Caldwell Eastern Standard Manzanita Review

Eastern Standard Manzanita
Made by: Caldwell
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 4 by 42 (Manzanita)

This is a short cigar by Robert Caldwell, and I can’t say that I have had anything near this size from the producer. I am expecting great construction and an interesting experience. I have enjoyed all of the vitola’s of the Eastern Standard, hopefully with this Caldwell Eastern Standard Manzanita Review I will have another to add to the list.

Prelight

Mainly small veins, but one large that may cause a burn problem. Great cap with a well done pigtail. The foot is giving off sweet grass, hay, and cedar. Smooth and easy cut. Slightly spongy pack, cedar and white pepper on the prelight draw. The draw has above average resistance, but not in a bad way. I am going to do this in halves due to the size of the cigar. I am expecting the burn time to be quite short.

1/2

The front has a celery and bitter oak with a light white pepper finish. Odd flavors, medium body and low strength. High smoke production and medium thickness, and compact layered ash. I feel like this cigar needed some rest, but they are pretty robust unique notes as they are. Surprisingly this is not really reminding me of the other vitola’s of the Eastern Standard. Smoke thickness is coming up and leather is mixing in with the white pepper on the finish. The fronts flavors are dropping and losing some complexity, they are now reminiscent of sour grass and oak. This is preforming well for its size, great burn line.

2/2

Oak has taken control of the front and leather, macadamia nut, and light white pepper have the finish. Strength has risen to a low to medium and body has held at a medium surprisingly. Great burn, no issues with the large vein. Caldwell did a good job putting out a satisfying short smoke. I do think the blend is deserving of its own name though. That flavor profile held as the finish rose in power. Great little short smoke.

Smoke Time: 35 Minutes

Conclusion: 85

As far as short smokes go this was pretty good. It’s a harder category to rate because burn time is inherently shorter, and transitions can only do so much in the three inches this cigar has. With what it had, it did great coming in at medium body and low strength. It certainly put itself apart from the other Eastern Standard vitola’s.

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