Hoyo de Monterrey Churchill (98)

cigardawg · June 5, 2006

I smoked this cigar about a week ago and just now found my notes on it. I have the entire box code available to me, but have not yet obtained it from the fine lover-of-the-leaf that gave the cigar to me. Anyway, here are my thoughts:

Hoyo de Monterrey Churchill (98)

This cigar had light-brown wrapper and a definite box press. In fact, it might be the most box-pressed Habano that I have ever smoked. The wrapper was very nice with no noticable veins. The seams were well applied and the triple-flagged cap was well constructed. The pre-light nose was mild and primarily of earth and wood. The pre-light draw was firm and a bit worrisome.

I applied the torch and this churchill sprang to life. The draw opened up almost immediately, providing for a very pleasant smoke. Smoke production was very satisfactory, each draw coaxing a good mouthful of medium-thick smoke. The burn was dead even throughout, never requiring any attention or touch-up. The cigar remained cool down to the nub. Very good construction.

This was a fairly well-aged cigar and it showed with the finesse and elegance of its taste. The cigar was very refined. There were dominant tastes of wood and some coffee that intermingled over a creamy core. This combination of flavors remained consistent throughout most of the cigar. With around 2 inches left, there was an intense burst of cardamon and burnt sugar. This spicy burst broke through the creamy core, on the initial taste and leaving the creaminess to come through later on the finish. This little burst stayed true through the end of the cigar.

This was a very good smoking churchill. It was also my first HdM Churchill, as I have always smoked the DC in the past. Medium-bodied at best, it was a good anytime smoke. The burst of spice really sealed it for me. I rate it an A-(90-91). :ok: