Lost And Found 22 Minutes to Midnight 11:38 Maduro Robusto
📌 Brand: Caldwell / Lost & Found
📌 Line: 22 Minutes to Midnight – 11:38 Maduro
📌 Size: Robusto (5" × 50)
📌 Weight: 16.6 g
📌 Age: 3 years
📌 Origin: Dominican Republic
Tasting Notes
Dark Chocolate – Rich, oily core
Espresso – Deep roasted bitterness
Black Pepper – Medium-full spice throughout
Molasses – Slight sweetness underneath the darker notes
First Impressions
The 11:38 Maduro Robusto comes with a dark San Andrés look a like wrapper and a clean, understated presentation typical of the newer Lost & Found releases. The cigar feels well packed with a slightly firm bunch. Pre-light aroma reveals cocoa, espresso, earth, and molasses sweetness. Cold draw is balanced and flavorful.
Smoking Experience
First Third – Opens rich and dark with chocolate, espresso, and pepper immediately leading the profile. Smoke output is thick and satisfying.
Second Third – Molasses sweetness and earth begin to appear, adding depth and balance. Burn starts to drift slightly and requires a correction.
Final Third – The cigar stays flavorful and medium-full, though a relight is needed to maintain combustion. Flavor remains enjoyable despite the interruption.
Pairings
Alcohol – Flor de Caña 18 Year Rum (Nicaragua) - Dark caramel, oak, and spice perfectly complement the cigar’s espresso and molasses notes.
Tea – Aged Shou Pu-erh Tea - Earthy depth and smooth body match the cigar’s darker maduro profile beautifully.
Music Pairing
“Black Hole Sun” – Soundgarden
Dark, rich, and slightly hypnotic, matching the cigar’s deep maduro tones.
Final Thoughts
Caldwell 22 Minutes to Midnight 11:38 Maduro Robusto delivers rich chocolate, espresso, and earthy depth with a satisfying medium-full profile. A relight and burn correction slightly interrupt what is otherwise a very enjoyable and flavorful smoke.
Final Score: 8/10
Why not a 10?
Burn instability requiring a correction and relight reduced the cigar’s overall refinement.
Only cigars that deliver flawless draw, balance, flavour evolution, construction and satisfaction get a 10.