Vitola: Toro
Size: 6″ x 50 ring gauge
Price $36.00/3 Pack MSRP
Obtained From SmallBatchCigar.com as a review sample
Background
Today I’ll be looking at another one of the Caldwell Impromptu cigars, the Cream Machine. You can check out my review of the other Impromptu line, the Holy Braille here. According to the package, which looks like an orange creamsicle, these cigars were made in 2006 and there are only 1,800 cigars. From the rumors I heard these cigars were made for someone else and then kind of forgot about them until Robert found them. The cigars are comprised of HVA (whatever that is), Piloto Cubano, Habano, and Arapiraca tobaccos. These cigars come packed in either a 3 count bundle or a 9 count bundle. This was the second one of these cigars I smoked.
Prelight
The wrapper is a nice medium brown with a good amount of oils to it. It was fairly smooth to the touch with there not being many veins to it. Like I said with the other Impromptu cigar, I really wish they would have put a band on it. It would make it easier if it fell out of the pack in my humidor. When I gave it a squeeze there was a slight amount of give but no soft spots to it. Putting my nose to the wrapper I noted the aroma of leather with raisins coming from the foot. After clipping it and taking a cold draw on it I got a light amount of sweetness with a good draw.
Flavor
It starts off with a good amount of spice on the tongue and the retrohale. After taking a few puffs on it I noted some flavors of citrus, leather, cinnamon and graham with a hint of green herbs to it. The cigar starts off in the medium range. As I moved into the second third I started to get a stronger citrus flavors with some wood, graham, leather all with a sweet finish. During the second third the spice did tone down on the retrohale but was till present on the tongue. It was still medium strength. Once I got into the final third the strength did start to build a bit but never really got out of the upper end of medium. The flavors were fairly similar to the second third, except the sweet finish was exchanged for a creamy finish.
Construction
Throughout the cigar the draw was just about perfect. I did have to correct the burn once but that could have been due to the wind that was blowing.
Value
I think that the price of $12 each is just a little high. But I would buy it again.
Conclusions
I definitely enjoyed this cigar. It went well with the water I had with the review sample, and with the bourbon I had when I smoked the previous one. It would be a good cigar to go with a cup of coffee as your first cigar of the day. It might just be my favorite of the Impromptu cigars (I’ve had 4 of the lines). It is something that almost any smoker could enjoy, if they could get their hands on it. I’m surprised that a cigar that is said to be 9 years old still has as much spice and flavor as this one had.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10
That is an amazing flavor profile. I know I’d love these.
I don’t see these on SmallBatchCigar.com anymore. Shucks!
sound great, I wish I could’ve grabbed a few
Everyone is clamoring for these cigars. Good review.
Great review. Wish I could’ve gotten my hands on some when they were available.
Cigars that are this rare bug me, people say how good they are and then I cant get my hands on any. I will not be smoking these on principal alone.
Guys I know a rare cigar review can suck because they are hard to get. I did this one because I got the chance to try them. I didn’t even know about these being released until after. However what I personally like to know about rare cigars is what they are like if there is a chance to pick one up in the future. How do I know if I’m going to like a cigar or not and do I want to chance it? That is why I did this, so that you’d all know whether or not you’d want to try it given the chance.
A cigar this old is a rare find I would assume. so these were made this long ago and just released now? I do like the packaging although I’m sure these wont be in my area anytime soon. Nice review, I don’t mind the odd or rare reviews sometimes it is fun to see how the other half lives 😉
When I read $36 for 3 cigars, I did not read the rest of the review. I won’t miss smoking this cigar. Thanks
Ya Caldwell does it again. Limited this, limited that, I am tired of all the “Limited” marketing. This sounds like an interesting cigar.I would have tried it but will be damned if I have to jump through hoops just to get one. Thanks for the review.
Agree with some of the other guys about “rare” cigars and such. Thanks for the review, would be cool to try if found but as others have stated, won’t be jumping through hoops to find them.
It is annoying finding out something is going to be hard to acquire, but I certainly don’t fault Keith for writing this! I always review rares when I get the chance.
Though I have these in my humidor, I do agree with many on this board that this limited/rare concept is getting quite annoying. Will you be reviewing any of the other limited Caldwell/Lost and Found cigars?
If I get a chance to try the cigars I will. Although it doesn’t look like it at the moment. I did do the review on the Holy Braille.