Caldwell Eastern Standard Maduro Review

Eastern Standard Maduro Midnight Express
Made by: Caldwell
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 6 by 49

Caldwell, every time I think of this brand I now think perfect construction. That’s probably not a good thing for the sake of reviews I conduct on their cigars because it means I am immediately holding their cigars to a higher standard. But I believe my expectations are justified given the experiences I have, had going over their blends. Lets see if this new release from the company can hold up to the name. The event that Anthony’s held in honor of the release was very well organized and enjoyable. Wonderful company that night and quite entertaining conversations. Let’s get this Caldwell Eastern Standard Maduro Review started.

Prelight

The cigar is made in a Pyramide vitola, visible seams. Small to medium sized veins, the cap is well constructed, I don’t forsee any unraveling issues with it. There is just a slight bit of tooth to the wrapper. The foot is giving off a very clean cedar note with a floral white pepper and a hint of apple sweetness. That gives me the impression that this is going to be a delicious cigar. Needless to say my expectations are high given the record of Caldwell cigars that I have reviewed. It is not often I get to say this, but the cut was clean and there was no loose tobacco. The pre-light draw confirms the foot’s notes. A slight bit of apple sweetness, the floral white pepper, and a woodsy cedar undertone. Let’s get this lit and see how it performs.

1/3

Took a bit to get lit, some great complexity off the bat. Cedar is on the front but is pretty quickly followed by a jasmine with light white pepper. And there is a slight sweet note on the finish with the lingering light white pepper. I can’t call it a apple it’s more of a light syrup at the moment. I expect the finish to develop with time. The cigar was packed quite firmly and the burn line is razor sharp. I continue to be amazed with the construction of Caldwell cigars every time. Medium smoke thickness, medium n smoke production, I do hope the thickness of the smoke increases. The resistance on the draw is a bit above average at the moment. I am noticing dry mouth coming on as I get down in the first third. The cedar is dropping on the front and the jasmine and light white pepper have control of the profile. The slight syrupy sweetness is still on the finish but a macadamia nut is coming up alongside that note.

2/3

The body has held at a medium until this point. I have noticed absolutely no strength at this point. This has been a wonderfully smooth and relaxing cigar. But very complex and attention grabbing. Smoke production is down a bit but smoke thickness is up which is an interesting change. The cedar is coming back up as the floral jasmine drops and the white pepper rises above it in the center of the profile. Macadamia nut remains on the finish, the sweetness has dropped. And the white pepper lingers in the mouth as the dry aspect comes on. At the end of the second third there is all sorts of change occurring. Cedar and light white pepper on the front now. The center is a perfect balance of cashew and macadamia nut. And the syrupy sweetness is back on the finish tasting like a slightly sweet pine tree. I haven’t ever eaten pine tree sap however I would imagine it would be like the finish right now. And the dry mouth comes back and the light white pepper lingers. Amazing profile, this is one special cigar.

3/3

Medium to full body now with low strength, that gap between strength and body is rare. Smoke production is still pretty low but the thickness is still up. Absolutely perfect burn throughout the cigar. The cedar is controlling the front and white pepper is coming up and drowning out the nutty notes in the center of the profile. The pine has dropped on the finish and it’s back to the light syrupy sweetness alongside light macadamia nut. The dry mouth is actually less intense then earlier in the cigar and the light white pepper still hangs around in the mouth. This cigar is an absolute winner.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Conclusion: 94

This is high on my list of favorite recent cigars. Delicious flavors, medium body almost pushing medium to full. Low strength allowing for absolute focus on the profile. Flawless construction, as far as the companies I have been reviewing Caldwell has the title of the most consistent and best flavors in my opinion. That does drop slightly with the cheaper lines they produce. But at that price point for the JV cigars they do magnificently for the cost. The review speaks for itself, buy these and you are going to love them. I could smoke this cigar over and over.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com