HU Sir Winston EOS Jun 2019 (HURW)

[Glass Half Full]

My first Sir Winnie — and many thanks to @rascalmonkey for the opportunity. 

Decided to start with a dram of something special

Cold draw had a sense of walnut and must.

1st /3rd

Opening draws build on the walnut flavors.  I wasn’t prepared for how mild this would begin.  Not at all a bad thing — just not what I’d imagined.  Happily, I’m inspired to concentrate — retros are enveloping (if that translates) in an easy, easy way.  Mild as it seems, the HU DNA seem solid in flavor (and feel).  Flavors pick up in complexity, while still “mild-to-medium,” in the 1st/3rd.  By the end of the first third, there’s mild leather, hints of citrus, vanilla bean, and the retros pick up more citrus and light white pepper, and (gradually) it starts to feel like a “bake shop” is coming.  

2nd/3rd

Intensity and twang pick up to a “Wow” for me, …though it still has a softness.  Retros too are wonderful, still enveloping, mild-medium.  Baking spices and sweet baked goods take over (shortbread?).  

3rd/3rd

Beginning the last third there’s a touch of mongrel, in a welcome way.  (That said, I’m now pairing with a Pet Nat so that may help bring out the “wildness” …it feels like great pairing at this stage.  BTW - I usually don’t like pet nat; I just had one in the fridge.  Don’t even know why I opened it, except that it was there, and I didn’t want something strong.  Just serendipitous.)

Into the end of the last 3rd, things went a bit south.  A split began — though in fairness, it may just be the Low Country humidity.  (We were fortunate to have missed Hurricane Fiona; the temperature is a wonderful 69f right now, still crazy humid.)  The band helped keep it together at the finish. …And then, “tea” flavors, of all things.

Construction:

This cigar had incredible construction for the first 4/5ths.  Twice, and unplanned, I had to step away from for quite a while, …and then happily came back right where I left it.  No relights (though I did “correct” for the split).

Overall:  

Keeping in mind subjectivity, my preconceptions, the humidity, and just the randomness of scoring, tonight (for me) this is a 91+ cigar.

All the best,

Glass Half Full

[dominattorney]

I just had a 2003 example I'll review later. I had a different experience. Wish we could have traded. 

[rascalmonkey]

great review!