Cigar Review: DAV Cigars Prima Natural Churchill – Rated 91

Today we offer the third review in the series of reviews of DAV cigars. This time I examine the DAV Cigars -Prima Natural, a mild to medium introduction from this small boutique company. DAV cigars was a first time exhibitor at this years IPCPR in Las Vegas. and it was a pleasure to talk with Val Atakhanian, the managing partner for the company, After meeting Val and his partners, they left me with the impression that they have a true passion for cigars. That passion is reflective in the craft and quality that DAV cigars puts into each of their blends.

The DAV Cigars -Prima Natural is just another testament to that passion with a carefully selected, international blend of leaf, described as:

Wrapper: Ecuador (Connecticut)
Binder: Indonesia
Filler: Dominican Republic

The DAV Cigars – Prima Natural is only one of two blends that the company offers in a full portfolio of vitolas. With six different vitolas, there is at least one that would meet your need, with a price point that is right in the wheelhouse of the average consumer. Each vitola in the line is beautifully presented in 10-count cedar boxes, that are crafted as well as the cigars themselves.

Fumada Corta (4 x 60) MSRP $6.50
Robusto (5 x 50) MSRP $7.00
Short Robusto (4 1/2 x 52) MSRP $7.00
Robusto Gordo (5 x 52) MSRP $7.50
Churchill (7 x 50) MSRP $9.00
Presidente (6 x 60) MSRP $9.00

For this review I sampled the DAV Cigars -Prima Natural Churchill which I received from the company for purposes of reviewing on Stogie Press.

Pre-Light Review

The DAV Cigars – Prima Natural Churchill is a decent looking cigar. It has a slightly rugged feel to it with a few bumps and veins spread through the medium tan wrapper which has a touch of marbling and light toothiness to it. The Prima Natural is finished with a simple cap.

Like all DAV cigars, the Prima Natural is adorned with a single band using a different color to denote the blend. In this case, the color is green with the DAV logo centered in the middle.

Proceeding with the examination, I ran the cigar along the nose and picked up a deep fermented aroma on the wrapper and quite similar notes off the foot.

Removing the cap was easily accomplished with a single blade cutter in this case. I rolled it about my lips and took some pre-light cold draws which graced my palate with sweetness and earth. I can almost describe the flavor like a fresh cut cremini mushroom. the draw had a bit of an extra restriction to it that as you will read had minor impact on the smoking experience

Cigar Review Notes

DAV Cigars – Prima Natural Churchill

The initial puffs were a bit restricted but offered a growing orange zest flavor to start
Light to medium grey ash evolves resting on a thin to medium char line
Sweetness moves in to join the orange zest
Malt joins the profile as the sweetness grows
Smoke is thick and creamy and certainly mouth filling as the draw opens up
Settled into a beautifully blended smoke after the first third
Perfect burn cone after I gently tapped the ash
Rich cedar notes enter moving into the second third
Spicy aroma
Truly an elegant smoke through the second third
Sweetness moves in again especially off the head of the cigar
Spice is building in the core
Aroma shifts to more of a woody oak note
A subtle fruit note enters near the final
The final shifts the profile a bit with a classic Connecticut bitter component entering
Burns hot through the final third
Mild in Strength
Total Smoking time was 1 hour and 50 minutes

Overall, I rate the DAV Cigars Prima Natural Churchill an 91. This cigar had a full body of flavor with a shifting sweetness and some unique flavors like orange zest and malt in the early burn. The construction was perfect as evidenced by the even burn line and perfect burn cone. The experience was all pleasurable through the first two-thirds but as it got into the final, there was a bitter note that entered and the smoke became hotter than I expect in the final. At a price of $9.00, this is priced well and I might buy one again if I saw it on the shelf.