Caldwell Booth Hit and Run Cigar Review – A Fine Collaboration

The phrase Hit and Run can refer to a number of things. If you are a baseball fan like me, it refers to a high risk and high reward strategy where the defending infielders are placed out of position to make a play. The term also refers to a car accident where the “at fault” driver flees the scene of the accident. In a strange way that could also be a high risk and high reward maneuver, if the “at fault” driver gets away unidentified. In a marketing sense, the term is used to describe a strategy used by businesses to enter a particular market to avail of the high profits during the time the profitability is high, and then leave the market when the profitability reduces.

In January of 2017 Matt Booth announced his exit from the cigar market. He was affiliated with Davidoff since 2009 and his contract expired on January 1, 2017. He decided not to renew it. In an interview with Cigar Aficionado he stated:

 “The contract ended, and I think that it’s time for a new beginning for Room101. I am grateful for the years of partnership and support from Davidoff.”

The announcement came as a big surprise until later in July it was announced that Matt Booth and Robert Caldwell would be releasing a collaboration called the Hit and Run and it would be shown at the IPCPR later that month. But this does not seem to be a Hit and Run in the classic sense as there is now a second release from a Matt Booth collaboration with Abdel Fernández  (A.J. Fernández ) and Robert Caldwell known as  “The Truth” which started to show up in October.

Today Zach Riley and Boston Jimmie would like to provide a collaborative review of the Hit and Run cigar. As you will read, you too will wonder what a strange name they selected for this cigar as this is certainly not a one and out for Matt after leaving Davidoff. Of course this could be a high risk and high reward for Matt and we feel it is certainly high reward.

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The Hit and Run Cigar

By Boston Jimmie and Zach Riley

As noted, the Hit and Run is a collaboration between Matt Booth and Robert Caldwell. It is manufactured in the Dominican Republic at Tabacalera William Ventura. The blend is described as:

• Wrapper: – Ecuadorian Habano
• Binder – Indonesia
• Filler – Dominican Republic corojo

The Hit and Run cigar is available in 5 vitolas and come packaged in 10-count boxes.

• Super Toro: 6 x 54  (MSRP $12.50)
• Torpedo: 6 x 50 (MSRP $13.25)
• Perfecto: 5.1 x 60 (MSRP $13.25)
• Corona: 6 x 46 (MSRP $10.50)
• Almost Robusto:  4.7 x 52 (MSRP $11.50)

Zach contacted me the other day and said he wanted to review the Hit and Run cigar and I told him I sampled that and have notes on it, so we should do a collaborative review. I decided it would be best to include both our notes in the article so you can get different perspectives of this cigar. Zach and I both sampled the Almost Robusto vitola of the Hit and Run. Zach purchased his and I was gifted one from my Stogie Press associate Alton Otto.

Pre-Light Examination

Examining the Hit and Run cigar your eyes are quickly attracted to the gleaming Ecuadorian Habano dark tan wrapper. It has some noticeable seems and is finished with a simple cap. It is pretty much void of veins.

There are two bands on this cigar. The primary is the Matt Booth Room 101 flower blossom logo centered in a white background while the second is a gold band that simply states “101”. The “0” in the number also contains the logo in it, as a reminder that this is a Matt Booth creation and he is back in the business.

Running it across the nose I picked up a light sweet spice along the barrel and earth and pepper on the foot.

Zach got a nutty and hay note on the cold draw that he described “very strange”. As for me, the cold draw offered earth and pepper with a hint of fruit.

With the preliminary exam out-of-the-way, it is time to break down the burn.

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Cigar Review Notes

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Boston Jimmie

• Initial light is mild on the palate with notes of citrus and cream you know it kind of reminds me of an orange Creamsicle
• Bright white, well-formed ash develops
• Immediate oils above the medium burn line
• A touch of malt fills in the first inch of burn
• Floral aroma
• Thick creamy smoke
• The malt is blending well with the citrus
• Very smooth on the retrohale
• Hint of white pepper on the throat
• Ash is terrific
• Long orange zest finish as it gets to midway point
• Aroma is moving to nut
• Cedar works its way in
• Ash falls half way through
• The nut makes its way onto the palate as peanut
• Well centered burn cone – excellent construction
• A licorice note tantalizing the tip of the tongue
• Spice increases in final third with a touch of savory notes
• Peanut lingers on the tongue
• Medium Strength
• Total Smoking Time was around one hour.

Overall, the Hit and Run cigar from the Caldwell/Booth collaboration was an awesome cigar and a great way to welcome back Matt Booth from his short hiatus from the business. The flavors were incredibly well-balanced throughout and the burn was outstanding with a long ash. This may be called the Hit and Run but I see this as being around for quite some time.

I am looking forward to sampling the next creation between Matt, Robert, and A.J. -The Truth. There is certainly a story in the making here.  – Boston Jimmie

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Zach Riley

• First third: I light the Hit and Run up, and I’m getting some light white pepper, some honey nut, and some heavy hay on the inhale. Super tasty. Really nice so far. Through the nose I am getting a stronger sensation of the honey nut, and lighter on the hay. Really nice so far. Not as spicy as you would think for a Habano. Quite flavorful. I’ll be back in a bit with the second third with the Hit and Run by Caldwell and Room 101.

• Second Third: We’re creeping into the second third of the Hit and Run, and it has went from sweet and spicy to just sweet. It is so wonderful. It taste great. So smooth, and just excellent. The honey nut is like a honey nut mixed with hay all at the same time. So much going on in this cigar. Through the nose I’m getting a heavy hay still, but has transformed into a light cedar.

• Final Third: I am in the final third of the Hit and Run, and the immense amount of spice I thought would be there throughout is finally here. It is a black pepper spice. Almost on the tip of the tongue. The nose is getting a white pepper. Much less spice than on the inhale, but a different note than on the inhale. The retro has been almost constant. I have gotten a hay-like taste through the nose almost constantly. Really interesting. The spice is still there, but it’s a white pepper. The inhale is still very stout consisting of mainly black pepper.

Overall, the Caldwell/Room 101 collaboration between Robert Caldwell and Matt Booth was excellent. The Hit and Run had a lot going on in it. Extremely complex, changed several times through the smoke, and had stupendous construction. I will certainly be smoking more of these, and hopefully you’ll smoke one as well. Matt and Robert did a wonderful job on this. Bravo, gentlemen. As always thank you for reading and I hope to see you again soon in the future! – Zach Riley