoke again.


   
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