Cigar Reveal #358

Caldwell
Blind Man’s Bluff Connecticut

When Robert Caldwell established his cigar company in 2014, he made a name for himself with unusual tobaccos, unconventional artwork, and cigars that rarely looked or tasted quite like anything else on the shelf. His early releases, including The King Is Dead and Long Live the King, were produced in the Dominican Republic in collaboration with the Ventura family. But in 2015, Caldwell took a different direction with Blind Man's Bluff, a more accessible cigar manufactured at Agroindustrias Laepe in Danlí, Honduras, the same factory responsible for Camacho cigars. The original blend combined an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with Honduran Criollo and Dominican San Vicente tobaccos. It was an attempt to reach a broader audience without entirely abandoning Caldwell's preference for unconventional blends. 

The Blind Man's Bluff Connecticut followed in March 2017, replacing the original Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with a lighter Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade leaf while leaving the binder and filler essentially unchanged. That distinction is important. Rather than creating a new cigar from the ground up, Caldwell used the same combination of Honduran and Dominican tobaccos to demonstrate how dramatically a wrapper can change the character of a blend. The Dominican component includes San Vicente, a hybrid tobacco developed in the Dominican Republic and prized for its distinctive aromatic qualities. Beneath the Connecticut wrapper, the heavier Honduran tobaccos remain, but their influence is softened by the creamier, more delicate character of the outer leaf. For a company known for making unusual cigars, Blind Man's Bluff Connecticut is a relatively straightforward experiment, and an interesting reminder that sometimes the most consequential change to a cigar is the one made on the outside.


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Blind Man’s Bluff Connecticut
Anatomy

  • Dominican San Vicente
    Honduras
  • Honduran Criollo

  • Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade

Blind Man’s Bluff Connecticut
Flavor Notes

First Third

Cedar

Cream

Vanilla

Cedar

Cream

Vanilla

Second Third

Black Pepper

Roasted Nuts

Leather

Black Pepper

Roasted Nuts

Leather

Final Third

Caramel

Baking Spice

Hay

Caramel

Baking Spice

Hay

Reviews + Notes

Halfwheel

I think I’m beginning to develop an affinity for a nice, Connecticut wrapped cigar. It’s not as if I’ve avoided them in the past, but I did find myself somewhat excited to try the Blind Man’s Bluff Connecticut release, something I can’t remember always being the case with Connecticuts. Thankfully, the cigar not only had impressive construction that allowed me to enjoy it without having to micromanage the burn, but produced an enjoyable, balanced and rich profile that had some really nice complementary flavors. I’m looking forward to trying some of the other sizes in the line, specifically the Corona and Churchill, but as for the Robusto, it’s an easy suggestion to seek out and try for yourself.

Score: 92 points

Stogie Press

Overall, the Caldwell Blind Man’s Bluff Connecticut was a surprisingly flavorful cigar. Of course I would expect nothing less from Robert Caldwell, as he always seems to search out and find some of the best leaf on the market. The Blind Man’s Bluff Connecticut was no exception as it delivered a pristine burn and consistent sweetness, fruit, and spice flavor with occasional bursts of subtle palate pleasing notes and aromas. It was a bit of a wolf in sheep clothing as the strength crept up on me as it moved through the second half. First cigar of  the day and it lit me up before breakfast. Remember folks, the wrapper is not a sign of strength.

Blind Man's Puff

Something sweet, something spicy, mama this was a tasty cigar. Abet nothing terribly complex, this was a cigar I’d keep on hand for days I feel like something to punch me in the face with flavor. Sweet hay like aroma with a red and black peppery finish had me drooling over this one.

Score: 91 points