Cigar Reveal #6003
Caldwell
The King is Dead
Robert Caldwell's premium cigar brand has been making waves in the industry with its exceptional releases. This boutique brand, known for its tasty small-batch offerings, has quickly gained a reputation akin to the finest bourbons—challenging to find but unforgettable once experienced.
"The King is Dead" is Caldwell's second blend, a medium-bodied masterpiece that exemplifies complexity and balance. What sets it apart is its exclusive use of rare and underused Dominican tobaccos, showcasing the rich diversity of the Dominican Republic's tobacco heritage.
Caldwell cigars are renowned for their flawless burn, and this Dominican puro is no exception. It offers a medley of flavors, including wood, graham cracker, chocolate, black pepper spice, fruit, milk chocolate, and a subtle, nutty sweetness, delivering an enjoyable smoking experience. While Caldwell cigars aren't budget-friendly, they undeniably provide value for their quality.
Caldwell Cigar Company, owned by Robert Caldwell, specializes in very small batch releases, making them occasionally elusive. Yet, "The King is Dead" has garnered significant praise, earning a remarkable 93-point rating. Reviewers lauded its unconventional name and its ability to blend maple sweetness with cirtus notes in surprising and delightful ways, solidifying its status as a standout in Caldwell's lineup.
The King is Dead
Anatomy
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Dominican Republic
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Dominican Republic
- Dominican Republic Negrito
The King is Dead
Flavor Notes
First Third
Milk Chocolate
Maple Syrup
Black Pepper
Milk Chocolate
Maple Syrup
Black Pepper
Second Third
Citrus Fruit
Sweet Cedar
Cocoa Powder
Citrus Fruit
Sweet Cedar
Cocoa Powder
Final Third
Graham Cracker
Oak
Creaminess
Graham Cracker
Oak
Creaminess
Reviews + Notes
Cigar Aficionado
(Ranked #19 Cigar of the Year 2015 🏆)
These cigars may be whimsically named and the packaging might look a bit avant garde, but The King is Dead is an interesting brand that uses uncommon tobaccos—and uncommon imagery. The band features a surreal imprint of a split throne. If you look passed the artsiness, you'll find that brand owner Robert Caldwell has sourced some rare tobaccos in the blend, specifically a type called HVA 20/20. It's a Cuban hybrid developed by Dominican grower Leo Reyes and is rarely used. The wrapper is grown from another Dominican varietal called Negrito. When blended and rolled into a torpedo, one gets The Last Payday. The name is unorthodox and perhaps doesn't evoke visions of the everyday smoking experience, but this cigar combines the nuance of maple sweetness and the tonality of earth in unexpected ways.
Cigar Coop
The torpedo-sized Last Payday seems to be the blend that worked the best here. I felt it delivered the best flavors and had a nice amount of smoothness. The King is Dead is consistent with with the other cigars of the Caldwell Collection in that “it brings something different to the table” – and this is something I like in a cigar. The King is Dead is not only a cigar that I would give to a new or experienced cigar enthusiast, but it would be something I would make a box purchase of.
Kohnhed
The cigar is so Dominican. It’s an amalgam of smooth city and perfectly balanced flavors. The body remains at medium. With no hint of getting stronger. I like strong cigars but I love full flavored, medium bodied cigars as well. The complexity is amazing. Flavors of creaminess, cocoa, citrus, fruit, and sweetness are just unbelievable.