2023 Desnudo N8 Churchill Tasting Thread

[El Presidente]

2023  Desnudo N8 Churchill Tasting Thread 

 

 

[El Presidente]

COMING DECEMBER 

[josie67]

Just got mine about 30 minutes ago.  I’ll fire one up tonight after dinner and report back. 

 

Perfect draw and burn.  The first inch was very good with a slight, woody sweetness. Then it’s youth came out, and the cigar became bitter with muddled flavors.  I kept smoking it to the final third seeing if the flavors would change, but the bitterness never left.  Just like other cigars in the Desnudo line, after 4-5 months in the humidor, they transform into amazing cigars, and I expect the same for the Churchills. 

[GavLew79]

48 hrs off the truck (I know, I know)... amazing. Biscuits, shortbread, baking spices, chocolate, coffee. Delicious. 92/100 already. Kudos Pres and Hammy. 'kin good work. 👏🏻

[jonahs_whale]

I'm so excited to try these. Being patient has been the worst. I'll give it a go in 2 weeks

[GavLew79]

Back for my second N8, and if you told me this was a larger Fonseca No.1 I'd be hard pressed to say different. Nougat and crème brulée. Delicious. I'll be back for another 25 when funds allow. 👍🏻

[bmac]

Third N8 today. A few weeks down. Straight fire. Purchased two bundles and may need another. 93 points.

[wjs]

I received a 5-pk of these for winning a contest I quite frankly didn't understand (guessing someone's favorite Christmas movies) and took some time this afternoon to try one. More time than I had anticipated for all the right reasons. I live in Napa, CA and am in the wine business, so I write notes a little differently than I see around here, so I hope the following conveys how much I enjoyed this.

Appearance: Beautiful color/wrapper. No blemishes or imperfections. A good feel, if that makes any sense.

My lighter at the office ran dry last week, took a few attempts to get this lit with a Zippo. Once I got this going, it was akin to having a conversation with someone that really knew the assignment. Some lifted sweetness in the first third, overall profile of crust on freshly baked bread, lightly toasted marshmallow, graham cracker and a bottom note of bakers chocolate. This had a personality and thoughtfulness that was undeniable. This knew who it was and why, enjoyable and intellectual, a combination hard to find anywhere (food, wine, etc).

This was my first Desnudo and I couldn't be happier to have 3 more to look forward to (I paid one forward to a cigar smoking neighbor). As someone that makes consumable products, I appreciate the thought and craftsmanship here - there were smart, thoughtful choices made that translated to the end product. It may not sound like much, but it is one of the highest compliments I can give. I was barely halfway through when I was on the site looking to order more, which lead to my only complaint - sold out.

For some reason I have been sitting on some Carlotas, the target is squarely on those next. And if these are the theoretical love child of a Lusitania & Sir Winston, I need to find some of those ASAP.

[N-Ed]

Will there be more N8s produced this year @El Presidente? Late to the game, but got the Lanceros in the humidor and the Cañonazos on the way 👍

[Ptowncigar]

Beautiful cigar. From construction to flavor. 

[Gamehawker]

I am glad I bought a bundle of 25 at Christmas for a discount.  

Rob, do you know when they are going to be back in stock again?

[wjs]

On 4/28/2024 at 5:54 PM, Gamehawker said:

I am glad I bought a bundle of 25 at Christmas for a discount.  

Rob, do you know when they are going to be back in stock again?

Bump as this is the question I had and answer I was seeking. A most excellent smoke.

[Perla]

Any chance that they might restocked in near future?

[Perla]

@El Presidente, any updates when they are back?

Too good to miss out on them.

[Gamehawker]

On 4/28/2024 at 8:54 PM, Gamehawker said:

I am glad I bought a bundle of 25 at Christmas for a discount.  

Rob, do you know when they are going to be back in stock again?

Rob, do you know when they are going to be back in stock again?

[josie67]

Rob, when are the Churchills going to be back in stock?

[Gamehawker]

Hi Prez,

Can you please tell us are these amazing 2023 Puro Desnudo N8 Churchill will ever be in stock for purchase again? 

[JohnS]

3 hours ago, Gamehawker said:

Hi Prez,

Can you please tell us are these amazing 2023 Puro Desnudo N8 Churchill will ever be in stock for purchase again? 

It will be back up and running in a few weeks as per the thread below...

[duabley]

Hey foh family, as a friend from the north "wjs" reviewed I'm smoking the new batch now...spot on! Fantastic smoke and mine was pulled out of my travel case after sitting in the car for a week, and being placed into it the day they were pulled from the mail box. Lol, I a horrible human. Rob, Hamlet, tasting panel... nice work!! Freakin' awesome! Cheers from Socal!

 

[JDoughty]

Smoked one tonight that's been comfortably resting 20ish days at 65/65. Quite tasty. Notes of honeyed hay on the cold draw. The wrapper smells sweet with hints of milk chocolate and barnyard. On first light, I got leather, a bit of woodsiness and light roasted coffee. The draw was very loose despite a shallow V cut which is generally what I start with to test the draw. Ash was very flaky. Smoke volume was medium to light. Body was very light to start with, ramping up to light-medium. Toasted sourdough with a drizzle of honey came in with the first inch, and the smoke had a pleasantly sweet lingering aftertaste. By the bottom of the first third, I was getting some cappucino notes and a solid core of fragrant woodsiness. Honey and hay was most evident when not retrohaling, while the coffee, wood and leather showed mostly on the retrohale. The last third showed some lovely notes of cherry wood and slightly more body. Overall quite tasty, a very enjoyable smoke, but the flavors were slightly muddled rather than cleanly structured. Would love to revisit this one with a bit more age on it. 

[qs210]

On 10/22/2025 at 3:11 PM, JDoughty said:

Smoked one tonight that's been comfortably resting 20ish days at 65/65. Quite tasty. Notes of honeyed hay on the cold draw. The wrapper smells sweet with hints of milk chocolate and barnyard. On first light, I got leather, a bit of woodsiness and light roasted coffee. The draw was very loose despite a shallow V cut which is generally what I start with to test the draw. Ash was very flaky. Smoke volume was medium to light. Body was very light to start with, ramping up to light-medium. Toasted sourdough with a drizzle of honey came in with the first inch, and the smoke had a pleasantly sweet lingering aftertaste. By the bottom of the first third, I was getting some cappucino notes and a solid core of fragrant woodsiness. Honey and hay was most evident when not retrohaling, while the coffee, wood and leather showed mostly on the retrohale. The last third showed some lovely notes of cherry wood and slightly more body. Overall quite tasty, a very enjoyable smoke, but the flavors were slightly muddled rather than cleanly structured. Would love to revisit this one with a bit more age on it. 

Thanks for the review! Intriguing stuff. The Churchill is one of the few Fab sticks I haven't tried yet. Just ordered a 5 pack to get acquainted.

[habanohal]

Wish they were stronger and had more flavor coming from them.

[JDoughty]

6 hours ago, habanohal said:

Wish they were stronger and had more flavor coming from them.

They are not strong. They are light shading to light-medium towards the end, with lots of very lovely flavors especially on the retrohale. I would not have perceived all of the delightful flavor notes I did without slow retrohale. Is that something you enjoy doing, or not so much? 

[habanohal]

Retro yes, but wish they were as intense flavor as the Sovereign Suns or Queen Corona. For myself I have never had a Double Corona, Churchill, Double Edmundo etc, bigger cigars that did it for me. Example...I have a box of Monte Double Edmundo. 3 years old. Can taste the flavor but would be thrilled if they were as flavorful (i.e. intense) as the Monte No.4.

[JDoughty]

5 hours ago, habanohal said:

Retro yes, but wish they were as intense flavor as the Sovereign Suns or Queen Corona. For myself I have never had a Double Corona, Churchill, Double Edmundo etc, bigger cigars that did it for me. Example...I have a box of Monte Double Edmundo. 3 years old. Can taste the flavor but would be thrilled if they were as flavorful (i.e. intense) as the Monte No.4. 

You might really enjoy the Trinity and the Canonazo? I like stronger cigars at times, it is sometimes nice to know you are really smoking something. But I also love the elegance and delicacy of lighter cigars that are full of subtlety and grace. Especially in the morning or at the beginning of a relaxing evening. If I smoke a very strong stick, a Liga or LFD, even one of the stouter Padrons, it's usually at the end when it doesn't matter if it blows my palate and rips out all my nose hairs on the retro. 😄 If I'm going to smoke a bunch of sticks, lighter is a virtue to start with! So long as it's tasty. The Nudie Churchills definitely are that.