Today, since I’m in Cigar City, USA, I tried a Gibraltar Extra maduro by Robert Caldwell. Some of you may be familiar with his King is Dead line. My 52 x 6 1/2 torpedo was perfectly constructed with a firm feel and a slightly oily appearance. The burn and draw were smooth, even, and effortless. The smooth smoke developed alongside a pure gray ash. Beautiful.

A product of the Dominican, this stick is medium to medium-full bodied with a delighful taste – a little peppery, a little woody, and a little hint of leather. Perfect for a warm but overcast day. Mine was enjoyed with coffee but I could easily see it paired with a good amber or brown ale. This strikes me as one of those rare cigars that will be good at any time of day, any time of the year, and under most atmospheric conditions.

This cigar is as complex, beautiful, and interesting as its geographic namesake, the Rock of Gibraltar. I have never been disappointed with any Caldwell offering. I hope the tradition continues…

You see Caldwell (founded in 2014) is one of the wonderful boutique firms in danger of extinction thanks to the FDA, Congress, and Hussein Obama. When or if we start losing good cigars, we need to pay our due respects to all of our betters who helped dampen the industry. They’re not helping children. They’re not helping families. They’re helping BIG tobacco and the busybodies of the regulatory state.

The Anglo-Spanish Gibraltar of limestone features a Moorish fort, a relic of the 700 year quest of the Spaniards to rid themselves of Islamic dominance. I pray we need not suffer that long under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Thank you, Mr. Caldwell, for producing excellence. To the producers of government misery – sic semper tyrannis.