An unconventional CC: HdM Churchill 2008

[cottierm]

I bought last year five single HdM Churchills from a box of 2008. Three reasons compelled me to buy them: a. I'd never smoked one; b. it was getting discontinued; and c. many reviewers were mentioning a relatively strong salty taste.

I've just finished my first one five minutes ago and it leaves me wondering...

The specimen I had was very well constructed with a nicely applied colorado wrapper. Aroma in combustion was unsweetened dark roasted coffee. Strength moved from under-medium up to the first half to slightly above medium for the next half. The range of taste seemed pretty linear up to the mid-point: salted dark tobacco with non-sugary sweet bitterness. A lot of sour cream as well. To make an analogy: it was a dark roasted coffee with addition of sour cream and a pinch of salt. Quite unusual (at least for me!) and, I must admit, not for my taste! Having reached the mid-point I was in a mind to toss it (sacrilege!). But then I started to reflect: what do I like in CCs usually? For me, it is sugar cane and vanilla. Why do I like these tastes then? Probably, I thought, because I've been educated in a Western society which loves sugary tastes. So why should I not give this cigar a chance to offer me something I'm not used to and do not really like (after all we all try on a more or less regular basis some 'exotic' dishes that we may be surprised to like or which may confirm us in our 'I-do-not-like-this-but-at-least-I-tried-it' mantra (I am playing that game with my kids at the moment with mixed results ). And so I decided to go on with the experiment and, of course, a good idea it was. The first thing to do is to forget any idea of refined or cane sugar for there is none in this cigar. The second is to take the cigar at its face value: it is what it is. The second half added different flavours to the profile already described: nuts, wood, leather and a good kick of nicotine even after four years. But by the final third, and with any remnants of a sugary idea having vanished from my mind, I started to enjoy a cigar which has become unconventional by nowadays standards. As a matter of fact my palate started to get used to it. Did I like it in the end? Not so sure. Did I enjoy it? Tremendously! Would I try to go after a box? No, but I shall smoke its four other brothers, one every year, just to remind me that there are or used to be tremendous cigars that are simply not for me.

All the best,

Michel

[Colt45]

One of my favorite cigars - I smoked an '07 a few days ago. As for being discontinued, I thankfully have another '07 box in storage,

but after that, it's another cigar I won't be buying.

Thanks for the notes

[ChanceSchmerr]

Well said, Michel!

I'm with you on that - I have stayed away from Marques in the past - for similar reasons, I had specific tastes and didn't like the quintessential flavour profiles that some brands exhibited, particularly Juan Lopez and Punch. But, after taking some time away and trying them again - you take the time to discover a profile that is so unique and un-yielding that you can't help but admire and enjoy it - Now, I can't get enough Punch cigars, and even Juan Lopez has me checking them out more, after the delicious Sel #5's from Andorra.

You never know what you'll find if you don't try, and don't stick with it!

[cottierm]

Dear Ross,

I saw after posting my review that you and at least one other FOH member had already reviewed this cigar in the recent past. Thinking that it is already the second time that I post a review for a cigar you love (the first one was an aged VR Clasico a few months ago), it seems that we pretty much share the same tastes as far as CCs are concerned!

Best,

Michel

[cottierm]

We are obviously on the same page here, my friend! I hope that you can bring me one of those JL no. 5 at the next Toronto Herf. PM me if interested so that we can see what I have in stock that may be of interest to you.

[Hohenthal]

'I-do-not-like-this-but-at-least-I-tried-it' mantra (I am playing that game with my kids at the moment with mixed results ).

Same here, cigar- or food wise,

great post, cheers!

Best,

Alex

[cottierm]

Thanks for the feedback Alex.

Best,

Michel

[Colt45]

Michel, I also agree that this cigar tends to be love or hate and is not to everyone's taste. But personally, I love the balance and interplay

between it's cedar/tannic core and sweet/sour cream and fruit elements. When in balance, I find this to be a quite complex cigar.

[cottierm]

I totally missed what you described as the 'tannic core' during the smoking part but I can certainly feel its effect in my mouth this morning! Quite surprising.