Cigar Geeks - Cuban Rounds (by Ventura Cigar) Churchill Maduro

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Cuban Rounds (by Ventura Cigar) Churchill Maduro
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Otis

30
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique generously sponsored by our member bstessl (Brian). 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 Cuban Rounds (by Ventura Cigar) Churchill Maduro.

The Hype: From beginning to end, Cuban Rounds are a luxurious smoking experience, with blends that highlight the quality of the leaves and layers of flavor that evolves through a slow burn. They aren't meant to be saved for special celebrations, however. Cuban Rounds are the cigars to smoke after dinner, among friends, at work functions, and every summer evening. They're approachable for beginners, complex for enthusiasts, and are sized for anytime enjoyment. Whether you have a little time or a lot of time, there's a Cuban Rounds cigar for you.

Cuban Rounds (by Ventura Cigar) Churchill Maduro

Brand:: Cuban Rounds (by Ventura Cigar)
Name:: Churchill Maduro
Length:: 7
Ring Gauge:: 48
Country of Origin:: Nicaragua
Filler:: Nicaragua
Binder:: Nicaragua
Wrapper:: Nicaragua
Color:: Maduro
Strength:: Medium-Full
Shape:: Churchill

Pre-Light: 5 Points of 10 Possible

This cigar wasn't visually appealing. Not a terrible looking cigar, but I've seen better looking cigars. The cap was good, the only issue is that the cut split the wrapper slightly. It was a new cutter, so I don't think that was the reason. I didn't get much from the cold draw. No real aromas.

Lighting and Burn: 4 Points of 15 Possible

I had no issues lighting the cigar. It started off with a clean burn line and dark ash. As time went, the burn became uneven, and I started rotating the cigar to try to fix it but it did not help. At some points of the smoke, it became really hot and started having burn spots above the burn line. I re-lit this cigar a few times as I noticed that I was getting a slight tunnel to happen. I was able to correct the tunneling. It never got a good burn line after.

Construction: 10 Points of 30 Possible

The draw on this cigar was not bad at all. Throughout the other issues I had, wasn't really an issue even when tunneling, oddly enough. Although the wrapper was not pretty, the wrapper was well made and few issues construction wise. As I mentioned above, the cigar cap was good and there were no issues in that regard.

Flavor and Aroma: 11 Points of 45 Possible

After the initial light and a few pulls, I was hoping for some tasting notes to hit and it didn't happen. I'd chalked it up to a slow start to the cigar and was hoping the 2nd third would change for the better. The best description I can give is earthy with no real transitions. The tunneling happened in that 2nd third and after correcting that, I was hopeful that the cigar would transition into something worth smoking but it never did. I clipped it again after another spot of tunneling and at that point I was pretty over this cigar. I powered through half the final third for the sake of the review and ended it there.

Summary

Overall, I was pretty disappointed with this cigar. After the initial light it went downhill. I wished that at the very least, I hoped I would be able to get through this without all the tunneling issues that happened. I'm curious what this cigar is so I can try it again and just hope that this was a one off situation.