Casdagli Cigars (formerly Bespoke Cigars) announced their newest line, Daughters of the Wind late last year. “The Daughters of the Wind“ is a famous Arabian poem written in the 6th century inspired by the beauty of Bedouin horses. Demy & Alick Casdagli purchased the Sheikh Obeyd stables just outside Cairo in the early 1900’s and became very successful breeders of Arabian race horses. This cigar is meant to celebrate that success.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
“A great looking subtle soft medium brown wrapper with an amazing tiny veined appearance. Torpedo tipped and a closed foot begin and end this fine looking specimen. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
Aroma: 92
“There’s a nice amount of baking spice and tobacco from the foot. The pre-draw is a little tight but I’m picking up notes of stone fruit and baking spice. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Flavor: 91 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“On the cold draw I get chocolate souffle with more wood and salt. As the cigar progresses I get quite a bit of wood, walnuts and some cream throughout. It’s burning quite lovely and slowly. Ash is holding on.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Straight away this cigar gave flavors of wood and grains. Oats and even corn seemed to come and go with each puff. These grains were carried by main tastes of cedar and dry grass.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Second Third
Flavor: 90 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“A bit of cocoa joins liking the transitions seems like every couple draws has a new surprise keeping the cigar very interesting. Cigar loses strength to light medium. All spice departs. Cocoa and wood note become more pronounced.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“A tar build up developed and I had to re-cut the cigar a bit. On the plus side it did fix the draw issues but the smoke output is still a littler thinner then I prefer. There’s a little more salt than the first third and I’m getting a stronger amount of leather compared to the first third. Loam and dark chocolate round out the profile.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Final Third
Flavor: 90 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The flavors really ramped up at the end. There’s a very strong level of loam now, leather, pepper, cedar, and a salty finish. I’m getting a very faint level of citrus occasionally now. Only downside is that I’ve had to re-cut several times due to a tar build up at the head; but the smoke output and draw have gotten better every time I’ve done so. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“There was a bitterness building at the v-cut, and a straight cut took care of that issue. The final third continued right where the previous part of the cigar left
“I’d love to smoke this again. The flavors were crisp and clean with a nice progression throughout. The smoke output was great after a few re-cuts; but I’m not sure I would have discovered that if not for the massive tar build up. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Overall I was excited to light up this Cigar, however it turned out to be a sea of strong black coffee and tons of char. At times the bitterness was just a turn off and distracted from any other possible flavors that I am sure the blender intended to exhibit. With a tight draw, I believe the flavors were limited to this particular stick. Based on this sample, I cannot recommend this cigar at all. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“Overall I enjoyed this cigar despite the issues that it gave me. There was plenty of nut, leather, salt, some chocolate flavors going on to keep my interest. Would definitely smoke again, but not in a torpedo shape. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“This cigar was just a very solid performer. The aroma in the room was very fragrant, and the taste on my palate had me coming back for more every time I set the cigar down. A great choice with a cup of coffee in the morning, I highly suggest it.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Blind Cigar Review: Casdagli | Daughters of the Wind Calico
Summary
"I'd love to smoke this again. The flavors were crisp and clean with a nice progression throughout. The smoke output was great after a few re-cuts; but I'm not sure I would have discovered that if not for the massive tar build up." -Alan (Eulogy)
