H. Upmann Sir Winston May 03

[stever]

Great review Rob. One of my favorite Churchills when they're on. Still have one from '98. Currently smoking '03s. Wonder what the '06 blend is like.

[anacostiakat]

Music to my ears! :-D

Pretty much what I have gotten out of maybe 2 from out of my '03 box.

[Colt45]

Great review! I have a box from 2000, and have had my share of draw problems.

But the ones that have drawn properly have been fantastic.

[JeepCop]

Nice review Rob! I just got a couple of singles (unknown box code) from you with my last sizeable (for me at least :wink:) order. I was so happy with my goodies, I took pics to document the joyous occasion!

[Guest PSU OpusX]

I was lucky to recently get a few. I can't wait for the summer to sit outside and light one up.

[Quint]

My 98's are out of this world I only break them out once in a blue moon when I'm looking for an orgasmic evening...lol..don't tell the wife....

Thanks for the review and pics Rob

[Miami101]

Hi

Prez

I get the taste of salt when I smoke these......I only smoke them by the Ocean.......Do you get the same taste???

[El Presidente]

» Hi

» Prez

» I get the taste of salt when I smoke these......I only smoke them by the

» Ocean.......Do you get the same taste???

Can't say I do Carlos. Salt to me equates more to some Sancho Panza.

[El Presidente]

The Upmann Sir Winston and I have had a chequered relationship. I have been taken to heights of cigar nirvana and yet other times been left wondering if I have been the butt of a cruel joke. 96/97/98 Sir Winstons were where I learned to love this cigar. Smooth as a SLR DC, creaminess of a great ERDM Choix supreme, the cleaness of a Cohiba Esplendido, the milk coffee of the best Montecristo No 2.

Then in 1999/2000/2001 (with some exceptions) and 2002 they lost their way. I had more insipid Winstons that I care to count. Too grassy, too many construction issues and I have bagged many in past reviews.

So today I reached for a May03 Upmann Sir Winston.

Classic Churchill. Not the shiniest wrapper I have seen on a Winston, but almost flawless. Smell at cold was sweet spices, cedar and intense tobacco. Weight in hand was perfect. No hard or soft spots.

Cerrated the cap to find a tougher than I like draw. Used the cutter to take a little more off and the draw was perfect. Taste on the lips was cream and tobacco. Delightful.

Torched the foot and let the gentle giant find its pace. Good volume of smoke, excellent aroma which took me back to when my mother use to make cream rice dessert on Sundays.

Medium bodied, silky smooth. intense clean tobacco flavour with copious cream. This reminds me so much of the Winstons of 97/98.

Sweet spices....cinnamon stick. Core flavour is still the highest quality Vuelta Abajo toasted tobacco leaf....but the sweet cream and cinnamon add a whole new dimension.

By the halfway point the sweetness had dissipated somewhat to be replaced with the finest milk coffee. Still intensely smooth. This is a cerebral cigar, one that really demands your attention....not through its brashness or adventurous nature but rather by its class and sophistication. Through the nose are only slight elements of white pepper, but on the palate it plays out its own symphony.

Into the last third and I am seriously considering going back to back with another Winston. Coffee flavours have intensified, sweetness gone as have the sweet spice interplay. Elements of peat have appeared along with the lightest charred wood. Astounding.

I am a believer again. The finest Churchill along with the Punch 1998 cab that i have had this year.

92/100 5/6 smokerings.