This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
The blend uses a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and Nicaraguan fillers. It comes in seven sizes: Churchill: 7 x 50, Torpedo: 6 1/4 x 54, Gordo: 6 1/4 x 60, Toro: 6 x 52, Robusto: 5 x 50, Bajito : 4 1/4 x 52, and Diamond Rough Cut: 6 1/4 x 54. MSRP’s range from $6.75 to $8.50.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Churchill Length: 7″ Ring Gauge: 50 Country of Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A. Blender: Alan Rubin Number of reviewers: 5 – Sean F. (fullermaine) Alan(Eulogy) Kevin A. (Kevin A.) Matt Cade (CADE) Kevin J. (maninblack77) Price: $9.30 Age: 10 Months Release Date: April 2013 Contributed by: Alec Bradley Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 94
“It looks great. I mean, it’s a very large Churchill with a beautiful deep brick red wrapper, solidly uniform in color. I licked my finger then rubbed the cap to see if any dye came off but this is just a naturally attractive wrapper. There’s a well applied triple cap and the seams are almost invisible.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Aroma: 94
“This has all the aromas I’m looking for in a cigar. Dark roasted coffee aromas fill my nostrils. Lots of earth and pure tobacco. I have a feeling this could be a winner for sure. Let’s see what it has in store for us.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
“There’s sweetness on the cold draw prior to lighting the large cigar on fire. Upon ignition, there’s copious amounts of strong black pepper and chocolate via the retrohale while the draw brings in equally strong flavors of oak and espresso. Smoke production is impressive in the early goings as a thick white cloud quickly fills the room. Right when I start to quietly wish that the oak would settle down a bit so I can focus in on the other notes present, a mineral component enters and helps to achieve some balance on the draw. Nicely done Mystery Cigar, nicely done…” –Matt Cade (CADE)
“The first few puffs of the cigar deliver a heavy, natural tobacco sweetness, along with espresso, molasses, and charred oak. As the cigar burns a little more into the first third, the charred oak turns into more of a charred steak and the sweetness becomes an overall “meatiness” with a nice, thick heavy smoke that you just want to hold in your mouth and enjoy. The retrohale has that same charred steak note to it and is just making for an outright pleasant smoking experience. Draw is just about perfect. The burn is a little lopsided, but should even out nicely.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
“The second third of the cigar finds its way to a sense of balance between the multitude of deep flavors all hitting your palate at once. The oak on the draw has been somewhat tempered now as the coffee and mineral step up a notch and that pepper spice on the nose settles down just a bit, sadly the chocolate note all but fades away at this point… here’s hoping that it will return later on. Construction remains very good with a smooth draw and no burn issues whatsoever.” –Matt Cade (CADE)
“With the exception of the hint of earth notes, the spiciness sticks around. Notes of cinnamon and licorice are front and center.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)
“Getting into the final third a little touch up is necessary to even up the burn. Black pepper is emerging as the dominant note, with the thick and meaty notes fading into the background. Pepper, espresso, dominate, and the charred wood makes a return to the game getting into the final third. The retrohale has a unique zing to it now, with just a slight amount of black pepper, some orange zest, and a menthol like note and this is how the cigar finishes” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
“I’m definitely glad I set aside 2 hours to enjoy this cigar. Because I didn’t want it to end. As I said earlier, not a lot of flavor transition, but the flavors were excellent. Coffee, dark chocolate, earth, all mixed together in a flavor stew. Nubbed this bad boy to the end. ” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 94
“The cigar featured a super smooth draw throughout the entire smoking experience. ” –Matt Cade (CADE)
Burn: 91
“The cigar burned crooked all they way through and needed a touch up in the final third.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
Construction: 91
“Overall construction was very good, with an open draw and no burn issues throughout the smoking experience. Smoke production was especially note worthy. ” –Matt Cade (CADE)
“If you like a spicy stick, then this stick is for you. A small hint of earth notes early, leads to cinnamon and licorice spices for the rest of this stick. So much spice that it kicked my @$$. Very full bodied!” –Sean F. (fullermaine)
“Since I only have one cigar to review I have to say I hate it. It refused to stay lit and the draw was so tight it made it a chore to smoke. I found myself having to keep an uncomfortable pace just to not reach for my lighter. The sear size, lack of transitions in the profile, and effort ruined any enjoyment I look for while smoking.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“This is a cigar that is for sure “meaty”. The flavor profile, while not overly strong, per se, is solid. Right at the top of the medium/full range in strength and body. Smoking this made me want to prep a tomahawk steak for the grill. This would be a good pairing with a steak dinner for sure, as well as a nice smoky single malt. It produces copious amounts of smoke that you can “chew”! It is a big, cigar, so make sure that you set aside a good two hours to smoke it. Definitely a cigar for more experienced smokers, and something I will definitely keep in my humidor.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
“I thoroughly enjoyed tonight’s cigar! It had some of my flavors present throughout – coffee, mineral, chocolate, and spice – and it transitioned nicely thought the smoking experience to feature those notes sometime front and center and sometimes a bit in the background. They were all there, always, but to varying degrees and I love that type of roller coaster ride. Especially given the lengthier smoking duration of almost 90 minutes, I would smoke this cigar again and again.” –Matt Cade (CADE)
“Truly extraordinary from start to finish. Flavors just worked together to create an enjoyable experience for me. Easily gets an ‘Extraordinary’ from me. Box worthy? No question about it. Will definitely hunt these down. ” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
Blind Cigar Review: Alec Bradley | Nica Puro Churchill
Summary
"This is a cigar that is for sure "meaty". The flavor profile, while not overly strong, persey, is solid. Right at the top of the Med/Full range in strength and body. Smoking this made me want to prep a Tomahawk steak for the grill. This would be a good pairing with a steak dinner for sure, as well as a nice smoky Single Malt. It produces copious amounts of smoke that you can "chew"! It is a big, cigar, so make sure that you set aside a good 2 hours to smoke it. Definitely a cigar for more experienced smokers, and something I will definitely keep in my humidor" -Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
