Ken Gargett Posted September 27, 2005 Posted September 27, 2005 Sept 05. If memory serves (and it has to as I’m doing this away from the Forum), this is a cigar that Rob has raved about yet when one was given to us at the 2005 Festival, he promptly gave it to a passing Cuban - the first that had not asked for something - as I was led to believe that perhaps he was not as excited about them as he might have suggested. There is nowhere to hide on this forum. And to be fair, I’ve been with Rob on this. All my previous notes have suggested that they have not lived up to the hype. This one from Rob and I am not certain of the age but suspect a few years and must also admit that it made me reassess these. They really are an elegant looking cigar, especially with that small gold band (next time, anyone’s wife wants a new ring, try and give her one of these - might work better if she is not your wife). Really enjoyed it and found it had much more to offer than before. Perhaps a couple of years does wonders. Opened with the loveliest creamy coffee and subtle nuts. Construction was fine, draw medium-tight but certainly not overly done. Burn was medium-slow though went a fraction ragged around half time. Subtle flavours persisted. Good dense smoke. Richly flavoured yet not too powerful. Count me a convert if this is what these can offer. Smoked it with a terrific, if perhaps overly sweet PX sherry and they both helped each other. Found none of the harshness that I had seen before - assume that this a function of the age, to a degree. Certainly worth squirreling a few away for a few years but if I had them, I would prefer to see them that way and not smoked brand new. One small problem that detracted a little was that it did get a little pluggy towards the finish - I did say it was from Rob. 91.
harwellplant Posted September 27, 2005 Posted September 27, 2005 nice review. this cigar really doesn't get as much play as its history would dictate. i agree with your description of rich flavor - very unique taste.
El Presidente Posted September 28, 2005 Posted September 28, 2005 Like many cigars you receive at the Habanos festival, the R&J Churchill I gifted the musician was tight to the touch and rolled yesterday. At it's best (3-5 years IMHO) it is an excellent stewed fruit cigar. Can take a little while to get there.
habanohal Posted September 28, 2005 Posted September 28, 2005 » Like many cigars you receive at the Habanos festival, the R&J Churchill I » gifted the musician was tight to the touch and rolled yesterday. » » » At it's best (3-5 years IMHO) it is an excellent stewed fruit cigar. Can » take a little while to get there. Kens Back!!
harwellplant Posted September 28, 2005 Posted September 28, 2005 is stewed fruit an aussie thing? i don't think we have that here, lol.
Ken Gargett Posted September 28, 2005 Author Posted September 28, 2005 typical presidential review - have you ever seen such pseudo rubbish!
gabebdog1 Posted January 18, 2006 Posted January 18, 2006 1 of the best dam cigars I have ever had awsome looking wraper . will be getting another box soon
Loki Posted January 18, 2006 Posted January 18, 2006 Smoked a stick from 01 this past weekend. Stellar simply stellar. Nice firm stick with a medium brown wrapper with a nice sheen. This stick produced a nice amount of smoke.The flavors included wood , chocolate and a nice sweetness.
Ben Posted January 18, 2006 Posted January 18, 2006 This stick is my current staple and an all time fave. Highly Recommended.
patrick Posted March 6, 2006 Posted March 6, 2006 I have only had a few of these in my lifetime but every one was excellent. Great review!
habanohal Posted March 7, 2006 Posted March 7, 2006 » I have only had a few of these in my lifetime but every one was excellent. » Great review! I have only had 1 of these and I loved it!! I just ordered 2 boxes( Sorry Rob, I had a credit for a while now with a dif vendor). 1 box I will put away for atleast 2 years and 1 box will be smoked dureing the summer golf season.
seamus Posted March 7, 2006 Posted March 7, 2006 I was turned off of these for a while due to a couple bad boxes, half plugged back in 99-00. I had one last week that was fantasic that renewed my interest so I'll have to get another box.
greenpimp Posted March 7, 2006 Posted March 7, 2006 Nice review. THe few I've had are from an '04 box that I'm frankly waiting to come around in the flavor department.
stogies&hoagies Posted March 9, 2006 Posted March 9, 2006 » I like them alot. Than again I'm a R&J *****. Currently in my top 5 regular smokes.
Well Armed Posted March 9, 2006 Posted March 9, 2006 » This is a great cigar in my opinion. However they must be aged. I don't » feel they smoke well young at all. If you buy a box, just put it away and » don't even look at it for a couple years. Word.
Shooter Posted March 9, 2006 Posted March 9, 2006 It's certainly an elegant cigar and one that I like to keep around! Nice review Ken.
kingfisher59 Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 Nice review ...and I too agree they need a little age ....these have the potential to be very nice indeed with a few years of age....;-)
guilow Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 I agree with the comments on appearance. These are beautiful sticks with a flawless exterior. However, I'm not sold on them because of the tightness of draw. I'm going through a box of Jan 05s right now (yes, it's probably too early). At least every other stick has an extremely tight draw. The flavor is nice, especially that final 1/3 of the stick. But it's simply not worth the effort when you feel like you've just had a full workout trying to suck these stick down.
Colt45 Posted May 20, 2006 Posted May 20, 2006 Tube - singles no codes, assume recent production. Construction: Fantastic, felt great. The cap was a bit spongy while cutting - I think I may remove the rest from their tubes. Wrapper: The color of creamy coffee. Smooth, with little oil, though outside in the light, a fine sheen was revealed. Beautiful! Draw: Just on the firm side of perfect, but not an issue - plenty of smoke. I believe that if I had removed this one from it's tube for storage, it would have been perfect. Taste: Started out like it looked - creamy, with savory spice overtones. There was a soft woodiness, with a light buttery texture. At this point, medium in body. As it progressed, it became subtly more woody, with various subtle flavors coming and going. Smooth with no harshness. At about the halfway point, cedar and straightforward tobacco became the most forward characteristics, and the power made itself known, becoming full in body. The last third showed a bit of youthful grassiness, but nothing harsh or bitter. A great cigar that I have to believe will become even greater with time. Though we're not really supposed to discuss "sources", I'll risk bending the rules:-D - I was told Smithy selected these - he is to be commended.
skindiver Posted May 20, 2006 Posted May 20, 2006 I've been smoking Cuban cigars exclusively since my first visit to Cuba in 1996.I think most of us have had a cigar or two that stands out in our memories as one of the best, or the best cigar, we ever smoked.For me,one of those was a R&J Churchill in 2000(it was a '96) It followed a lobster dinner and Havana Club 7 años,so maybe that's a prerequisite! Through the years of 1999-2000, I did experience construction issues with these and gravitated to Punch Churchills.I've since returned to the R&J's,however,taking nothing away from the Punch,as I continue to enjoy them as well. I totally agree with others who have suggested you let these age.It makes a huge diffence IMO.
anacostiakat Posted May 21, 2006 Posted May 21, 2006 I have a box from 1999 that are outrageous! I have also had some recent releases that didnt hold a candle to those '99s!
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