By now we all know the story of how Saka butchered the Spanish language and offered us his take on All The Days, but if you don’t you can read about it on our review of the Wide Belicoso. What I really want to know is why this cigar is called a Half Churchill. A Churchill measures 7 x 50 or if you want to get technical, 7 x 49. Wouldn’t a Half Churchill be 3.5 x 25. Why not sure call this cigar a Short Churchill, at least I can accept that.
Cigar: Todos Las Dias
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sun Grown (Cuban Seed)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua (Esteli, Jalapa)
Length: 4.75″
Ring Gauge: 48
Size: Short Churchill
The Look: Packaged in 10 count cedar boxes the Short Churchill has a dual band utilizing colors of silver and black. The primary band denotes TDL in a diamond while the foot denotes Todos Las Dias. The dark wrapper of the cigar has some subtle tooth to it, a nice amount of oil and a few noteworthy veins. In the hand the stick is heavy, well packed and has a velvet like feel to it.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Todos Las Dias Half Churchill is chewy with hints of leather. Its a bit tannic but intriguing at the same point. Any apprehension I had from the bitterness of the cold draw is gone as I am met by a enjoyable aroma from the foot. The aroma is that of cocoa, fig and earth. After toasting and lighting the foot the initial note has almost a raspberry like quality to it.
As we work our way into the first third the fruit from the initial light slides into the background as black pepper envelops the palate. Once we adjust to the strong pepper notes there is some earthy notes as well. As the first third comes to a close, the dark raspberry note becomes more prevalent, along with a mocha sweetness that appears on the retrohale.
In the second third, the fruity note dissipates rather quickly, as the black pepper returns creating a canvas for the rest of the cigar. There are notes of earth and cedar along with a subtle fig note that appears as the second third comes to a close. The retrohale of the half Churchill has a saltiness to it, but it also singes the nostrils in a way that is reminiscent of white pepper.
The last third continues with black pepper, and while it might seem that way in the review this cigar is not a one trick pony. There is enough going on in the background that I had a hard time putting down the cigar. There is a touch of fig, and almost a molasses like sweetness on the finish of the cigar while the retrohale becomes earthy with a hint of cedar.
The Finish: It’s amazing how much different this size is in comparison to the wide belicoso. There is more strength here, and the flavor profile is definitely spicier. I never thought I would pick a thick ring gauge over a thinner one, but I think I prefer the wide belicoso over this one. I’ll have to smoke a few more to be sure, but that doesn’t mean I like this one any less. It’s quintessential Saka and definitely worthy of humidor space.
Score: 90
Price: $10.59 / $94.99 (10 Count Box)
Todos Las Dias Half Churchill
Todos Las Dias Foot Half Churchill
Todos Las Dias Half Churchill Burn
