Smoked: Caldwell Lost & Found Malparidos

Smoked at: West Chester, Ohio

Caldwell Lost & Found Malparidos unbanded toro features a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper and binder with Hondoran filler. As with all Caldwells, this tobacco is presumably well-aged. Part of the Lost & Found back story on this cigar is that only 1200 were ever made available. It’s probably accurate given how long I have been trying to obtain one. The name of the cigar had me confused initially. I thought Malparidos was a Silicon Valley suburb of San Francisco. Wait. That’s Milpitas (a charming little town).

It opens with a heavy array of spice, aged tobacco notes, pepper creeps in with wood, cream, and coffee, But, after a minute or two oak and spice dominate the other flavors. It reminds of a slightly milder version of Southern Draw Kudzu. The retrohale gave up wood, nuts and mild pepper.

The construction was generally good - cold draw with just enough resistance, copious amount of smoke output and nice grey ash that held well like a stack of nickels. It remained fastened to the stick to an inch and a half and rolled off very easily. There were some wrapper unraveling issues during the final third. Dock points.

It’s easy to call the Malparidos a one-trick pony. The flavors are mostly wood and spice, but it was an enjoyable smoke until the wrapper issues at the finish line.