R&J Churchill

[Tomothebuilder]

Churchills are great if you can put aside 2hrs for it-try the Hoyo as a good starting point, if your after something stronger then an R&J. If you're after the best then it's got to be either a Sir Winston or an Esplendidos!

I'd go for a Corona Gorda like a HDM Epi 1 if you're looking for something a bit lighter, or a Siglo IV is about the best you can get.

[Simon Bolivar]

I find Christmas a frustrating time to smoke cigars. I am either on the rig (yes, working both again this year) when I can't have an alcoholic drink & have to smoke in fug of cigarrete smoke, whilst they complain about my cigar smoke or at home when I can drink & share a smoke with my Belgian mate, indoors! But have to keep then short & sweet as they serve endless courses thorughout the day & get upset you you miss out on them or disappear to smoke a larger one. So I chose a series of small rare delights & one medium size for the evening. Luckily they have an open hearth so I sit up to that & let the smoke go up the chimmey.

So last year at my mates, I only managed a Corona Belvederes from '32La Corona.Belvederes.2012.12.SAM_0016.jpg (amazingly this still had a strong tobacco flav) & a ERDM DT '90, both with very well with champagne.La Corona.Belvederes.2012.12.25.SAM_0146.jpgLa Corona.Belvederes.2012.12.25.SAM_0151.jpgLa Corona.Belvederes.2012.12.25.SAM_0150.jpg
The previous yr I was on the rig & had a gifted Behike 52. Kind weird having this with a tin of shandy but it did put a big grin on my face.
2010 At my mates house I started with a ERDM DT '90 with bubbly, a R&J Tubos No2 froms '60's after the meat course & finished on a Cohiba Panatela '94 with a whiskey, superb day. By contrast we spent NY in England & I had a Belindia Princess '97 in the back garden, it was dark & frigging freezing, UK is the dearth for winter smoking.

2009 I was at my mates & I had a Monte C '03, this is a Grand corona size & was as big as most manage I would think, especially if the wife & or family aren't smokers or don't like you disappearing for an hr+ on what is after all a family day.
I'd suggest keep it small on the day & have Boxing Day or New Yr for the special big smoke & perhaps your first Julieta No2.
Here's a few snaps to show, it doesn't have to be big to be a special Chrimbo smoke.Cohiba.Behike52.2011.12.25.DSC_5130.jpg

[Sgt_Banter]

Churchills are great if you can put aside 2hrs for it-try the Hoyo as a good starting point, if your after something stronger then an R&J.

We will have the time in the evening after all the rest of the family have fallen asleep or gone home, plus my mother will allow us to smoke in the kitchen as long as the back door is open. I was looking at the Hoyo Churchill as well as H. Upmann Monarchs and the San Cristobal El Morro. The Hoyo gets consistently good reviews from what I've seen so that may be the way forward

[Sgt_Banter]

I would think, especially if the wife & or family aren't smokers or don't like you disappearing for an hr+ on what is after all a family day.

This is an excellent point. Worst case scenario, we can just smoke them on another day

[ValeTudoGuy]

Fantastic post as ever, Simon!