Pre-light Experience

The wrapper is slightly darker than medium brown and has some even darker marbling in some places. There are a few medium sized raised veins running down one side of the cigar. The seams are visible due to the color variations but very smooth and the head is finished off with a well applied triple cap. There are two bands. The primary being the standard Winston Churchill design but in black and gold. The second band is a strip band in the same color combination denoting the line name. The aroma from the wrapper is a sweet hay while the foot gives sweet wood with an underlying spice. The pre-light draw is a light wood with a decent spice level. There is also a spicy tingle on my lips.

Pre-light Experience

The Davidoff Winston Churchill The Late Hour Churchill has an oily and slick dark chocolate brown wrapper. Veins are well pressed and seams tight. Bunch and roll feels well executed as there is a uniformed give throughout. The head is finished off with a thick triple cap. Nosing the wrapper gives full and distinct perfumed flowers and spicy cedar. Nosing the foot tells spicy cedar, black pepper and a hint of stone fruit sweetness. Cold draw tells aged cedar, stone fruit sweetness and balanced black pepper.

First Third

Initial draws start off very mellow with light wood and subtle spice. At a quarter inch in, the profile becomes fuller with enhanced wood and a more potent spice level. The retrohale carries a slightly mellower version of the same profile. At a half inch in, the spice mellows some and creates a better mix with the wood note. At an inch in, the profile is very smooth as some slight creaminess has joined in with the wood and mellow spice note. At an inch and a half, I’m finally getting a very subtle note of the barrel aging as all of the individual components are working in unison. The retrohale carries a very similar profile, but a little more spice forward. The strength in this third was slightly below medium.

First Third

First third has a fairly smooth profile. There’s no spike in any particular flavor(s), instead it’s quite balanced. Mouth draw flavors of dry cedar, lightly sweetened cream, bread, intermittent espresso beans and a subtle stone fruit that at times tastes sherried. Retrohaling tells black pepper, dry wood and creamed mixed nuts. The finish is light with namely a lasting dry wood. Strength and body is medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the mix of wood, spice and slight creaminess continues on. At three quarters of an inch, the creaminess subsides while the wood and subtle spice remain. The profile is slightly drying. At an inch and a quarter, some creaminess returns which brings the nice mixture back together and knocks out the dryness. As the third comes to a close, the spice increases a bit over the wood while some creaminess remains in the background. The strength in this third is right at medium.

Second Third

Earth minerality joins the profile while at the same time the subtle stone fruit character is lost. Other than that, the mouth draws still consists of dry cedar, lightly sweetened cream, bread and intermittent espresso beans. Retrohaling has no changes and is still black pepper, dry wood and creamed mixed nuts. The finish picks up the same earth minerals as well as dry wood. Strength is slightly above medium while body maintains medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the wood gains a bit of char while the spice moves back to even with the wood. There is still a slight creaminess in the background. At an inch in, the char slightly increases with the spice and cream on the finish. As the cigar comes to a close, the charred wood remains up front with some spice and creaminess in the background. The strength in this third remained at medium.

Final Third

No changes to note for the last third. The profile is still earth minerals, dry cedar, subtly sweetened cream, bread and intermittent espresso beans. Retrohaling giving black pepper, dry wood, creamed mixed nuts. Finish with earth minerals and dry wood. Strength is still around medium to medium-full and body medium.

Burn

The burn was very good through the first two thirds as it was very sharp. In the final third, I had to perform a couple of re-lights. The ash held on in about inch and a half increments.

Burn

Perfection in every way. Razor sharp burn line, sturdy ashes and a cool and slow burn.

Draw

The draw was perfect with just the right amount of resistance that I prefer.

Overall

This was a cigar that I was looking forward to smoking when I heard the announcement and it didn’t disappoint. Of the barrel aged offerings that I’ve smoked from Davidoff/Camacho, this is the one where I felt I got the most barrel aged notes. The cigar started off slightly unbalanced but quickly found its mark. The barrel aging is very subtle, but it is there. When smoking a Winston Churchill, you have to smoke the Churchill size first, but this one ran out of a bit of steam at the end. I’m very interested in trying the shorter vitolas to see if the profile can maintain itself all the way through. If you’re a fan of the Winston Churchill line or Scotch, I would say this is a must try.

Draw

The ideal draw giving perfect resistance and air flow.

Overall

Overall, the cigar is good. The profile was smooth and flavors engaging throughout the entire smoking time. The only (major) aspect lacking is being able to bring enough of the influence of scotch notes, specifically Speyside scotch notes. I tasted minimal or none of what I come to expect from Speyside scotches such as stone fruits, peated smoke, citrus, etc. I’d love to try this cigar with more barrel time if Davidoff ever chooses to execute such a variant.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

6.62

Cost/Point

$3.04

Scoring System

Jiunn Liu

SCORE

7.17

Cost/Point

$2.80

Scoring System

Team Cigar Review: Winston Churchill The Late Hour Churchill