The Caldwell Eastern Standard Cakewalk comes from the blend that helped introduce Robert Caldwell's unconventional approach to cigar making when Caldwell Cigar Co. launched in 2014. Eastern Standard was Caldwell's answer to smokers who liked the finesse of a Connecticut cigar but wanted considerably more tobacco underneath it. Its most interesting component is the proprietary wrapper, a hybrid incorporating Mata Fina Connecticut Shade and Brazilian Arapiraca, laid over aged Dominican Criollo '98 and Corojo Ligero with Nicaraguan Habano tobacco. The complexion may suggest a mild Connecticut, but the tobacco tells a much more interesting story.
At 6" x 50, the Cakewalk gives that blend a classic Toro canvas. Cream, cedar and a gentle sweetness from the wrapper lead the way, while the aged Dominican tobaccos bring toasted nuts, earth and a little pepper into the background. Corojo Ligero supplies enough weight to keep things interesting, and the Nicaraguan Habano adds another layer of spice without disturbing the cigar's naturally creamy disposition. Compared with the little 4 x 42 Manzanita, there's more room here for the filler tobaccos to develop, making the Cakewalk broader and more leisurely while still keeping plenty of wrapper in the equation.
This is the sort of cigar I'd recommend to someone who tells me Connecticut cigars are usually too mild for their taste. Eastern Standard has the polish and easygoing character associated with a lighter wrapper, but there's real tobacco underneath it. The Cakewalk's traditional 50-ring proportions show that contrast particularly well: smooth without being soft, flavorful without relying on strength, and complex enough to keep an experienced smoker interested for the duration. It's a very good example of what Caldwell does best—taking something familiar and quietly turning it sideways.
