Let's dive into this dark-hued beast from PDR Cigars - the Small Batch Reserve Maduro Churchill packs a 7"x54 frame wrapped in oily Brazilian Habano leaf. At $180/box of 24, this dominican puro delivers medium-full intensity with that signature maduro sweetness tempered by Nicaraguan spice. The entubado rolling technique creates perfect draw resistance - no punching needed for these tightly packed sticks that burn over 90 minutes.
The cold draw tastes like licking a leather-bound book stored in cedar closet. Initial puffs bring earthy espresso grounds with black pepper tingle on lips. Medium smoke output carries faint molasses sweetness - more "dark chocolate covered coffee bean" than typical maduro sugar bomb.
Burn line wobbles slightly but self-corrects. Transition brings roasted almond and baking spices - think cinnamon-dusted walnuts. Retrohale introduces charred oak bitterness that casual smokers might find challenging. Need constant purges to maintain flavor clarity.
Nicaraguan filler takes charge with heavy mineral notes - imagine licking a wet river stone. Strength climbs steadily; by band removal, my forehead sweats like I'm in Dominican rolling gallery. Stopped at nub with 1.5" remaining due to accumulated tar bite.
Hand-rolled in Santiago using Cuban entubar technique that bunches filler leaves into small tubes for optimal airflow. The maduro wrapper undergoes 18-month fermentation achieving near-black color and oily sheen. Blending combines Dominican spice with Nicaraguan body - like mixing light rum with dark in a Caribbean cocktail.
