The Last Tsar Churchill by Caldwell Cigars 9/10/17

 

Appearance 

A reddish brown colored wrapper with a couple prominent veins. The seams are mostly tight. There is a bit of mottling as well as some tooth. There is a nice oily sheen covering the cigar. The filler is well packed with no soft spots. 

Aroma 

Barnyard, cedar and sweetness on the wrapper. The same at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Cedar, molasses, black licorice and spice

1st

The initial draws bring notes of cedar with a pinch of molasses sweetness and a dash of warm spice. The draw is just a tiny bit snug. The burn has a small wave. The ash is salt&pepper gray and stacked. Burn gets really erratic, about 60* and the ash curls in 2 different directions. I begin implementing simple physics immediately. Upon removal of the very suspect ash at the end of the 1st I inspect the working end and find 3 tunnels and the cone off to one side causing the erratic burn. 

2nd

Self correction continues and is down to 30*. Smoke production is at the high end of medium. The finish is long with notes of cedar, molasses, black licorice and red pepper spice with a dash of black pepper. The draw has opened up nicely. Ash has been very flaky. Late in the 2nd the burn has fully self corrected. Some nutty notes join the profile. 

Final/3rd

Flavor profile remains consistent into the final/3rd. Light coffee notes join the profile. Strength remained medium+ til now when it moves to med/full. 

Overall

The Last Tsar Churchill by Caldwell Cigars provides a moderately enjoyable smoking experience. With a nice flavor profile, good draw and erratic burn. A bit pricy for what it delivered.