Caldwell King is Dead Escape Plan cigars build on an already impressive success story. The original King Is Dead blend was the company’s first Cigar Aficionado Top 25 List appearance. In 2015, it was the #19 cigar, sporting a 93 rating. The CA taster observed that the cigar “combines the nuance of maple sweetness and the tonality of earth in unexpected ways.” That, plus the interesting tobaccos used, were enough to make a reputation for a company on the upswing.
Now, Robert Caldwell and his crew of super cool globetrotting dudes with full wine glasses and open button-down shirts (just check his Instagram) are at it again. This time, the Caldwell King is Dead Escape Plan is upping the ante.
The last go-round, we were enjoying a Dominican puro. For the Escape Plan, we’re now getting a few new tobaccos. The filler blend gets a blast of flavor from Nicaraguan and Peruvian leaves. There’s still a Dominican binder. And then the final piece of the puzzle is a Dominican negrito Mejorado wrapper.
As many learned from the Fuentes, this is the magic part. Growing wrapper leaf in La Republica Dominicana is not easy. Most growers find it isn’t worth the effort and grow tobacco for other purposes. Leo Reyes, on the other hand, has found a method and a farm that works. His farm in Navarette near Santiago is famous for it (in addition to being the first place to grow Piloto Cubano). His Dominican negrito wrapper leaf is grown under shade tents to help it stay thin and workable as an outer layer for cigars. The result is an absolutely fantastic Dominican cover leaf made by a man who really knows his stuff.
It’s pricey, in high demand, and now graces Caldwell King is Dead Escape Plan cigars.
The rollers at Tabacalera William Ventura in the Dominican Republic know just what to do with a leaf-like that, and we can’t wait to get our hands on it. Make a little space in your humidor – the king needs a place to escape to!
Please browse our selection of Caldwell King is Dead Escape Plan cigars at your leisure.
- What are the flavors like? Rich and leathery, with spice and complexity.
- What’s the strength level? Medium.
- Who is this cigar for? Caldwell King is Dead Escape Plan cigars are for fans of the original fine blend who want a new take on a hit smoke.
- Will I want to smoke it to the nub? Oh, most definitely.
- What’s a good pairing with it? It would go quite well with a nice glass of Vega Sicilia Único 2009 at Vivino – a highly reviewed Spanish red, aged six years.
- What’s the best time/place to smoke this cigar? When plotting your getaway.
- Any flaws/downsides? No one’s complained yet!
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