Benchmade churchill

[Don Fernando]

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.

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af186/cigarguide/reviews/benchmadechurchill1.jpg

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.

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af186/cigarguide/reviews/benchmadechurchill2.jpg

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.

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af186/cigarguide/reviews/benchmadechurchill3.jpg

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.

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af186/cigarguide/reviews/benchmadechurchill4.jpg

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.

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af186/cigarguide/reviews/benchmadechurchill5.jpg

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]

Thanks for the review Ferdie. :tu I have been hit or miss on these.

[kelmac07]

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

[Gooner]

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

[apNgb]

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]

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