Benchmade churchill

Don Fernando · 05-13-2010, 09:04 AM

The Nicaraguan puro Benchmade is made by Don Pepin Garcia with a very consumer friendly price tag. I found boxes of these churchills for less than 70$ at some online cigar shops, which is a steal for these beauties. I got this churchill from a close friend who knew I had never smoked these and that I dig most Pepin made smokes.

This 7x50 Churchill comes packed in cellophane and once released I can smell a mild sour barnyard aroma. The cigar looks good with a nice, dark and oily wrapper that feels silky. The cigar has a tiny pigtail on top. The cigar feels a bit soft, but it is evenly soft so I don't expect construction errors. The predraw is fine and tastes like peppery raisin.

I taste a strong coffee flavor with black pepper. After an inch I also taste a strong wood flavor, the coffee becomes the supporting flavor, the pepper tones down a bit and I also taste some chocolate. These flavors continue to be present, although the coffee fades away until I can't taste it anymore.

Halfway the chocolate gains some strength but that only lasts for about an inch, after that the chocolate is back to the previous weaker strength. At ⅔ the flavors change to toast with chocolate on the background. Near the finish the cigar gets spicy.

Even though this is a 7 inch churchill, the cigar only lasted me 75 minutes, but during that time I got plenty of medium thick smoke. The draw is fine, but the burn was a bit crooked. The ash is dark colored and quite firm. If you would ask me about the strength of the cigar I would tell you that it is definitely full flavored and medium bodied.

Would I buy this cigar again? Yes, I liked it a lot

Appearance: 7 / 10
Construction: 7 / 10
Draw: 7 / 10
Burn: 6 / 10
Smoke & ash: 7 / 10
Aroma first part: 7 / 10
Aroma second part: 7 / 10
Aroma third part: 8 / 10

MedicCook · 05-13-2010, 09:08 AM

Thanks for the review Ferdie.

I have been hit or miss on these.

kelmac07 · 05-13-2010, 09:37 AM

Thanks for the review Ferdie...have not had the pleasure of trying a Benchmade. Will keep my eye out.

Gooner · 05-13-2010, 10:13 AM

Thanks for the review. Might get some to try out on my next online order.

05-13-2010, 10:25 AM

wow i can't belive the ash you got on that thing wow. i'd have to agree with ryan, i have had really good ones and some okay ones.

CigarNut · 05-13-2010, 10:30 AM

Thanks for the review. I always enjoy Pepin cigars and will have to give this one a try.

05-13-2010, 09:04 AM	#1
Don Fernando Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ferdinand Location: Singapore Posts: 10,068 Trading: (29)	Benchmade churchill The Nicaraguan puro Benchmade is made by Don Pepin Garcia with a very consumer friendly price tag. I found boxes of these churchills for less than 70$ at some online cigar shops, which is a steal for these beauties. I got this churchill from a close friend who knew I had never smoked these and that I dig most Pepin made smokes. This 7x50 Churchill comes packed in cellophane and once released I can smell a mild sour barnyard aroma. The cigar looks good with a nice, dark and oily wrapper that feels silky. The cigar has a tiny pigtail on top. The cigar feels a bit soft, but it is evenly soft so I don't expect construction errors. The predraw is fine and tastes like peppery raisin. I taste a strong coffee flavor with black pepper. After an inch I also taste a strong wood flavor, the coffee becomes the supporting flavor, the pepper tones down a bit and I also taste some chocolate. These flavors continue to be present, although the coffee fades away until I can't taste it anymore. Halfway the chocolate gains some strength but that only lasts for about an inch, after that the chocolate is back to the previous weaker strength. At ⅔ the flavors change to toast with chocolate on the background. Near the finish the cigar gets spicy. Even though this is a 7 inch churchill, the cigar only lasted me 75 minutes, but during that time I got plenty of medium thick smoke. The draw is fine, but the burn was a bit crooked. The ash is dark colored and quite firm. If you would ask me about the strength of the cigar I would tell you that it is definitely full flavored and medium bodied. Would I buy this cigar again? Yes, I liked it a lot Appearance: 7 / 10 Construction: 7 / 10 Draw: 7 / 10 Burn: 6 / 10 Smoke & ash: 7 / 10 Aroma first part: 7 / 10 Aroma second part: 7 / 10 Aroma third part: 8 / 10 __________________ check out my reviews on my blog.

05-13-2010, 09:08 AM	#2
MedicCook Mila smoked my cigar Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Ryan Location: Schaghticoke, NY Posts: 10,946 Trading: (7)	Re: Benchmade churchill Thanks for the review Ferdie. I have been hit or miss on these. __________________ 27 World Series Championship's "If your wife doesn't like the aroma of your cigar, change your wife.", Zino Davidoff

05-13-2010, 09:37 AM	#3
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: Benchmade churchill Thanks for the review Ferdie...have not had the pleasure of trying a Benchmade. Will keep my eye out. __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

05-13-2010, 10:13 AM	#4
Gooner Still Watching My Back Join Date: May 2010 First Name: Chris Location: Belgium Posts: 150 Trading: (0)	Re: Benchmade churchill Thanks for the review. Might get some to try out on my next online order.

05-13-2010, 10:25 AM	#5
apNgb Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Benchmade churchill wow i can't belive the ash you got on that thing wow. i'd have to agree with ryan, i have had really good ones and some okay ones.

05-13-2010, 10:30 AM	#6
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,042 Trading: (111*)	Re: Benchmade churchill Thanks for the review. I always enjoy Pepin cigars and will have to give this one a try. __________________ Need Beads? Need Five Finger Bags? 2 of 3 Requirements for use of the CA Rolodex: 100 posts/ 60 day membership/ participation in trade (trader rating). New members can be added at any time.