Cigar Review

by Steve Rowbottom

Caldwell Collection, The King is

Dead

Premier

Dominican Republic                       5.5” x 50                            Medium                       93-Rated

The chocolatey look. The solid roll. The pre-light aroma. Each of these is perfect, setting high expectations before flame meets cigar. Upon lighting, two things are apparent. Each of the 5 Dominican tobaccos used to create this cigar are of superior quality, and the cigar has been extensively aged post-roll. Every draw from this slow-burning Robusto produces a warm bouquet, complete with toast, earth and milk chocolate. The finish is long yet subtle, completing a luxurious display of balanced, smooth flavors.

Drew Estate, Undercrown Sun Grown

Flying Pig

Nicaragua                            6.0” x 54                          Medium-Full             93-Rated

Shaped like a Blackhawk Torpedo Bomb, this Drew Estate creation sports an oily sungrown wrapper from Ecuador and aged long-fillers from Nicaraguan bound by a Connecticut Habano leaf. The smoke is flavorful and complex, offering dense hints of leather, oak and earth complemented by bright hints of spice. A unique sweet and savory nuance lingers from time to time, which I can only describe as cinnamon. This Flying Pig is complex and burns incredibly slow despite its short stature.

Padilla, Finest Hour Connecticut

Toro

Honduras        6.0” x 52                               Mellow-Medium                        91-Rated

This 52-ring Toro is perfectly rolled, solid from head to toe and boasts an Ecuador Connecticut wrapper that’s silky and smooth to the touch. Underneath, two Nicaraguan binders secure a vintage mixture of Dominican and Nicaraguan long-fillers. The bouquet is rich yet mellow, layered by sweet cedar and creamed coffee and finished by a long, toasty aftertaste. A fine fit for anytime enjoyment. No bells, whistles, twists or turns. Just smooth, buttery, soothing and tasty to the nub.

Puros, Indios

Bronco

Honduras                    6.5” x 56                               Medium-Full                         92-Rated

I have always loved this classic cigar. Born by the hands of a legend, the late Rolanda Reyes, Sr., Puros Indios is as Cuban-esque and rustic as it gets. Cuban-seed Honduran long-leaf tobaccos reside within a leathery Ecuador Sumatra wrapper to create a rich and chewy smoke. Each draw exhibits rich earth and rich tobacco. A touch of coffee surfaces from time to time, while a subtle zest is constant throughout the burn. Better still, the raw, Cuban twang that’s present from start to finish…deliciously oldschool.

Rocky Patel, Vintage 1979

Churchill

Honduras                     7.0” x 48                               Medium                       95-Rated

Savor this cigar – enjoying a genuine African Cameroon wrapper leaf cultivated anywhere close to 1979 is a rare treat. Underneath this toothy, milk chocolate-hued wrapper, long-fillers from Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican combine to deliver an exquisite series of earth, sweet cedar, rich tobacco and gentle spices. The wrappers’ natural sweetness completes each savory puff, offering a touch of toasted peanut on the finish.

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