G. De Graaf Costa Rica churchill

[Don Fernando]

This Costa Rican puro, size Churchill, by the old Dutch brand G. de Graaff has a pretty light colored smooth wrapper and it feels just has firm everywhere, no weak spots in the construction. The predraw is somewhat tough and gives hints of pepper and raisin. I could taste the pepper on my lips. Too bad that the band is way too simple; a nicer band would make it more appealing in the presentation. The aroma is full, manure combined with hay.

After lighting the cigar I can taste pepper with some light leather on the background. While the pepper disappears the leather grows in strength. The pepper doesn’t disappear completely and is slightly noticeable on the background. The leather reminds me a lot of the leather that is so typical for Cuban cigars.

After about an inch and a half there is the aroma of chocolate with something spicy, an inch later its pepper with some leather. There cigar doesn’t grow in strength though. Halfway it is leather with some chocolate, a bit creamy. The cream has a warm feeling to it and grows in strength. The grand finale is a salty flavor.

The draw is good; it surprised me as the predraw was a bit tough. The smoke is full & white, the ash is white too and the burn is even and the cigar doesn’t die quickly.

Would I buy this cigar again? Maybe someday, won’t be a regular in my collection even though it is a good cigar

Construction: 16 / 20
Draw: 16 / 20
Appearance: 14 / 20
Smoke & ash: 8 / 10
Burn: 16 / 20
Aroma (first part) 7 / 10
Aroma (middle part) 6 / 10
Aroma (last part) 7 / 10