Max, I just had an Eastern Standard and it was my first Caldwell. I was disappointed in the cigar but I’m glad I’ve got the other blends to try out. I’m all about trying it for myself and making my own determination, like you. I have a couple more Eastern Standards and I will smoke them to see if they are all crap or hit-and-miss. My philosophy is smoke’em if you got’ ‘em and don’t buy again if I don’t like’em.

jeebling wrote:

I only read your first post and last.

I suggest you steer clear of Gurkhas. That may have been stated once or twice here already.

Caldwell's a little hit and miss for me, but the Blind Man's Bluff are purty good

Sunoverbeach wrote:

Ok, I’m back to add a little to this discussion. Based on all the input and the list provided here I thought I’d share what I think I’ve experienced. I tried a Tatuaje Caballero, and Crowned Heads Serie E… loved them both, especially the Tatuaje which was really smooth and really good flavor. The bad… I tried a Caldwell The King is Dead… well he must be dead because that cigar was terrible. No flavor, about the only good thing I can say about that was it burned evenly. Extremely disappointed in the Caldwell, but since they’re on the GOOD list in this thread, is there. A specific Caldwell that is considered good?

maxd518 wrote:

I just had a Caldwell The King is Dead The Last Payday (dont know where or how they get these dumb names). It was fantastic. The construction, the burn, everything about this cigar was flawless. Now I am NOT a Caldwell fan. I got a sampler or two, and some I liked a bit better than others, but on the whole Meh.
This one though, was a Cigar of the Month selection and I will definitely order more. Its about $15 and worth every dime. FOR ME. I also felt the Freud Agape was dynamite. $30 a stick though....

Mraia wrote:

Ok, I’m back to add a little to this discussion. Based on all the input and the list provided here I thought I’d share what I think I’ve experienced. I tried a Tatuaje Caballero, and Crowned Heads Serie E… loved them both, especially the Tatuaje which was really smooth and really good flavor. The bad… I tried a Caldwell The King is Dead… well he must be dead because that cigar was terrible. No flavor, about the only good thing I can say about that was it burned evenly. Extremely disappointed in the Caldwell, but since they’re on the GOOD list in this thread, is there. A specific Caldwell that is considered good?

maxd518 wrote:

This may interest some of us. I take it with a grain of salt.

jeebling wrote:

Haven't smoked a ton of them, but can't say I've come across any large stems in the ones I've had. Padron tends to be decent with the QC stuff. Mebbe you're particularly unlucky?

Sunoverbeach wrote:

I'll never understand the big stems I get in Padron 64's and 26's. Everyone one I've had was like that.
Anybody else have this experience, and why do they do this. There must be a reason.

HighSierraSmookin' wrote:

I bought a box of Buenavista cigars. Back in 2012-14ish I had a 5 pack and enjoyed them. So I saw it, same branding logos etc and bought a box. But the original company is no more. Now it's owned by a cigar retailer and a super cheap flavorless junk cigar. .

danmdevries wrote: