“I found that the quality of the flavors delivered was what was most important here…this is an outstanding cigar and one that is easily a box worthy selection.”
Coming in at #14 is the Long Live the King by Caldwell Cigar Company. Long Live the King is one of three brands that make up the Caldwell Collection – which was the debut line of Caldwell Cigar Company. The company was founded by Robert Caldwell, who is best known for being Christian Eiroa’s partner in Wynwood Cigars. Following his departure from Wynwood, Caldwell went to the Dominican Republic where he teamed up with Tabacalera Ventura to make his blends. This marks Caldwell’s first entry on the Cigar of the Year countdown. Caldwell Cigar Company makes the countdown as a first year company – becoming the first “rookie” in 2014 to do so.
One big differentiator in the Caldwell Collection is that it uses rare / hard to find tobaccos that can be considered Grade “A. Long Live the King is a multi-national blend that is highlighted by the use of Dominican Corojo. This tobacco is incorporated into the wrapper, binder, and filler but uses different vintages for each component. There is also fillers from from Nicaragua and Peru.
Long Live the King might be one of the most unique Corojo-centric blends ever released. This cigar delivers notes of natural tobacco, cedar, some sugar cane, and exotic spices. The intangible factor which makes this unique is how the flavors mesh and complement each other. This is a cigar that is also the fullest of the Caldwell Collection. It starts out medium to full in strength and body but moves to full by the second half.
This is one of those cigars that continues to get better with time – and it definitely solidifies the Robert Caldwell’s comeback.
Click here for our detailed assessment of the Long Live the King.
Blend Profile
Wrapper: Corojo Dominicano – 2008
Binder: Corojo Dominicano – 2009
Filler: Corojo Ligero Dominicano 50% – 2006, Viso Pelo De Oro Peruano 10% – 2008, Habano Ligero Nicaraguense 40% – 2007
Country or Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera William Ventura)
Vitolas Available
The Heater: 5 3/4 x 46
Petit Double Wide Short Churchill: 6 x 52
Marquis: 6 x 60
My Style is Jalapeno: 7 1/4 x 40
Recommended Vitola: Petit Double Wide Short Churchill: (6 x 52 aka Toro)
Assessment: 4.0 – Box Worthy
Score: 92 (10/28/14)
For more information on our vision and criteria for the 2014 Cigar of the Year countdown, see our December 2014 Editor’s Corner.
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