Released in 2022 Caldwell’s Crafted and Curated series acts as a creative outlet for Robert Caldwell, offering unique blending and sizing experimentation to discerning connoisseurs. Some crafted and Curated cigars tweak existing Caldwell blends with different components or process, while others are entirely distinctive blends. However, all are extremely limited in production and represent Robert’s personal tastes and artistry.
Louis the Last is a variant on The Last Tsar. It features the exact same hybrid Connecticut/Arpiraca Maduro Wrapper with undisclosed binder and fillers, but the wrapper is a different priming and both the wrapper and binder have undergone a different fermentation process for a creamier, smoother, sweeter profile.
OVERVIEW
VITOLA: Robusto
SIZE: 5″ x 50
ORIGIN: Dominican Republic
FACTORY: El Maestro
WRAPPER: Hybrid Connecticut/Arapiraca Maduro
BINDER: Undisclosed
FILLER: Undisclosed
STRENGTH: Medium – Full
SOURCE:
Low Country Pipe and Cigar, Little River, SC
ENVIRONMENT
WHERE:
Front Porch
WHEN:
04/10/23 Early evening
DRINKS:
Dr. Pepper Zero
WEATHER:
Cool, Dry
WHAT’S ON:
Nothing, just the sounds of the neighbor hood.
PRODUCTION
RELEASE TYPE Limited
ORIGINALLY RELEASE DATE July 2022
TOTAL PRODUCTION
Typical Box Size: Boxes of 10
VITOLA BREAKDOWN
o Robusto (5″ x 50)
o Corona (5-1/4″ x 52)
BAND DESIGN
The band on this is the usual The Last Tsar on the top band and then the Crafted and Curated Caldwell band below that. It is the same Caldwell design that those who seek Caldwell have grown to love.
PRE-LIGHT OBSERVATIONS
CONSTRUCTION The wrapper is dark with some obvious veins. The Cigars construction is very nice with a a pigtail on the cap and an open foot.
AROMA
The cigar has a beautiful floral and citrus odor right out of the wrapper.
COLD DRAW
The cold draw on this cigar is nice. It is not too compact and air flow is good. I get some fruit and cedar on the draw.
SMOKING EXPERIENCE
LIGHT & DRAW
Cut: V-Cut
Fire: Kiribi soft flame
My V-cutter slices through the cap without any issues and the cigar stays together nicely. As I light up the foot, it does not take much to get it going and the initial thoughts are “WOW”.
SMOKE
Louis the Last does not put out a ton of smoke initially but it is a nice amount.
FIRST THIRD
Toasted Bread, Baking spices, White pepper.
The “WOW” from the initial light is because of the great flavors of toasted bread and some other baking spices. I have been a fan of the The Last Tsar and was kind of thinking this would be the same but it takes on a totally new life of it’s own. On the retrohale it is a nice white pepper and some cedar. Once into the “meat” of of the first third I am getting some of the citrus that I was smelling when the cigar first came out of the wrapper. The cigar mellows a bit at the end of the first third. I am getting some earthy flavors. The burn up to this point has been great. No need for touch ups or problems with the burn.
SECOND THIRD
>Baking Spice, White Pepper, Dark Chocolate
The second third ends the mild end to the first third. We are back to medium-full body. There is a increase in the cedar and baking spices. On the retro the white pepper is still there but now the baking spices are coming into play also. The burn on the second third is still on-spot, no needs for touch-ups or problems with the construction. As I am getting towards the end of this third, I am starting to get more of the dark chocolate and citrus taste. A little bitterness from the dark chocolate and the sweetness of the citrus balance into a great taste.
FINAL THIRD
baking spice, citrus and pepper
Cedar is at the forefront of the start of the final third. The white pepper and baking spices are still present and make this a pleasant smoke so far. The citrus and chocolate flavors are a nice combination with the pepper. This cigar for being medium-full has not been a pepper bomb but the white pepper has been a compliment to the other flavors that have been there. At the end of this smoke it has performed flawlessly and the burn has been near perfect.
RATING & FINAL THOUGHTS
FLAVOR PROGRESSION
Caldwell does not disappoint once again with this cigar. The progression from a medium-full to medium back to medium-full without kicking you in the butt is a great accomplishment. From the cedar and white pepper to chocolate and citrus flavor is always there and never too much.
BURN EXPERIENCE
The burn was another thing that was not disappointing. The burn line never really got waivered. No touch-ups were needed.
RATING BREAKDOWN
0.78 / 0.80 … Craft & Aesthetic
0.47 / 0.50 … Pre-Light Characteristics
0.50 / 0.50 … Lighting Process
7.48 / 7.70 … Smoking Experience
0.48 / 0.50 … Personal Enjoyment
COMPLIMENTS & CRITIQUES
- Flavor progression was great.
- Construction and burn were near flawless
- Smoke output was low and could be a turn off to people
- Wish it was a regular release.
Not My Last Louis
This was a great 1 hour 20 minute smoke. I honestly think this has been one of my favorite Caldwell cigars that has come out this year. There were some great transitions. The way the cigar smoked was great. I do recommend you grab 1 or 10 if you can before they are gone. Remember they are a limited series from the Crafted and Curated series.
