In today’s review, we’re taking a look at another new arrival from Robert Caldwell on the Polish cigar market. Ladies and gentlemen — Long Live The King: My Style is Jalapeño.
Cigars from Caldwell Cigar Company have only recently become available in our market. While their presence in Poland is still relatively new, they have already made an appearance on our cigar menu. With that in mind, this review offers a good opportunity to take a closer look at the brand itself.
A Few Words on Caldwell Cigar Co.
Caldwell Cigar Company was founded in 2013 by a group of friends who set out to do things differently. The brand quickly gained attention, though not without raising a few eyebrows along the way—from its unconventional visual identity to a communication style that stood apart from the rest of the industry. The cigar world welcomed this new arrival with a mix of confusion and curiosity. As they themselves put it: “that’s when we knew we were on the right track.”
Behind the brand stands Robert Caldwell—an enthusiast who previously ran Wynwood Cigar Factory in Miami, as well as The Hotel Humidor Company, a business focused on supplying cigars to the hospitality industry. From the very beginning, Caldwell has also been involved in a range of social and charitable initiatives, supporting the arts, organizing fundraisers, and promoting efforts such as beach cleanups and youth education programs.
I recall one initiative in particular, when Robert Caldwell arranged for cigars to be sent to American soldiers stationed overseas, offering a small gesture of support during difficult moments—done, in his own way, through the medium he knows best.
The brand follows a simple philosophy: create distinctive cigars, present them in unique packaging, enjoy the process, and surround yourself with like-minded people. It’s not about scale, but about quality, passion, and a sense of fun. Caldwell does not follow well-worn paths—whether in tobacco selection or design. The company is known for working with rare tobaccos, often inaccessible to other producers, resulting in cigars that deliver a character all their own.
Long Live The King My Style is Jalapeño
The Long Live The King line is the flagship series of Caldwell Cigar Company, created by Robert Caldwell. The cigars are produced at Tabacalera William Ventura in the Dominican Republic.
Details on the blend tend to vary depending on the source, but according to the manufacturer, it consists of Dominican-grown tobaccos—namely a Corojo wrapper and binder—paired with a filler composed of tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Peru. I have also come across information suggesting that Nicaraguan tobacco plays a dominant role within the filler blend.
The line includes the following vitolas:
- Manzanita (4 x 42),
- Lock Stock (Belicoso) (5 x 52),
- The Heater (5 3/4 x 46),
- Corona (5 3/4 x 43),
- Petite Double Wide Short Churchill (6 x 52),
- Marquis (Gordo) (6 x 60),
- My Style is Jalapeño (Lancero) (7 x 40).
It is also worth noting that the line has seen a special release—Mad Mofo—which appears to be a limited edition.
In Poland, three vitolas from the core line are currently available: Manzanita, Petite Double Wide Short Churchill, and the My Style is Jalapeño featured in today’s review.
A Few Technical Notes
The cigar comes in a classic Lancero format, measuring 7 inches (approx. 17.78 cm) with a 40 ring gauge. The wrapper appears dark at first glance—oily, with a visibly pronounced vein structure. The head is finished with a small pigtail cap, adding a touch of character to the overall presentation.
The blend consists of Dominican-grown tobaccos—a Corojo wrapper and binder—paired with a filler composed of leaves from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Peru, reportedly with a noticeable dominance of Nicaraguan tobacco.
Visually, the cigar stands out thanks to its distinctive band, depicting what appears to be a young man with a crown slipping down over his eyes. The name of the line—Long Live the King—combined with this unconventional artwork and the rather eccentric naming convention, makes for something truly memorable. Personally, I find it absolutely captivating.
The color palette is dominated by beige, burgundy, and gold—fitting choices for something that carries a decidedly royal identity.
The Cut
I decided to go with a straight cut. Before doing so, however, I give the cigar a proper pre-light inspection. The aroma is immediately pronounced—quite intense, in fact. From the wrapper, I pick up a floral sweetness layered with notes of coffee. It comes across as rich and inviting.
A quick snip—and the small pigtail cap comes off effortlessly. The draw is very good, offering just the right amount of resistance.
On the cold draw, the cigar delivers notes of earth, accompanied by a touch of wood.
The Light
I take my time to properly toast the foot with a jet flame, bringing the cigar to life with a series of short, gentle puffs. I set it down for a brief moment to let it settle before moving into the first impressions.
The opening draws greet me with a note of coffee, supported by a touch of earth in the background. Very quickly, roasted hazelnuts emerge and begin to take the lead. In fact, the nutty character becomes dominant, gradually shifting toward something more reminiscent of almonds as the profile develops.
There’s also a subtle saline note in the mix, adding depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile.
Strength & Body
The strength falls within the medium-to-full range, with the flavor profile aligning closely in that same bracket.
Aroma & Smoke
The cigar produces generous amounts of aromatic smoke, carrying a distinctly nutty character.
Construction & Burn
The burn remains even throughout, and the construction allows you to fully settle into the moment without distraction.
Final Thoughts on Long Live The King My Style is Jalapeño
A very good cigar—across the board. While the format isn’t entirely my usual preference, I find myself appreciating the Lancero more with each one I smoke. Perhaps it’s the slightly thicker ring gauge in this case—I’m not entirely sure.
Like any Lancero, it demands attention, but rewards it accordingly.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. And I’m glad there’s still one more resting in my humidor.
The cigar for this review was provided by Szymon Kwiatkowski of Premium Cigars.
If you enjoyed reading this, let me know! Drop a comment or share the post – every bit of support helps others discover my cigar reviews and smoking tips. If you prefer to listen, I co-host a podcast with Piotr Siwiński called „Spotkanie z Dymem” („A Meeting with Smoke”) – currently in Polish, though who knows what the future holds? You can also find me on Instagram, where I share a slice of my cigar life – and a bit more. I always welcome a good conversation. That’s how great connections start – and they often go far beyond just cigars.
Stay smoky!
Mateusz Krzywiecki, @mateusz.krzywiecki, Polski Aficionado, @polskiaficionado
