Hello, and welcome to this month’s coverage of that venerable classic, the Churchill. We have a bevy of these heavy hitters for you this episode, including: Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Sorcerer, Ashton Estate Sun Grown 20 Year Salute, Cubao No. 1, Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Diplomatico Maduro, and the Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Diplomatico Maduro.

As I have said many times, and will continue to say, my favorite cigar is by far the Churchill. Maybe that is because of my stature, or maybe I am just trying to overcompensate. Whichever the case, when it comes to reviewing cigars, nothing sets my pen ablaze faster than a good set of Churchills. That being said, this batch was pretty amazing. Every cigar on the list is in the upper 80’s to lower 90’s, based on a ranking scale of 50-100. So, without further ado, first up at bat is a pretty nice cigar from the Dominican Republic, the Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Sorcerer.

Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Sorcerer

Coming out of the prestigious Arturo Fuente house, the Ashton Sorcerer earns its mystical name by providing the smoker with a truly magical experience. Its dark, oily skin brings to mind scantily clad Santerian witches dancing in the dark, lulling unsuspecting passersby into their waiting grasps.

Okay, so maybe that is a bit much; suffice it to say this cigar, for me was a real treat. From its hint of box-pressed shape, to its rich mocha bouquet, the cigar captivates the senses. Even the wrinkles on the wrapper are pleasant to the touch.

Once lit, expect a heavy cedar taste, backed by a vanilla-almond kiss. The cigar is roughly 7” in length with a ring gauge of 49. You may notice a bit of a tight draw, but overall it is a relatively smooth and enjoyable smoke. Made from filler and binder straight out of the Dominican, the Ashton Sorcerer is encased in an Ecuadorean wrapper.

Size: 7 x 49

Rating: 90.1