hey guys thanks for the quick response. I will be cutting off the tasting at this point 10/18/2004 all spots are taken. I have requested som additonal sticks from ernesto Padilla to take care of everyone that has responded. If you did not receive a tracking number, dont worry i will be getting these extra sticks in by weeks end and will be sure to get them to those who replied. Other wise enjoy the smokes and i Look forward to hearing back from you.
I was hoping to let them sit in my humi for a week or so.
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People aren't smoking cigars to be trendy, cool or stylish. They're smoking cigars because they like them. Because they enjoy the experience. Because for about $5 they can spend an hour sampling one of life's greatest luxuries. -David Savona
Posts: 1157 | Location: Ferndale, MI | Registered: October 03, 2004
That is a good point about the resting, was going to ask it myself! I think there is merit to smoking them straight away- if one wants a straight consumer profile. That of course is assuming they are similar in rg to that of a cigar store. I think my hardest thing will be not judging them against each other, so rather than holding for resting i may fire the best condition one first and then alternate between these and other brands until all are judged. SHould be fun!
I smoked the robusto as soon as I got it and liked it.The only other NCs that I care for are Avo and Padron.I was surprised, looking forward to trying the other two.
Just received them. I'll light one up this weekend for sure.
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People aren't smoking cigars to be trendy, cool or stylish. They're smoking cigars because they like them. Because they enjoy the experience. Because for about $5 they can spend an hour sampling one of life's greatest luxuries. -David Savona
Posts: 1157 | Location: Ferndale, MI | Registered: October 03, 2004
Smoked the Robusto Claro Natural last night, and it was very similar to the hybrid if memory serves correct. Flavors of sweet vanilla and cream, cedar, medium bodied medium strength. A very nice smoke that is very enjoyable. I am very much looking forward to the Maduro, I haven't had a Padilla yet that I didn't enjoy!
Posts: 491 | Location: Ithaca, NY | Registered: April 19, 2004
First, I want to thank you for the smokes!! In return, here's my partial review.
Churchill Hybrid Appearance: 9 Simply gorgeous, with a slight tooth Construction: 8.5 After cutting, it unraveled a bit, but it earned back points because the draw was sospectacular. We're talking MASSES of rich smoke Flavor: 9.5 WONDERFUL!! Started very nice, but then warmed to excellent with nuts, nutmeg, cedar and a very nice tobacco flavor. Value: 9 At $6.50, this is a fabulous smoke for a good price Overall: 9.2 This was a fabulous cigar that was a treat to experience
Robusto Claro Natural Appearance: 9 It looked like the hybrid at night, but in daylight, the wrapper was a little lighter and smoother with a nice golden hue Constuction: 8 Draw was a bit firm, but there was a nice amount of smoke Flavor: 7 It was good. Not great, but good. Kind of charry with a little burnt cedar. Also a little too peppery Value: 8 A good smoke at that price. Certainly much better than others Overall: 8.8 This was a really good smoke. I would recommend it!
Posts: 112 | Location: Chicago, IL | Registered: October 09, 2003
I just picked mine up at the PO. Will be smoking the robusto today before I head to class at 7pm. They all look great and I'm looking forward to smoking all three.I will post my thoughts later tonight.
------------------------ I went to a cigar store, the man behind the counter asked me, "What kind of cigars do you like?" I answered, "It's a Boys." --Mitch Hedberg
Posts: 530 | Location: Albany, New York | Registered: January 21, 2004
UPS man dropped mine off this morning..too bad I dont have time to smoke tonight, Im gonna light up that churchill before I go to class tomorrow though for sure.
*Im new and plan to smoke every brand I see*
Posts: 160 | Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Registered: October 06, 2004
I am two out of three on these, with the maduro in waiting. The robusto claro natural I will rate here and now. Appearance-9 good wrapper, thin veins, and a perfect cap from all outward appearances a winner although a little age would have oiled up the wrapper perhaps. construction-5 Cut perfectly- and drew well. As cigar heated up though it collapsed- major soft spot about1.5 inch in and well to the band. Burnt pretty well though. Band also tore wrapper even though cigar was well warm and band begining to singe before i removed it. Flavor-7- Mild white pepper and wood notes slight sweet tones also. I think it has potential though as the softness had to heat and bitter up the flavor some. Value-7- at 550 before tax this is up against many formidable brands. Overall-7 or in CA style prob84 to 86. Additional comments- There is a paradox when rateing free cigars- you always want to give a nod for generousity, but I have tried not to lose objectivity, and wrote this fairly. One thing that is intrinsic to a cigar that i did notice was the feel that the blend was representing something- not just thrown together based on polls or focus groups. I would say just a bit more attention to the bunching and this one could bump up a notch!
Okay now goes the churchill hybrid-6.50 Appearance-9- sweet looking cigar- wrapper even nicer than the robusto- very toothy and good oil. Perfect cap- this company really does it on the caps! thin veins. Construction-6- once again a soft spot- this one was more obvious before lighting. and closer to the end. Only affected cigars first half- but did contribute to uneaven burn. Flavor-8- Milder than robusto, but perhaps more flavor. Nice wood tones and some charry ones too. sweet nuts and slight leather. When affected by the soft spots there was a papery note also. Value-7-$6.50 pre tax- once again this is a meat of the market price point, this cigar will blend into it, but not stand above it. Overall-7.5- CA style 86-87. Additional comments- this cigar would be a nice one to age a bit- if it could take on some creamyness- or just smooth a little it would be right in the CAO original line or the macanudos neck of the woods. A little more spice and it would be in bauza or HDM arena. But overall a nice cigar. I would not hesitate to buy more and see if construction is a problem or a blip. I must say though from all outward appearances these cigars looked great- good wraps just dumb luck on the bunching.
Comments: The wrapper was a little bitter, perhaps it needed a little more time to "settle". This one had an excellent taste of spice and nutiness to begin with, it lingered on my lips and was absolutley delicous. But half way through it turned to a damp earth taste, had to discard. Again this could have possibly been the lack of settling time.
This price range has some stiff competition. Overall these cigars, look great (I love the bands), are constructed good, and I think they would taste just as good if they were given a couple months in the humidor. I am going to buy a couple and let them sit and see for myself. I would personally like to thank Billy Ferriolo for this oppritunity to taste the cigars. I look forward to being able to repeat this experience in the furture :-)
"There are very few personal problems that cannot be solved through a suitable application of high explosives."
Syrinx, the band tore the wrapper off of my robusto also. The cigar was smoked down right to the band and as I tried to tear off the band the wrapper stuck to it and tore a nice chunk of the wrapper. After that I didn't enjoy the smoke because it didn't burn properly.
------------------------ I went to a cigar store, the man behind the counter asked me, "What kind of cigars do you like?" I answered, "It's a Boys." --Mitch Hedberg
Posts: 530 | Location: Albany, New York | Registered: January 21, 2004
My tear was minor enough to not really impare the smoke too much- but it is not something i have had happen more than a couple times in the last 20 years.
robusto claro Appearance - 8 Construction - 8 Flavor - 8 Value - 9 Overall -8 Additional comments - Very nice construction on this cigar. Only problem is that the band tore off a good size chunk of the wrapper (This maybe a production problem). A nice creamy flavor, with tons of thick smoke. The draw was perfect. Nice white ash that hung-on right up to the band.
------------------------ I went to a cigar store, the man behind the counter asked me, "What kind of cigars do you like?" I answered, "It's a Boys." --Mitch Hedberg
Posts: 530 | Location: Albany, New York | Registered: January 21, 2004
