Eastern Standard Cream Crush by Caldwell Cigar Company

Wrapper: Connecticut Hybrid Ecuadoriano (2006)
Binder: Habana Dominicano (2005)
Filler: Criollo ’98 Viso Dominicano 30% (2008), Corojo Dominicano Ligero 30% (2006) Habano Seco Nicaraguense 40% (2007)
Cream Crush: 7 x 48 (Churchill)
Price: $11.00

This cigar was assessed in depth on Cigar Coop.

Eastern Standard is one of three cigars in Caldwell Cigar Company’s “Caldwell Collection”. Caldwell Cigar Company was launched by Robert Caldwell some seven months after his departure from Wynwood Cigars.

The Eastern Standard features a unique Connecticut Hybrid Ecuadoriano wrapper is what is known as “Dark Connecticut”. There is no doubt this is a darker Connecticut Shade wrapper. In fact it really is more of a natural color to it. It is actually a hybrid of Connecticut Shade and Brazilian Mata Fina.

While this cigar delivers traditional Connecticut Shade flavors of cream, wood, pepper, and cedar, there are some unique notes of lemon and even a subtle chestnut note that really makes this cigar stand out. A lot of Connecticut Shade cigars claim to be different, but the way these flavors mesh together is like nothing I ever had before.

The notes are a bit bolder for a Connecticut Shade – medium-bodied for the first half and medium to full-bodied in the second half. The strength is mild to medium before progressing to medium by the start of the second third. There are lot of flavor transitions and nuances giving this cigar some nice complexity. The construction is stellar.

Overall a great release, and box worthy in my book.