Caldwell Cigar Co. "Pepper Cream Soda 10th Anniversary" Review: Savoring the Last of Its Kind

Rare as can be, and featuring higher primings off the tobacco plant, as well as a fair deal more age, the 10th Anniversary version of Pepper Cream Soda by Caldwell Cigar Co. is one of those obscure stogies that collectors and boutique blend snobs seek out. 

Since the ingredients are the exact same as the regular version of Pepper Cream Soda, one can expect an oily, Ecuador-born arapiraca wrapper, a piloto binder, and then more of the same piloto strain inside, along with some Cuban-seed Havana Vuelta Abajo (HVA) and a pinch of habano.

Additional exposure to sunlight tends to not only make higher primings off a tobacco plant more intense, but more resinous and oily as well, so those looking for a more aromatic, deeper layered version of the normal blend need look no further. At least, that's the general gist of things with this anniversary smoke.

Adding further appeal is the fact that Klaro appears to have procured the last few boxes of this Robert Caldwell rarity, and we have been unable to find it for sale anywhere else online. So, who's ready for another one of our signature, ultra-obscure Klaro cigar reviews? I know I am...

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Unlit Impressions

 

Two things strike me when I see this cigar, and attempt to compare it to the regular version it was based on. 

The first is that it's oily. REALLY OILY. Like a polished chestnut or acorn shell, pulled straight from the nicotine-soaked clutches of a greedy, stogie-smoking villain of a chipmunk in some B-grade 1980s cartoon. Am I the only one who misses seeing cartoon characters smoking with wild abandon? Ah, the good old days...

Secondly, I notice that the white-on-white primary band is causing me to squint so that I can make out the soda can and pepper shaker outline. They're both there, but barely. Underneath, you will find a slim, faded key lime green anniversary band commemorating the decade of sales associated with this core cog in Caldwell's ever-turning Lost & Found wheelhouse.

But back to that wrapper though, because it isn't every day you see an arapiraca leaf from Ecuador on the outside of a cigar. Significantly darker than the normal version and more heavily veined, it's pretty obvious that this is indeed a higher priming off the plant. It's also expertly applied and smells oily, spicy, spiced, and sweet. Like a chestnut-studded baumkuchen dessert cake topped with a Mont Blanc tart packing a hefty punch of cinnamon and brown sugar. 

Although the flat cap may raise an eyebrow, it is the aromas from the other end that make me smile. Citrus strong, and unquestionably creamy, the foot smells like a 7-Up vanilla cream float, but in an undeniably effervescent form. Peppercorn aromas can be found, but without any spiciness, and behind sits a pinch of cedar, and a fine dusting of baby powder.

Anyone in search of a clean, light cold draw is likely going to enjoy the simple, clean, and creamy taste pulled from the cap of this unlit cigar. Vanilla and toasted almonds, touches of aged cedar and cinnamon, and a pinch of salt and pepper all taste marvelous in the mouth.

Caldwell Cigar Co. "Pepper Cream Soda 10th Anniversary" Review

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Initial Smoke

 Caldwell Cigar Co. "Pepper Cream Soda 10th Anniversary" Review

Wasting no time in getting right down to business, this blend goes right for that pop of pepper up front, and then smooths it out with a creamy can of soda on the backend. Potent yet poised, the blend opens you up to tastes of salt and pepper, spiced cedar, and a super clean, yet fairly strong retrohale that sits behind a perfect draw.

1st Half

 Caldwell Cigar Co. "Pepper Cream Soda 10th Anniversary" Review

Already squarely on the medium mark, the first third unfolds with ligero potency at the center, and a cedar soil mixture dancing around it. Floral on the nose and finish, but entirely pepper cream soda everywhere else, this smoke mirrors its name perfectly with each pull. And what a pull it is, with a perfect draw being produced each time.

Nutty notes of almond and the toasted tannins that come with them evolve rapidly, and fit perfectly in with the effervescent, medium-bodied creaminess of that smoky mouthfeel. By now, much of the ligero strength and spiciness has died back, leaving behind a cedar and cinnamon blend that turns the second third into a smoker's delight. 

2nd Half

 Caldwell Cigar Co. "Pepper Cream Soda 10th Anniversary" Review

But along with all of this smoothness comes a gradual move toward the darker corners of the Brazilian rainforest. The arapiraca wrapper has decided to go more for the pepper than the soda, and the spiciness from first light starts to slither back onto the tasting table. 

However, this peppery wallop is partially deflected by the introduction of citrus, which is more of a faint zest than a juiciness. The taste of toasted tortilla chips emerges for a moment in the final third, adding a familiar corn and salt taste to the blend, before transforming back into that sublime almond cream flavor from earlier.

Parting Puffs

 Caldwell Cigar Co. "Pepper Cream Soda 10th Anniversary" Review

Vanilla spells the end of things to come, with the ever-present aroma of dried flowers and cinnamon sending the senses in a different direction. Tannin strong and unexpectedly subdued in spiciness; the last of this stick lets the cream soda send you off instead of the peppercorn punch one expects.

Ash / Burn / Smoke / Draw

 Caldwell Cigar Co. "Pepper Cream Soda 10th Anniversary" Review

Burn issues in the first half, resulting in a large touch-up and a flaky, blooming ash, were the primary problems encountered with the combustion of this blend. There was also an issue with burn rate, which was rather rapid, and caused the cigar smoke to get hot at times. But from the second third onward, the cigar burned much better, and I found the draw to be perfectly executed. The texture of that smoke ruled too, with an ideal, medium amount of body and depth being felt within each pull.

Final Thoughts

 Caldwell Cigar Co. "Pepper Cream Soda 10th Anniversary" Review

Nuttier, oilier, and a few ticks stronger than the regular version, Caldwell's 10th Anniversary salute to Pepper Cream Soda punches the clock and gets right to work on creating a solid smoking experience. Does it lean a bit heavy on the pepper? Yes. Are the upticks in strength and spiciness unexpected at times and not always necessary? For sure. But it's nothing the average cigar smoker cannot handle, or in certain cases, will turn their nose up to.

Ah, and speaking of the nose, I must say that this rarity really leans on the nutty, floral aromatics. It also tastes just like a cream soda in certain spots, a bright, citrusy 7-Up in others, and a peppery mixed nut medley at times, too. Combine this with an ideal draw and a really smooth finish, and you are looking at what might be one of the best B-side rarities we have ever scored here at Klaro. 

Caldwell Cigar Co. "Pepper Cream Soda 10th Anniversary" Review

Flavor, Aroma & Transitions

Depth & Complexity

Construction, Burn & Physical Appeal

Backstory & Branding

Overall Balance & Repeatability

Stogie Specs

Cigar

Caldwell Cigar Co. "Pepper Cream Soda 10th Anniversary"

Wrapper

Arapiraca (Ecuador)

Binder

Piloto Cubano (Dominican Republic)

Filler

Piloto Cubano, Cuban-Seed HVA & Habano (Dominican Republic)

Factory

Dominican Republic

Size

5″ x 50 (Robusto)

Strength

Medium

Pairing Drink

Japanese Organic Ginger Ale

Rating

 4.4/5

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