Park Avenue Series 44 Churchill

Kaizad Hansotia has an inspiring resume which includes such top-rated blends as Gurkha, K. Hansotia and Sherpa. One thing we’ve noticed (perhaps you have as well) is the extra attention to detail that goes in to his cigar labels. The K. Hansotia Park Avenue Churchill is a great smoke. This is a cigar that in construction and quality compares favorably to cigars costing two or three times as much! Panelists found it to be quite smooth with just a bit of spice on the back of the tongue. Look for gradual and consistent change in both strength and flavor as the Park Avenue continues to burn. (Note the even ash.) The cigar slowly morphs into a full-bodied and spicier version of its former self. The spice is attributable to the Nicaraguan long-fillers that make up the filler in its entirety. The unmistakable smoothness encountered at the start of the smoke is no doubt due to its well-aged Connecticut Shade wrapper. Enjoy this one with a hoppy Pale Ale or robust Porter.

The Nicaraguan cigar industry originated when Cuban cigar makers escaped the revolution and re-established their livelihood in Nicaragua with Cuban-seed tobacco. Blessed with dark, rich soil, their new home was ideal for tobacco cultivation and Nicaragua quickly became known for cigars that rivaled Cuban quality. Unfortunately, revolution and war came to Nicaragua in the 1980s and devastated the industry, but it’s rebounded dramatically and is once again producing tobacco considered by many to be the finest in the world.

The Esteli Valley is in many ways the heart of Nicaraguan production and is known for its very powerful and spicy tobacco. The Jalapa Valley produces arguably the finest tobacco in the country: somewhat sweeter and less intense than Esteli, but extremely complex. The tobacco of the Condega Valley is often described as a blend of the other two regions.