The Garofalo La Famiglia Maduro Churchill is the product of a special collaboration between New England retailer David Garofalo and Nick Perdomo, Jr. of Perdomo Cigars. Featuring 5-year aged Cuban-seed Nicaraguan Maduro wrappers and equally aged Cuban-seed Nicaraguan fillers, this cigar showcases premium tobaccos from Perdomo’s renowned farms in the Estelí, Condega, and Jalapa Valley regions of Nicaragua.
At first glance, this cigar immediately impresses with its dark chocolate Maduro hue. The wrapper boasts a nice sheen and an oily look, giving off an inviting, rich appearance. The toothy texture, similar to fine grit sandpaper, adds to its rustic charm. Solid construction with tight seams and a firm, well-packed filler make this a beautiful example of craftsmanship.
Upon lighting, the initial draw brings forth earthy mesquite wood and leather notes that set the stage for a flavorful journey. These are quickly accompanied by an indulgent mix of baker’s cocoa and dark chocolate, offering a rich, dessert-like sweetness. The surprising addition of a ginger snap cookie sweetness adds complexity, while subtle hints of salt and white pepper linger on the finish, balancing the profile.
As you progress into the second third, the leather notes become more pronounced, while the wood evolves into a more refined cedar-like flavor. The chocolate sweetness is still present, but now with a deeper espresso tone, enhancing the richness. Black pepper spice also kicks up a notch, adding a more robust, savory quality to the experience.
In the final third, the flavors remain consistent with the earthy tones continuing to dominate, while the spice intensifies, delivering a satisfying, bold finish. The chocolate notes, now resembling a decadent lava cake, take center stage, providing a perfect conclusion to this flavor-packed cigar.
The Garofalo La Famiglia Maduro Churchill is a well-constructed, medium to full-bodied smoke that offers much more balance and nuance than its dark maduro appearance might suggest. With a consistent draw and excellent smoke production, this cigar delivers a flavorful and enjoyable experience from start to finish. From the earthy leather to the dark chocolate sweetness and evolving spice, each third offers something new, creating a dynamic and memorable smoking experience. Also, two of our Original STARS Reviewers correctly identified this cigar as the Garofalo La Famiglia Maduro, Well Done!!
Overall Score: 91.20 out of 100
Overall Strength Score: 5.50 out of 10
This blind review (Cigar #14-D) was conducted by the Cigar Review Team comprising Tyler Ceola, Rick Galletta, JB Smith, Rob Brown, SamF, Star Boner James, George Hillman, J. Dwayne Corn, Nicholas Peters, Travis Rodd, Bret Curry, and Mike Conklin
