El Cobre churchill

[Don Fernando]

These El Cobre cigars are a well kept secret amongst a small group of cigar aficionados who had the pleasure of tasting these fine Nicaraguan cigars. Word on the streets is that this blend, named after an old coppermine town in Cuba, was the private blend for Gilberto Oliva. I had the pleasure of smoking the robusto, torpedo and the toro in the past and I remember that all were very full bodied, especially the toro that kicked my ass. This 7x48 churchill is at least two years old and it has a price tag of € 5,50 here in The Netherlands.



I spot a very nice band underneath the cellophane. The wrapper is nice, oily and dark with a vein here and there. The wrapper has a leathery look to it. The construction feels a bit hard, but the predraw is fine. I taste a mild raisin flavor. When I release the cigar from the cellophane I smell a strong barnyard smell.



I taste a full and strong coffee flavor with pepper. The coffee is the main flavor. After half an inch I also taste some wood and the pepper disappeared. After an inch and a half I also taste some herbs and the pepper returns, but milder than before. The coffee becomes a bit stronger.



Halfway the coffee disappears, I taste wood and herbs with a pepper aftertaste. After ⅔ I only taste herbs with lots of pepper, but the pepper isn't sharp nor harsh. The final few puffs give herbs only.



This cigar is full bodied and full flavored, but not as strong as the toro or the other vitolas. Or maybe I can take more nowadays. The smoke time is two hours and fifteen minutes. The draw is good, just like the burn. The ash is almost white and firm. I got plenty of smoke, but the smoke is thin.



Would I buy this cigar again? I might, although I like the torpedo and robusto better.

Appearance: 8 / 10
Construction: 7 / 10
Draw: 7 / 10
Burn: 7 / 10
Smoke & ash: 7 / 10
Aroma first part: 7 / 10
Aroma second part: 7 / 10
Aroma third part: 8 / 10