Gran Habano Corojo #5 Churchill cigar review 

1/20/2023

Smoked the Rothschild version 2 weeks ago and I gave it a 92.  Liked it enough, along with the price, that bought a whole box.  Not bad for $77 a box.  

Rolled in Hondurus with no Honduran tobacco.  Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper, Nicaraguan Habano binder, and Nicaraguan and Costa Rican fillers. 

Pretty good smoking weather for a Georgia winter, about 47 degrees and not much wind.  Definitely need a decent fire to keep warm.  It's Friday night, had to reward a long workweek with some Woodford Reserve bourbon.  Should go well with this one.  

Starts off pretty medium, mostly woodsy flavors turning into a sweet creamy toasted marshmallow and Graham cracker flavor.  A little spice left on the tongue.  Burning first inch a little uneven, maybe didn't light it too good.  It's calm now, but was a godd 5mph wind blowing when I lite it.  Wind seems to be swirling tonight. 

It's burning good now.  I received the box yesterday.  I usually age them out of the cellophane for a month or so before I try one, but these say they were packed Jan 2022 and looked aged, so I couldn't wait.  (You can visually see if aged by looking  at the foot and if the tobaccos are all the same color.  If a swirled color, it is too fresh. When it ages, all of the fillers will be the same color).  

Got an almost 2 inch ash and flavor is good.  OK, it dropped as I typed this.  Minor cone.  Cigar is pulling lots of smooth smoke.  A little more earthy tobacco flavor, with good oak and caramel flavors.  Not as sweet as before, but still taste the toasted graham cracker and marshmallow taste.  

Starting to taste more cedar and spice.  This one definitely more complex than the Rothschild and it should be, as it's much longer and more room to change its profile.  

I think I've lost track of time.  I think I have at least 20 min in and I'm only a third done and already experienced a lot transition.  It's a big smoke, made for a long Friday night by the fire listening to good music.  A tad more than medium, but very smooth.  Jerry Garcia's instrumental People Make the World Go Round just plays uneventful and so smooth.  Now playing some Santana Abraxes.  Even smoother than Santana "Smooth" and no cheesiness.  

This is definitely a great smooth Nicaraguan.  Strong pulls give clouds of smoke that tickles the nose and leaves good flavors of earth, caramel, and wood on the palate.  

Half way through and it's getting more full flavored.  I think I may take a bourbon break after a good 40 minutes in.  Flavors are great.  Need to replenish my palate with some coke and Woodford Reserve. 

Don't have to worry about the one going out.  5 min break and it burning perfect.  Give it up to the roller of this one. I guess they keep the best rollers in Honduras.  Like I stated in the Rothschild review, this a top notch cigar that is as good as many cigars costing much more.  Don't let the low price fool you.  

Yes, I can say I'm very happy to have bought a box.  Very satisfying and hits all the spots.  It's complex, smokes a long time, and always tastes good.  

Wind has calmed and the fire is very warm.  Hasn't needed any touch ups.  The last third is picking up some strength, a little bite of spice, cedar and charred oak.  I think the Corojo wrapper gives the slight bite of spice that keeps it very interesting.  And I'm feeling it now for sure.  Never harsh, just more flavors rolling around on my palate.  Still slight sweetness on my tongue.  I usually smoke without a drink. Might need a mixed drink to keep the flavors from overwhelming you, but it's great to me solo.  I think some who like them strong will love this one.  

Finishing strong.  Not a cigar to hand out to friends on the golf course.  This is definitely a Friday night late night smoke. 

Over an hour in and it is done everything a great cigar is supposed to do.  It's all bonus pleasure now.  Will smoke it down.  

Overall a very fine cigar.  I've forgotten that is cold out.  It just keeps delivering.  If you want a cigar that finishes you for the night, this is it.  I don't want it to end.  Last draws are still smooth and rich.  Just damb good all around.  

Overall: 94

Flavor 92, complexity 94, burn 93, experience 93, value 94.