Notes & évaluations
Note de la rédaction
Note des amateurs
Soyez le premier
Organoleptic profile
Strength
medium
Balance
very good
Draw
slightly tight
Intensity
expressive
- Bouquet
- complex
- Finish
- long
- Ash color
- gray
- Smoke output
- medium
Aroma profile
Secondary aromas
Tasting notes
The Alonso Menendez Churchill presents itself with a seductive Brazilian wrapper. Its generous dimensions of 177.8 mm in length and a diameter of 19.1 mm provide a comfortable grip. The wrapper has a pleasant texture, promising a tasting experience that meets your expectations.
Upon first contact, the pre-light aromas suggest a rich aromatic palette where notes of roasted coffee, leather, and wood intertwine. Upon lighting, these sensations reveal themselves more intensely, evolving into floral and slightly earthy nuances, adding a complex dimension to the experience.
On the palate, this cigar reveals a fascinating development throughout its thirds. The flavors layer beautifully, offering a coherence that delights. Thus, the beginning is marked by a floral sweetness, followed by an increasing intensity in the second third, where coffee and wood assert themselves, while the finish presents a harmonious balance between strength and the finesse of the aromas.
The finish is of beautiful length, with a pleasant persistence that recalls the floral and woody notes. The balance between strength and sweetness is noteworthy, making this cigar a particularly enticing option for those seeking a rich and nuanced experience.
To savor this cigar, a moment in the late afternoon would be ideal, accompanied by an intense black coffee or a smooth whisky to enhance the coffee and wood aromas gently.
Community impressions
Enthusiasts of this cigar highlight its excellent value for money and aromatic balance. With its pre-light aromas of coffee, leather, and wood, it offers a rich and satisfying experience, despite a slightly difficult draw. The floral notes add a beautiful complexity that will delight aficionados.
How to taste: Alonso Menendez Churchill
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1.The Visual Examination
The Alonso Menendez Churchill features a very dark, intense maduro wrapper, almost black, immediately drawing the eye. With a length of 177.8 mm and a ring gauge of 48, this Churchill-format cigar exudes a certain presence, although its construction appears mediocre.
Observing the color and construction provides an initial insight into the quality of the tobacco and its aromatic potential — a well-crafted and smooth wrapper can often foreshadow a successful smoking experience.
2.Pre-light Aromas
Before lighting the cigar, taking a moment to smell its wrapper reveals complex aromas of coffee, leather, and wood. These intense notes foreshadow the richness of the tasting experience to come.
This step is crucial for anticipating the flavors that will develop with heat — it allows you to refine your focus and adjust your aromatic expectations for the tasting.
3.The Cut
Make a standard straight cut just below the cap to ensure an optimal draw. This ensures that air flows freely through the cigar, a key point for fully appreciating its aromas.
A proper cut promotes a consistent draw — a poor cut could lead to difficulties during consumption, thus hindering the exploration of flavors.
4.Cold Draw
The cold draw of the Alonso Menendez Churchill proves to be somewhat difficult, indicating a potential obstruction within the cigar. This sensation may be a sign of imperfect construction or inappropriate humidity.
Evaluating the cold draw allows for the identification of potential defects before lighting — a complicated draw might require a slight re-cut to ensure a pleasant smoking experience.
5.Lighting
Lighting the cigar requires particular care to ensure an even burn. Take the time to toast the foot evenly, allowing for a beautiful initiation of the aromas.
A careless lighting can cause canoeing, where part of the cigar burns faster — by ensuring a good ignition, one guarantees a pleasant tasting experience without interruptions.
6.First Third
The first third of the Alonso Menendez Churchill is characterized by medium strength and dominant aromas of coffee, leather, and wood. The smoke volume is also medium, offering a well-balanced experience.
This initial stage is often the most intense — observing the flavors that unfold allows for a better understanding of the evolution of aromas throughout the tasting.
7.Second Third
As you progress through the cigar, the second third reveals secondary aromas such as floral, roasted, and herbal notes, while maintaining a very good balance. These nuances enrich the overall experience.
This phase is crucial for appreciating the complexity of the blend — the evolution of flavors reflects the quality of the tobacco and the mastery of the blend.
8.The Finish
At the end of the tasting, the gray ash indicates a proper burn. The finish is marked by a beautiful floral and woody persistence, prolonging the pleasure long after releasing the smoke.
Observing the color of the ash and the finish allows for a judgment of the minerality and quality of the cigar — a beautiful finish often reflects a meticulous manufacturing process.