Pre-light Experience

The wrapper is a very deep brown. There are some easily visible veins along with some lighter spots on the wrapper. The seams are slightly visible but very smooth. The wrapper also has a bumpy texture like fine grit sandpaper. There are three caps with the last one slightly lifted on one side. The cigar has an oval press to it. The primary band uses red instead of the blue on the original Protocol. There is also a secondary band that reads Probable Cause and uses the same color scheme. The aroma from the wrapper is barnyard and leather. The aroma from the foot is fairly sweet, something I would relate to cherry. The pre-light draw is the same cherry sweetness, just dialed back a bit. There is also a bit of a spicy tingle on my lips.

Pre-light Experience

The Protocol Probable Cause Churchill has a dark and hearty Mexican San Andres wrapper. A nice tooth is represented throughout the entire wrapper. The box press is well executed with an even and uniform look. The head is finished off with a well adhered triple cap. The cigar feels well rolled as there are no soft spots and an even give distributed throughout the entire cigar. Pre-light wrapper aroma provides damp earth, cedar, white pepper spice and slight flowers. Foot aroma gives deep notes of white pepper and sharp cedar followed by damp earth. Cold draw tells lip tingling white pepper, cedar and earthy minerality.

First Third

Initial light brings some intense pepper to the mouth and retrohale. After a few draws, the pepper settles down and a creamy and earthy wood is now present. A quarter inch in, the cream gains some sweetness to go along with the earthy wood. The retrohale is primarily just cream. Three quarters of an inch in and the earthiness has gone away. The profile is very creamy wood. The retrohale is still very creamy but with a little bit of pepper now mixed in. Passing the one inch mark, some char comes in to mix with the wood and creaminess. And inch and a half in and some earthiness returns. There is now a really nice mix of cream, charred wood and earth. Nearing the end of the third, the profile becomes a bit darker as the charred wood and earthiness become more prominent and the cream is in the background. The retrohale is still primarily creamy with a little bit of woodiness. The strength in this third is right at medium.

First Third

The Probable Cause Churchill from first draw provides rich, medium-full tannins. Immediately, there is an abundance of sweet and creamy milk chocolate. Following the chocolate, damp earth and rich cedar. Roughly two inches in, the chocolate transitions into a semi-sweet chocolate, but still supplying a great dose of sweet and creaminess. Through the nose, just the right amount of black pepper spice, cedar and dry nuttiness. The finish consists of semi-sweet chocolate, cedar, damp earth and dried nuts lingering on for minutes on end. The aroma of the smoke is very fragrant, providing a rich cedar note. Body is at a medium-full and strength at a consistent medium.

Second Third

This third continues with the earthiness and charred wood up front and cream on the back end. A half inch in, the earthiness and char fade back a little bit with the wood staying as the primary flavor. An inch and a quarter in and some earthiness comes back with a bit of minerality as well. At an inch and a half, the earthiness and minerality goes away and the char returns to the wood with the cream still remaining in the background. Nearing the end of the third, the char fades a little and the woodiness is more defined as oak. The retrohale also represents the same oak. The strength in this third is right at medium.

Second Third

The second third is where the cigar hits its stride. Still at the heart of it, semi-sweet chocolate, cedar and dry nuttiness. Coffee and leather enters into the profile, providing a wider profile of flavors. The tannins build from medium-plus to full, caking my palate with a rich thickness. An inch into the second third, an inviting dry black pepper rolls in, adding yet another dimension into the mix. Through the retrohale, still the same amount of black pepper, cedar and dry nuttiness. The finish still lingers with semi-sweet chocolate, cedar, damp earth and dried nuts. Body is elevated from medium-full to full and strength is still at a consistent medium.

Final Third

This third continues with the primary flavor of oak. The retrohale is also oak but with some minerality on the finish. A half inch in and some of the char returns to the oak. An inch in, the earthiness returns and comes to the front of the profile with the charred oak still remaining. An inch and a half in and the profile is becoming very dark with the earthiness and charred oak pairing up. There is a nice zing on the retrohale with these flavors as well. The dark profile is how the cigar finishes. The strength in this third was slightly above medium.

Final Third

The last third picks up its stride from the second third. Still providing full tannins with flavors of semi-sweet chocolate, cedar, dry nuttiness, coffee, black pepper and leather. A new note of bitterness is recognized, working well with the cedar wood. Through the nose, still black pepper, cedar and dry nuttiness. The finish still consists of a lasting semi-sweet chocolate, cedar, damp earth and dried nuts. Body and strength is still at full and medium, respectively.

Burn

The burn was pretty good. It got fairly wavy at times, but always caught up. I never had to touch it up. The ash held on in inch and a half segments.

Burn

The burn was fantastic. Slow and cool burn rate giving 2 hours of smoking time. The beautiful toothy ash was sturdy and averaged two inch self-ashed marks.

Draw

The draw was just slightly tighter than I prefer, but not really anything to complain about.

Overall

The flavors that the cigar presented were pretty good. Not quite as dark as most San Andres wrapped cigars are. It got to that point in the final third, but the first two thirds were lighter than I typically experience which was a welcome trait. This is easily approachable by any level smoker and could be enjoyed late morning or later in the day. It would pair really well with most drinks. I know it’s odd to say, but I’d really like to try this with a cola or mixed drink with cola as an ingredient. Definitely recommend picking some up to see if it fits with your profile.

Draw

The draw was average as it was a bit tight for my liking. Even cutting very close to the bottom of the cap, I had the same tight draw.

Overall

Cubariqueno’s sophomore release of the Probable Cause continues to play with the varsity team. Among the sea of Mexican San Andres, this one stands a notch above the rest. This is a cigar that is full of flavor without knocking you down with strength. In other words, this is well worth one’s smoking time and money.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

7.20

Cost/Point

$1.37

Scoring System

Jiunn Liu

SCORE

7.73

Cost/Point

$1.28

Scoring System