Over the course of nine decades before his death in 1965, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill is said to have smoked a nearly inconceivable quantity of cigars — more than 200,000 by most accounts, sometimes tallying as many as 10 in a single day (although, admittedly, a good number of these were left unfinished).
At his residence at Chartwell Manor in the Kent countryside, he maintained a dedicated storage room for no less than 4,000 sticks, all of which he kept organized, labeled and neatly sorted. While it’s unknown if Churchill smoked Arturo Fuentes, it’s recorded that he kept longstanding accounts at a number of the world’s leading cigar retailers. He was almost certainly photographed with a cigar in either his hands or his mouth more often than without one, and so, for all the above reasons and others, it shouldn’t be surprising that one of the most popular vitolas of cigars is named after him.
The Arturo Fuente Churchill is fittingly Churchill-sized, with an impressive length of 7.25 inches and a ring gauge of 48, affording a burn time of more than ninety minutes. Although the term “Claro” generally refers to a light brown wrapper color, the Claro variety of this cigar takes the form of a bright green candela wrapper that gives it a markedly light, sweet taste and aroma. In fact, this version of the AF Churchill is known to be one of the more interesting “Claros” on the market, sometimes referred to as an “extra” or “double” Claro.
Mellow, consistent, and rich, but not overbearing, the Churchill Claro is medium-bodied, mild-to-medium-strength and smooth, featuring good construction, consistent flavor and an easy draw. Creamy, earthy and tasty essences of grass, green tea, cedar and buttered toast are found in the Churchill Claro, along with delicate spices.
For many smokers, the Claro is a long, leisurely smoke that will provide comfort and refreshment to even the most worn-out soul. For those who might fit that description, it’s worth remembering the wise words of Churchill, who declared: “Sure I am of this: that you only have to endure to conquer.” With an Arturo Fuente Churchill Claro in hand, conquer you most certainly will.