Caldwell Last Tsar Churchill Review

The Last Tsar Churchill
Made by: Caldwell
Country: Dominican
Vitola: 7 by 47

The original release of the “Last Tsar” was a 5 by 50 size, this new release has been done in a larger vitola. In this Caldwell Last Tsar Review, the characteristics of this cigar will be assessed. The reputation as it goes, is a full bodied powerhouse. Robert Caldwell has produced some great releases, the “Eastern Standard” and “The King is Dead” to name a couple. The first release of the Last Tsar was very popular, and it is fair to assume this will be as well. Lets see what this cigar has to offer.

Prelight

The first thing I noticed, simply due to novelty appeal, was the nice pigtail on the cap. The cap itself looks very well done, minimal veins on the wrapper. The seams are barely visible, and the 47 ring gauge gives the cigar more character then your traditional 7 by 50 Churchill. There is a good amount of tooth present on the wrapper, suggesting the smoke production and mouth feel of this cigar will be enjoyable. The foot is releasing a woodsy/floral note with some light pepper. Interesting combination, very clean cut a testament to the construction of the cigar. Amazing draw, and the prelight draw leaves a slight tingle on the lips. The flavor is harder to place, floral note but slightly sweet and the pepper note is certainly present.

1/3

A ton of cedar on the front with a light black pepper finish, pepper very noticeable on the retrohale. Pretty thin smoke although a decent amount of it. Behind the cedar not there is almost a orange note toward the finish ahead of the pepper. The smoke does have a nice mouth feel that is a light oil. As I get into the first third the smoke is getting thicker. Medium body at the moment with low strength. The orange note is a light sweet citrus, great blend of flavors. Pretty straight burn line at the moment, and a gray ash with the tooth visible. The main flavors are holding with cedar and citrus, and the black pepper finish.  Not a ton of complexity, but good flavors and good burn. The wood seems to be rising and overpowering the citrus note which is dying off. The pepper is still noticeable on the finish and certainly on the retrohale. As the first third is ending a nutty note is coming up slowly.

2/3

The cigar remains cedar forward, but in the second layer of flavors is a cashew/peanut note is present. And the finish consists of a pepper and salty note. I mean salty, very distinct with that, and can be tasted well into the finish alongside the pepper. The complexity of the cigar is rising as it burns which is a good thing. As for the body I would still rank it as a medium, and low to medium strength at this point. The smoke is still not too thick, but the light oil mouth feel remains. The smoke production is increasing slowly and the body seems to be rising slowly as well. As the second third comes to an end the body is up to a medium-full, strength still at a low to medium. The flavors haven’t changed just gotten bolder as the body has come up.

3/3

As the last third starts the cedar has gotten stronger and so has the pepper, the nutty note seems to be dying down. There is a light oak mixing with the cedar on the front now, and the strength is up to a medium. The body is approaching full, the cigar has had smooth and defined transitions as it is burning down. As the cigar is progressing toward the nub, body and strength continue to increase. The nutty salty note has reappeared as well. At the very end of the cigar, at the nub, the dominate flavors were the woodsy and pepper notes. Great smoke time and no issues with the burn.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes

Conclusion: 90

The Last Tsar had smooth and intriguing transitions with good flavors, and definitely kept my attention. The construction was perfect, there were no issues whatsoever in that department. Given this cigars price point, I would say it is what you would expect. Medium to full body with medium strength, and both the body and strength increase as the cigar burns down. Make sure you have the time to sit back and enjoy this, if you are looking to smoke one cigar over a good period of time (an event or evening on the patio) this would be a great go to. Cedar forward with a interesting citrus note in the first third and a delicious saltiness in the second third, this cigar contains flavors that are rare to come by.

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