My Super Bowl Cigar, A Don Bienve Limited Reserve . . .

Joined Sep 2003
9K Posts | 0+
Puerto Rico/NYC
Churchill.

I woke up shortly before the alarm, and rose out of bed a few minutes later on Sunday evening, about 1815 hours. I know the Super Bowl never kicks off on time, but it was surely nigh. I went upstairs, ground the coffee, Guatemala Coban, that I had put in the grinder earlier in the afternoon. A carefully planned evening. When I have to leave for work later that night, Super Bowl evening has to be planned carefully, for maximally relaxed watching time, and seeing as many plays as possible.

Coffee got a good start, the first half was nice and relaxing, and the game went as expected, both teams nervous, and Westminster Abbey, The Tower O' Big Ben, not looking so tall in the saddle, young QB Super Bowl jitters. At halftime, a well planned and successful breakfast soon culiminated in me beginning the second half accompanied by a nice two shot glass of my No. 8 bourbon, William Larue Weller. Of course, by this time, I'm laying out clothes, and wondering about a cigar. Sure, it's time, I haven't had one in weeks, and besides, I HAVE TO BECAUSE IT'S THE SUPER BOWWWWWWWWLLLLLL!!!

It could also be a pretty good punch to begin a long commute, and a night in front of the computer with. So, I figured it was time to see what the Don Bienve Limited Reserve Churchill tasted like, after not having one for a few years. These have been in my humidors for about three and a half months. Although I remember inconsistencies within a box or two, regarding the fullness of flavor from cigar to cigar, they all drew well if memory serves me correctly. I also don't remember ever really saying that one was bad, just a bit lacking in flavor.

At 2105 hours, I lit a cigar that felt rather hard up near the cap, but drew surprisingly well. I was met by an immediate blast of bay leaf, also perhaps basil, with charred brown sugar flavor. The cigar drew well throughout, burned very slowly, and hit my palate with a wide variety of flavors, mostly of the musty, earthy variety, Brazil nuts and strong notes of basil, for example. There were also lots of charred type of flavors. This cigar burned and drew so well, that I left it at 2150 hours to get into the shower, and when I got out, dried off, got my hairbrush and returned to the cigar at 2202 hours, I was able to get it going again WITHOUT relighting it. :eek:mg: :eek:mg: That's a record for me, by two or three minutes.

At 2245 hours, I had to reluctantly leave it with perhaps a quarter inch to a bit more left to smoke. This was a cigar that had bold, crisp flavors, but perhaps not smoothed out and sweet enough to suit my taste buds completely. In conclusion, and quite happily, this cigar could have spent another three to six months in my humidor, and I still would have liked it. Therefore, I'd have to say that with some trepidation, I sprung for the five pack recently, but I'm pleased at this experience.

The Don Bienve Limited Reserve Churchill is a truly or at least mostly American cigar, consisting of a wrapper grown in Pennsylvania, but which comes from Cameroon seed, and Puerto Rican filler tobacco from a 1981 crop. From what I've both read and heard, including a short conversation with Carlito Fuente about tobacco and other things in life, Puerto Rican tobacco used to inhabit some of the world's most highly regarded cigars. I'm glad there are some fairly high quality Puerto Rican cigars still around to give testimony to the mighty agricultural paradise the island once was.
 
Geezzz, after reading that wonderful, detailed, precise review, I don't think I'm smart enough to smoke cigars! I tend to find a few that I like and stick with em. I like to fire my guns and shoot pool when I smoke. I am quite impressed to say the least. Great review Bloof. Thanks a bunch :bow:
 
In preparation for Bloofington's review, I set aside an hour and half of of last Saturday to enjoy one of the few of these remaining in my humidor. I think mine have an extra 2 weeks of age on them than Bloof's though I doubt that will make any noticeable difference.

I have to agree that this cigar is very earthy the whole way down. It started off fairly sweet (I like the comparison to charred brown sugar - that nails it) and but for me, the hefty earth/basil flavors didn't really come into focus until after the first inch was gone. Then they took center stage and remained a strong player the rest of the way.

I enjoyed the flavor, enhanced by a very good draw and a decent amount of smoke, all the way through the next two and half inches or so. The strong, multi-directional breeze made my cigar burn a little faster and hotter than I would have liked, but that didn't really affect the experience until the last inch and half, at which point I had to put the cigar out of its misery.

Overall, I think these cigars are well worth the time/money, and at $15 for a 5-pack (I bought mine IN Puerto Rico and I think they're $25/5-pack online), I was thoroughly satisfied.
 
Thanks VERY much for the compliments, people. I'm truly not worthy. Just trying to reprise the type of material that I used to be more well known for. Cybrus, I'm glad to hear that yours didn't fall flat on you. I was a bit worried, but then again, I think you can take a much stronger cigar than me. This one was right up my alley when it comes to flavor without the thunderous punch of a cigar that hits like Earnie Shavers. I may just buy a box of these next time around.

Thanks again for the compliments that were doled out.

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