It was a dark and stormy evening.....just like every evening for the past week or so in the Tampa area. The weather had finally cleared and it was time to try something new.
The cigar: Maximus Churchill
The drink: Disaronno Amaretto
While examining the construction I got a little worried from the start. I noticed two patch jobs on the wrapper. They were done well and appeared to perhaps just be thin spots but this does disturb me when I see it. I've seen it on cigars of all price ranges. The draw was tight. Almost too tight. I could see that it simply was packed with tobacco. I supposed it could be a bit moist as well but this thing was definitely packed. It reminded me of an AF Cuban Belicoso or CAO Criollo.
The wrapper is very dark but not maduro. I had to hunt around to find something close. It was darker than an 858 SG, not quite as dark as a PAM. It looked almost identical to an Ashton VSG. Now it is time to light it and I'm already worried about its draw, construction, and price.
It did not take long for my fears to subside. It lit perfectly. It burned perfectly. It held two inches of ash. It wasn't too moist at all, just packed. As a result, you had better have plenty of time on your hands because this is a hour and a half cigar. I couldn't smoke this thing hot if I tried. I purged it half way through and it purged like a flamethrower.
The draw was still tight, perhaps I'm just used to so many cigars that are packed loose.
After one puff it was clear that this cigar had nothing to do with the original Diamond Crown series. It was a much fuller flavor heavyweight. The smell was awesome, the taste was cocoa with a very rich smoke. Although the wrapper looked like an Ashton VSG, the taste was definitely different. In my opinion, I could have been tasting a Padron Annie Maduro. No other cigar came to mind. Unlike a PAM, it seems to drop a little of that cocoa taste about half way through. It definitely changed. I had to have a PAM today just to confirm the similarity.
I think we have a new contender on the market for sharing top shelf status with PAM and Opus. Is it worth $15? I always struggle with that question for any of the super premiums. For that price I can buy two fine churchills of another brand(s). I guess if you are one to occasionally buy cigars in that price range, this is a strong choice. It is at least worth trying one.
I'll await Penzt8's review of the robusto or corona....
Tom
