OVERVIEW

VITOLA: Lancero
SIZE: 7-1/2″ x 39

ORIGIN: Costa Rica
FACTORY: Tobacos de la Cordillera

WRAPPER: Costa Rican Claro
BINDER: Costa Rican Puriscal & Nicaraguan
FILLER: Dominican Oscuro Ligero & Peruvian

STRENGTH: Medium

SOURCE:
Small Batch Cigar

ENVIRONMENT

WHERE:
My deck

WHEN:
April 25, 2020 @ 11am

DRINKS:
Ice Mountain

WEATHER:
Low 60’s – a sunny Spring day

WHAT’S ON:
Smoking and Drinking in Space

PRODUCTION

RELEASE TYPE Regular Production

ORIGINALLY RELEASE DATE December 3, 2019

TOTAL PRODUCTION
Typical Box Size: Boxes of 12
Production Totals: On-going production

VITOLA BREAKDOWN
o Cremello (Lancero) (7-1/2″ x39)
o Rabicano (Salomone) (7-1/3″ x 50/57)
o Dahman (Churchill) (7″ x 56)
o Sabino (Petit Salomone) (6-1/6-1/2″ x 58/60)
o Calico (Pyramide) (6-1/12″ x 52)
o Robusto (5″ x 50)*

*Uses a different blend than the other vitolas.

RESEARCH & BACKGROUND INFO

The Daughters of the Wind line are named after an Arabian poem written in the 6th century and was inspired by Bedouin horses.
Like most of the cigars in the Casdagli portfolio, the Daughters of the Wind line are named to celebrate a stable once owned by the Casdagli family.
Each vitola is named for different breeds of horse, except for the Robusto which has the nickname “pony.”
The Cremello uses the same blend as the other vitolas (excluding the Robusto) but uses a Costa Rican Claro wrapper instead of an Ecuadorian wrapper.
Only 2 of the 8 acres on the tobacco farm in Puriscal, are used to grow the wrapper.

BAND DESIGN

The band screams class, while staying true to it’s equestrian theme.

The highlight of the band, for me, is the design that wraps around it. When I sat down with Jeremy Casdagli, for Episode 16: A Conversation with Jeremy Casdagli of Casdagli Cigars, he explained that the design is based on the original wallpaper from Villa Casdagli. With the Casdagli logo, complete with the Colossus of Rhodes, located at the end of the band, the band also pays tribute to Jeremy Casdagli’s family.

PRE-LIGHT OBSERVATIONS

CONSTRUCTION
Casdagli cigars always have a look of elegance to them. Knowing that, this cigar somehow finds a way to exceed that expectation. Perhaps it’s the lancero vitola that adds an extra layer of elegance? It could be the smooth Costa Rican Claro wrapper? Maybe it’s the understated pigtail? Though, “ponytail” would be more in-line with the equestrian theme.

Regardless, the Cremello is well constructed. The wrapper is smooth and inviting. While there are a few visible seams, the cigar is smooth to the touch. While I have always found darker wrappers to be sexy, the Costa Rican Claro wrapper is the perfect finishing touch for this elegant cigar.

AROMA
The aromas from the foot and wrapper are great: leather, tobacco, and a sweetness that I can’t immediately place.

COLD DRAW
There has been much discussion, among some bloggers, about the resistance and construction of the Cremello. For transparency, I ordered this box on December 4, 2019 and it has been sitting in my humidor at 65% RH since its arrival. I know that lanceros can have some draw issues; however, the three that I smoked for this review were in an acceptable range of resistance on the draw. I would only describe 1 of the 3 as having a “tight” draw, but it did not hinder the cigar’s performance or my experience. As I have stated before, cigar smoking is subjective; your mileage may vary.

The tasting note that I couldn’t immediately place from the smell becomes apparent on the initial cold draw: sweetened cocoa.

SMOKING EXPERIENCE

LIGHT & DRAW
Cut: Xikar Xi1 (Casdagli Edition)
Fire: Xikar Allume Double
While it’s customary to twist off the…ahem…ponytail, I chose to use the Casdagli themed Xi1. First, it’s a beautiful cutter. Second, it just felt like that’s what I should use. Finally, I am terrible at twisting off pigtails and felt that I’d be equally terrible at twisting off a ponytail.

The cut and light was effortless, just as you would expect from a cigar with an air of elegance. The first few puffs had a hint of pepper but quickly faded, and I settled in to take the Cremello through its paces.

SMOKE
The smoke output was generous and creamy, but the slight breeze would whisk it away rather quickly.

FIRST THIRD
>> Cedar, Earth, Baking Spices

While I did get a little bit of pepper on the initial few puffs, the cigar quickly settled into its medium profile. I was a little disappointed that the sweet cocoa smell emanating from the foot was not immediately discernible, but patience is a virtue and the first third of the Cremello was anything but disappointing.

Notes of earth and wood mingled together very nicely. There is nothing overpowering or off-putting about the flavors; quite the opposite, in fact. The flavors are inviting and the smoke is cool. Casdagli cigars have long been compared, in some circles, to Cuban cigars and Davidoff cigars. The nuances I found in the first third remind me greatly of both. With baking spices found on the retrohale.

The ash holds on until I dare not allow it stay. A soft tap and it effortlessly falls, retaining most of its integrity. I notice that the ash is tight, like a stack of dimes. The grey and black of the ash remind me of a tuxedo. Everything about this experience is elegant! I suddenly feel very underdressed.

SECOND THIRD
>> Leather, Nuts, Salted Butter, Cocoa

The second third of the Cremello is where my patience pays off. SWEETENED COCOA! I savor the taste when I notice leather, nuts, and salted butter make their way to the soiree. Leather becomes the dominating flavor as the others dance in and out throughout the second third. I am amazed at the nuance this cigar possesses.

The ash falls at the halfway point, and that’s when I notice the burn. It’s not razor sharp, but it is far from sloppy. Is it the slight breeze? Is it construction? Is it…I don’t care. It is not interfering with the experience. Not at all.

The strength begins its trek from medium to medium-full, but the transition is smooth.

FINAL THIRD
>> Charred wood, Chocolate, Pepper, Baking Spices

The final third finds charred wood being the predominant flavor; though, there is a sweetness that trails behind it. The chocolate note weaves in and out of the charred wood, along with nuts, pepper, and baking spice on the retrohale.

Again, the ash holds until I lightly tap the cigar. The burn, never razor sharp, does nothing to detract from the experience…other than mildly annoy me.

The smoke remains cool until I nub the Cremello. Probably an undignified thing to do with such an elegant stick, but I could not help myself. I finally put it down as the pepper and spice tickled my tongue.

RATING & FINAL THOUGHTS

FLAVOR PROGRESSION
The flavors found in the Cremello compliment one another throughout. The cigar transitions from medium to medium full, but does so as gracefully as I’ve seen. The flavors perform an intricate dance with each other that adds to its elegance.

BURN EXPERIENCE
The smoke output was never over the top, by an stretch of the imagination; it left me wanting more. The burn was a bit uneven on all three cigars I smoked, but none required touch-ups or relights.

RATING BREAKDOWN
0.76 / 0.80 … Craft & Aesthetic
0.50 / 0.50 … Pre-Light Characteristics
0.50 / 0.50 … Lighting Process
6.90 / 7.70 … Smoking Experience
0.48 / 0.50 … Personal Enjoyment

COMPLIMENTS & CRITIQUES

Black Tie Affair.

Cigars are a luxury item. The Cremello is a luxury cigar. Put simply, it is elegance personified. From cut & light, to the very last puff the experience is elegant. It is a cigar that you would expect to see at black tie parties, smoked by the upper crust of society. The Cremello will not disappoint…but, put on a tie when you smoke one!

SIMPLY STOGIES RATING: 9.14/ 10.0

Casdagli Daughters of the Wind Cremello