Price: $30
Size: 47 x 7 (Churchill)
Box: Varnished Box 10, code POS ENE 07
Paired with: Green Tea

I got this box last November when they were on sale online. Apparently this production had allot of draw problems. I was not immune as well and I had 2 out of 5 I smoked plugged up. Tonight, Sunday after having salmon for dinner I made some green tea and I decided to try them out again as they are fairly mild smokes and do not require a heavy meal.

Foot was packed with tobacco with no hollow spots.

Pre-light:
Cigar construction is OK and you don’t see any visible veins. One thing that bugged me was the left over white glue in middle of the cigar and around the band but I like the classic band which looks like it was produced 40 years ago. Band looks a little faded and old school but really classic. One can say looks like vintage Cuban cigars. Clipped the cap and got an excellent draw. The pre-light aroma was sweet tobacco with cold moist. Typical pleasant Cuban tobacco flavor.

First third:
Easily started the cigar with my lotus lighter and immediately got hit with a nice sweet coco tobacco flavor which was very delicious. Flavor profile reminded me of Bolivar Royal Corona with coffee, coco taste but with medium body. As you see in the picture the burn was razor sharp and the dark lined gray ash felt right before entering the second third. While puffing away in first third the coco flavor faded away and was replaced with creamy tobacco taste and this finish was very short. It was becoming a baby Royal Corona in term of flavor and body.

Second third:
Burn was still razor sharp and the finish was getting a little longer. When exhaled through my nose the aroma was very pleasant but there was no more signs of coffee and coco which I noticed at the beginning of the first third. It was becoming a straight Cuban tobacco taste and somewhat boring. Cigar did not require allot of attention. Its really hard to decide but I kind of like it and I don’t but I would take this cigar anyday compared to any none-Cubans because I love the Cuban twang. In middle of the second third the body was picking up and becoming more enjoyable. I really must say the burn was one of the best I have had lately.

Final third:
I have to admit that it was getting really boring and I was almost forgetting this cigar before even finishing it. I would say save your money for a Bolivar for less money per stick as it gives you more kick throughout the smoke. While I was puffing away I noticed allot of smoke coming out of the foot for some reason which was strange and when I laid it down to continue writing it went out and had to re-light it again. With little effort I lighted it up and everything was back to normal, straight Cuban tobacco taste with little or no flavor except some tobacco complexity. I had to fix the burn only once but not problematic at all. I kept puffing away and writing as it felt it became a routine with little excitement. Close to the middle of final third cigar was getting really dry and I had to say goodbye.

Conclusion:
It took me 1/5 hour to smoke this Churchill and I can say I only enjoyed the first half of the cigar where it was reminding me of Bolivar Royal Corona. As I mentioned this is a great cigar when you are not required to pay attention to your cigar and I rather go for a Bolivar Royal Corona and get the full flavored taste as they are very solid cigars. I had a Bolivar Royal Corona last night and I really enjoyed it compared to this. If you are looking for a mild Churchill I would recommend this cigar but remember with the same price you can get a Romeo Y Julieta Churchill or Bolívar Gold Medal which is way more flavorful compared to La Gloria Cubana. I give it a rating of 8/10

Filed under: Cigar Reviews