Caldwell The King is Dead Review

The King is Dead
Made by: Caldwell
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: Lonsdale (6 1/4 by 42)

Robert Caldwell has put out some wonderful blends, I have already covered a cigar from his JV line and one of his limited releases (the Last Tsar). In this Caldwell The King Is Dead Review I will be examining a cigar from his main line. From previous experiences I have brought company to the cigar lounge with me and several went with this cigar. Every time they enjoyed it, personally it has been a while since I have revisited it. Let’s see how it performs.

Prelight

Pretty even pack, only one soft spot toward the foot of the cigar. The pigtail cap is done well and is sturdy, I would not be worried about them falling off in transit whatsoever. Several prominent veins, visible seams. No tooth, the foot has a lightly sweet floral note to it with spice/herbs on the finish. Perfect cut and very clean, very fine loose tobacco easily wiped off. Good resistance on the draw not an unpleasant amount. Very floral prelight flavors and there is a lip tingling spice that may be white pepper or something more herbal verging mint. I must say that I love the bands on all of the Caldwell cigars, this is no exception.

1/3

Easy light and very even, very cedar forward with a light floral note mixed in. The finish falls into deeper woodsy notes with a light white pepper. The pepper is noticeable on the retrohale as well but not overwhelming. Smoke is about a medium in thickness, not a particularly special mouth feel. The cedar and floral note are creating an almost tangy primary flavor very unique and enjoyable. Dark compact ash with a sharp burn line. The oak and white pepper finish balance the primary flavors very well. Excited to see what the rest of this cigar presents. The first third has been very consistent in terms of flavors, Medium body and no strength detected at this point. The lightness and slightly tangy primary flavors are very enjoyable so no complaints that there haven’t been any shifts. As I reach the end of the first third there was a slightly herbal note rising on the finish that had my attention.

2/3

Pine, after retrohaling several times which tells you the white pepper has come up by the way, I was able to pinpoint the herbal note on the finish. The primary flavors have not changed from the cedar and light floral note, but the finish is now pine and a lighter oak with a white pepper tingle. Interesting transition, I was expecting something bolder. No changes to the strength or body. Just that one change, very consistent and the flavors are enjoyable. The white pepper note is coming up and drowning out the pine as this third continues. The floral note with the cedar on the front is becoming more dominate as well. The white pepper has risen even more taking over the finish and presenting a tingling tongue bit, the formal and cedar notes are still on the front.

3/3

The cedar has reclaimed the front and white pepper continues to dominate the finish, the darker woodsy notes seem to be creeping back into the profile. The body is at a medium still it has risen slightly but not quite to the medium full point. The strength has risen to a low but is not very noticeable, it does seems to be rising though. There is a slight bitter note that has come up on the finish, hopefully that subsides. It did subside after about 5 minutes, the white pepper has stayed bold and cedar and oak dominate the rest of the profile at this point. The cigar is starting to become warm as I reach about an inch remaining.

Smoke Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Conclusion: 86

The flavors were different I will give the cigar that praise. It left me wanting bolder transitions the white pepper came up a bit much in my opinion. The construction was perfect no point deductions in that area at all. This cigar shined in the first third, it is absolutely worth it’s price point. There wasn’t a factor that took it above and beyond though, absolutely worth trying. As I have said with people new to cigars and that enjoy the spice kick this is perfect. The first third was on track for a high rating but the slowly diminishing complexity hurt the score.
Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com