Today I have the pleasure of bringing you all a review of yet another CiGAR CLoWnS special drop. This is round #5 of the NY CiGAR CLoWnS journey to find the perfect cigar. For this drop, they went with a Connecticut shade they have named Captain Spaulding.
For those that don’t know, Captain Spaulding is a fictional character created by Rob Zombie. The character first appeared in Zombie’s 2003 horror film House of 1000 Corpses, portrayed by Sid Haig. According to Zombie, Captain Spaulding was born Johnny Lee Johns and is also known as “Cutter“. In the fictional work, Captain Spaulding has a lengthy criminal history, and earned the nickname “Cutter” for stabbing a man to death.
The CiGAR CLoWnS – Captain Spaulding has a blend described as:
- Wrapper – Connecticut Shade
- Binder – Nicaraguan
- Filler – Nicaraguan
The Captain Spaulding is expressed in a single (5.5 x 46) Corona. They are being offered in 5 and 10 count packs. The CiGAR CLoWnS are putting them up for sale on December 4 and have priced them at $40.00 for a 5-pack or $65.00 for a 10- pack.
The 10-pack will include one of the groups stickers with the new logo.
I sampled two Captain Spauldings for this review which I received from the CiGAR CLoWnS for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The CiGAR CLoWnS – Captain Spaulding is a smooth to the touch and expertly rolled corona with invisible seams and practically no exposed veins. Tan in color with a slight oily sheen, it is solid to the touch and neatly finished with a simple cap.
A single band adorns the corona, using a bright orange and red band that depicts Captain Spaulding in the middle.
Running the Captain Spaulding along the nose, I detected Natural sweetness and baking spice notes along the barrel while the foot exudes a black pepper and hint of earth.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder using my double blade Xikar cutter and preceded with a few cold draw puffs. The draw was spot on with restriction, allowing me to taste the black pepper and nutmeg sensation that is quite tasty. The pepper note continues to grow as you cold puff it. I really am enjoying this pre-light introduction to the Capt. Spaulding.
As all things must progress, It was time to reach for a cedar spill to fire up the Captain. I chose that method as this cigar is a small ring gauge and the wrapper is thinner and more delicate – so you don’t want to scorch it. The soft flame warmed the foot perfectly as I drew in the first puffs of peppery smoke, especially on the retro-hale. Follow along as I burn the Captain Spaulding to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial puffs hit the palate with black pepper shots and open the nasals on each retro-hale
- Solid light grey ash forms on top of an even and medium thick char line
- Oodles of creamy smoke enter the palate on each puff
- As the pepper pulls back a notch, a sweet herbal note greets the palate
- Aromas are quickly developing, filling the air around me with an old school candy store sweetness.
- Fruit notes join the mix after an inch of burn
- Ash falls after a decent burn and reveals a perfect burn cone
- Aroma shifts to more of a nut aroma
- Spice notes start to fill out the profile midway
- Dark Chocolate fires up my chocolate sensors
- The draw has been nothing less then perfect
- A slight mint note enters deep in the second third
- Mild Connecticut bitterness enters for a short while before giving way to a rich cedar note
- Fruit notes return
- Smoke gets a tad hot in the final
- Strength has been steadily increasing to full in the final
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 10 minutes
Overall, the CiGAR CLoWnS – Captain Spaulding was not your every day Connecticut cigar. This corona was filled with a complex and balanced array of delectable flavors and aromas from foot to nub. The strength steadily increased through the journey reaching full at the end. The burn was impeccable with no issues and never needing to set the flame to it, once ignited. Buying a 10-pack of these is no brainer and highly recommended when they go on sale. Get them before they are gone. The CiGAR CLoWnS found a real gem with this one and I rate this a solid 95. Join the CiGAR CLoWnS group here to get them.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Connecticut bitterness deep in second third; (-1) Smoke gets a tad hot in final
Bonus Points: (+1) Buy the 10-pack; (+1) Pristine Burn; (+1) Extremely complex in flavor and aroma
