Cigar Info
Casdagli Cabinet Selection has been around since 2016 and uses the very special Dominican Cotui wrapper grown by Hendrik Kelner Jr’s sister Monika Kelner and exclusively reserved for the Kelner family. It is described as a medium-bodied cigar.
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.
In addition to the Dominican Cotui wrapper, the blend uses a Nicaraguan binder, and Dominican fillers. Casdagli Cabinet Selection comes in slide top boxes of 25 and 50 and each includes a 69% RH 10g Boveda humidification pack. It is blended by Hendrik Kelner Jr., son of Henke Kelner and made at the Kelner Boutique Factory.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Petite Corona
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 40
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Dominican Cotui
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Republic
Factory: Kelner Boutique Factory
Blender: Hendrik Kelner Jr.
Number of reviewers: 4 – Kevin A. (Kevin A.) Matt Cade (CadeTNCC) James H. (Keikan Jim) Vance T. (Vance)
Price: $9.00
Age: 2 Years
Release Date: 2015
Contributed by: Casdagli Cigars
Initial Impressions – Casdagli Cabinet Selection Romano
Appearance: 88
“This is a cute lil guy. Light caramel brown wrapper, that is actually slightly darker from about the midway point to the cap. The seams actually follow the color as it darkens making them visible. There is a slight softness to the foot, but the cigar is firm from @ 1/2″ up to the cap. The wrapper has quite a bit of oiliness to it, several small but sharply raised veins, and quite a bit of tooth to it.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
Aroma: 88
“On this day, I could not detect much of an aroma from the wrapper. Putting the foot to my nose, I detect a hint of graham and sweet tobacco.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
First Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The first thing that has to be mentioned after toasting the foot of the cigar is the fantastic aroma that pours from the foot. There’s strong leather through the nose and a buttered, wheat bread note being delivered loud and clear via the draw. Not a bad start at all. That buttery element quickly recedes, unfortunately, and the breadiness is then gradually joined by a dark coffee note. The burn line is a bit wavy and requires some occasional help with my lighter.” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)
“After snipping the cap, The dry draw produces a nearly flawless draw. A musty earthiness was prominent on the tongue. Once lit, a sweetness jumped to the front quickly replaced by some white pepper and cedar. So far so good.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
Second Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“retro picks up nicely here. the cinnamon is still around and is intensified with a hint of cayenne, leaving a faint note of buttercream on the finish. The vegetal, steamed broccoli funk persists on the front which is unfortunate. construction is solid this 3rd but heading into the home stretch, the harshness returns.” –Vance T. (Vance)
“At the beginning of the second third, a crisp mineral note joins the leather on the retrohale. The draw is still predominantly toast, coffee, and just a hint of earth. That’s some good tobacco right there! And the wavy burn line has almost completely corrected itself now requiring no more maintenance.” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)
Final Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Getting into the final third of the cigar, some pepper arrives are really wakes up the palate, taking the cigar solidly into medium territory in both strength and body. The sweetness fades slightly, and the bread dough note actually shines through as dominant. The lemon zest is still there and sits on the sides of the tongue, taking the cigar into more of a sour profile for the finish. It has been a pretty interesting cigar thus far and is finishing well. The draw has been great and burns flawless since the start.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
“As this cigar neared the final third, the spice cranked up a notch along with the strength. Still not quite medium-full but very close. Cedar and earth with a hint of nut and citrus. This little gem has turned into a pretty complex cigar. I like it…. a lot.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
Overall Impressions – Casdagli Cabinet Selection Romano
Draw: 94
“This has had a damn near perfect draw from start to finish.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
Burn: 91
“While the cigar experienced a wavy burn line in the first third that required 3 touch-ups, the issue resolved itself for the remainder of the smoking experience.” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)
Construction: 90
“Aside from the color variation in the wrapper leaf, this little cigar seemed very well constructed. Great burn and draw and awesome flavor delivery. What more can you ask for.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 92
“This was a great little cigar. Nice transitions, and a flavor complexity kind of right in the middle. Not too simple, not overly complex. Burn and draw made for a fun enjoyment factor, and the flavors definitely leave you wanting there to be more to smoke when it is done. Mild-mannered, and no stronger than medium, this would be a good anytime cigar, especially if you are wanting to reach for something with some good flavors and don’t have a ton of time to sit and enjoy.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
“This little cigar surprised me with its interesting flavor transitions and its impressive rebound from a shaky start construction-wise. With a strong ash and bold distinct flavors, I’d definitely smoke this cigar again. And at the right price point, this would be a great choice for a 30-minute early morning cigar to pair with a great cup of coffee.” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)
“I have thoroughly enjoyed this little cigar. Nice flavors and solid construction were the norm. Smoke it slow though so it doesn’t overheat.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“Not great. Had a few brief moments of possibility but overall an unpleasant experience and not one I’ll be recommending or buying in the future.” –Vance T. (Vance)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 47
| Reviewer | Appear. | Aroma | 1/3 | 2/3 | 3/3 | Draw | Burn | Constr. | Overall Experience |
| Kevin A. | 87 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 95 | 95 | 92 | 90 |
| Matt Cade | 87 | 87 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 88 | 90 |
| James H. | 90 | 87 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 97 | 95 | 92 | 95 |
| Vance T. | 87 | 85 | 83 | 88 | 83 | 93 | 88 | 88 | 83 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.