Meerapfel Meir Churchill
A very exclusive cigar from a very small production.
At InterTabac 2022, Meerapfel presented its second line called "Meerapfel Meir", a name that pays tribute to the man who founded the Meerapfel cigar factory in the village of Untergrombach, Germany, in 1876. The latter offers four different vitolas: Double Robusto (52 x 146 mm), Piramide (52 x 156 mm), Robusto (50 x 124 mm) and Churchill (47 x 178 mm).
It joins the Master Blends series, where each blend is inspired by an iconic figure of the Meerpfel family: Richard, Heller, Ernest and finally, the one we are interested in today, Meir.
For hundreds of years, the Meerapfel dynasty has been rooted in the world of tobacco, by starting to cultivate it in Germany, as early as the 1600s. The first factory opened in 1876 under the influence of Meir Meerapfel, who began making hand-rolled cigars for nearly 150 years until World War II hit. The family spirit being at the heart of the eponymous company, several generations have succeeded each other to perpetuate the tradition and bring this historic company to a successful conclusion.
This is the fourth time the Meerapfel family has dedicated an exclusive series to one of its family members. Indeed, there are 11 generations in the family and 4 Master Blends each representing a key stage in its history: "Meir" is described as the "Genesis of Uberluxury", a term we explored in depth in the Art and Culture article of this Grauer Journal, during a meeting in our Cigar Lounge, over a cigar, with Reinhard Pohorec, Vice-President of Meerapfel Cigar. He explained to us that this notion refers to the experience and the journey offered to the aficionados when they taste a Meir cigar, by its quality and elegance.
If the blend that makes up this exclusive line remains a secret to this day, it is because while elaborating it, Meerapfel did not want its enthusiasts to dwell on the details and technical aspect of the products. What Meerapfel offers is a holistic experience, or in other words, a dream. The goal is for customers to have a more artistic experience without judging the components that create Meir cigars. While the cigars are rolled in the Dominican Republic, again Meerapfel refuses to go into detail or name the producer behind it.
This desire to make customers travel is also accentuated by a presentation with a resolutely distinguished appearance, which will leave a memorable impression: in a single row, 25 Meerapfel Meir Churchill are arranged in a surprisingly elegant, elongated box. The box is made from Japanese wood, which grows relatively quickly, making it environmentally friendly. It is then engraved with the name and logo of the House, using laser technology, like a true work of art.
As for the ring that dresses these vitolas, its breathtaking design also contributes to offer a multi-sensory experience to connoisseurs: produced by Van Tintelen Printing Art B.V. in the Netherlands, it includes different textures such as gold leaf, a holographic finish and reliefs.
Now that the context of this exclusive series is mentioned, let's proceed to the tasting of the most generous of the three cigars: the Meir Churchill (47 x 178 mm).
Dressed in a sumptuous Maduro wrapper, we can instantly recognize the famous Cameroonian wrapper leaf, Meerapfel's treasure, which the family has been producing for decades. When raw, it reveals a characteristic cocoa aroma, which we will also recognize during the tasting.
The Meir Churchill presents an impeccable construction with a homogeneous filling, which after an easy ignition, reveals a draw with perfect resistance: neither too dense, nor too ventilated. From the very first puffs, the palate is invaded by powerful roasted aromas. A combination of roasted coffee and dark chocolate opens up to a spicier register, enhanced by black pepper.
Other notes of dried fruit and roasted grain evolve in the background, accompanied by the cocoa aromas perceived raw. The whole forms a complete set of flavors and complexity that lets us assume that the mixture, which will remain a well-kept family secret, is composed of very old Dominican tobacco. Indeed, the latter of great finesse, seems patinated and devoid of ammonia.
Its strength of medium intensity evolves subtly as it burns, while remaining relatively stable and constant. From the first to the last puff, throughout this hour and a half of tasting, the Meir Churchill surprises us with a harmonious and pleasant bouquet, whose recipe is remarkable.
The release of a new Master Blends is always something intriguing. Each one of them has its peculiarities, a design and a specific color which differentiate them. The lines of this series are a true tribute to the history of Meerapfel and its values: family, respect, passion and the art of doing things the right way.
MEERAPFEL Meir - Churchil - Box of 25
Vitola: Churchill (47 x 178 mm)
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