Caldwell Anastasia Caspia

The Caldwell Anastasia series is follow-up to Caldwell's the Last Czar and was first released in 2016. Like a few other Caldwell Cigars, this is a collaboration with Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, who makes some absolutely fabulous cigars as well. The cigars are manufactured in the Dominican Republic but the origin of the wrapper and the tobaccos used is manufacture's secret. 

They were somewhat common as recently as a few months ago but it seems the stock at online retailers is running thin. My research shows that the wrapper leaf is not common so the release of these cigars is limited. Regardless of the vitola, they cost around $12.00 USD per stick. Speaking of vitolas, the Anastasia series of smokes can be found in four different shapes and sizes: Kartel (Robusto), Opera (Toro), Mercure (Churchill), and Caspia (Corona). The sample used for this review being the latter Caspia vitola.

Wrapper:?

Binder:? 

Filler: ?

Length: 5 3/4"

Ring Gauge: 43

Size: Corona

The Smoke: The Caldwell Anastasia has a lovely deep brown hue provided by the wrapper. Further inspection of the wrapper shows some thick veins. When squeezed, the cigar feels firm and does not have much sponginess. Overall, this cigar feels well constructed.

I cut this cigar using my Palio straight cutter which took some effort to plow through the cigar and remove the cap. The cold draw as good and featured some nice cedar and leather notes. After toasting and lighting, the cigar started with a more mild profile than I had expected. The flavors after lighting was some light pepper and leather. As the cherry progressed, the cigar increased its strength into a medium profile cigar. As that transition occurred, additional flavor notes of caramel and cedar joined the fray. 

The cigar provided a light and creamy mouthfeel from the smoke from beginning to end.  The Caldwell Anastasia Caspia held together very well during the life of the smoke.  One thing that was disappointing to this cigar was  the burn rate. The burn rate was even for about the first half of the cigar but after that it became very poor and required multiple corrective burns in a feeble attempt to rectify. Sorry, $12 USD cigars should just about be perfect since cigars that are half the price can pull it off.

Frankly, I can not knock the cigar too much. If the burn rate is the worst thing about it, it is a decent cigar. In fact, the Caldwell Anastasia is a decent cigar. It provided a good smoking experience for the hour and five minutes it took to puff away the night. The flavors were good and the cigar feels good holding it. I think the price point is slightly high for what it delivers but given the limited nature of the cigar I certainly understand the reason for the pricing. My advice would be to certainly pick up one or two if you stumble upon any of the vitolas and puff away. It is a good cigar but I would not blow all my wife's pumpkin spice latte money picking up a box.

The Score: Buy a 5 pack