Caldwell’s Eastern Standard Maduro Shown Off Before July Release

The Caldwell Eastern Standard Maduro is set to be released at this summer’s IPCPR Convention & Trade Show in July, but one size has already arrived at a retailer.

Last Friday, Anthony’s Cigar Emporium of Tucson, Ariz. hosted an event that featured soft packs of the Eastern Standard Maduro Midnight Express (6 x 49). The bundles describe the belicoso-shaped cigar as a “PRE PRE RELEASE,” albeit Anthony’s has started to sell some of the remaining cigars.

Robert Caldwell told halfwheel the company brought around 400 cigars to the event for a tasting, but this won’t be the last time you see the Midnight Express size before the trade show.

The company is planning a more formal soft launch with the Midnight Express size through select retailers in around “six weeks.” That release will come in five-count boxes, instead of bundles.

When the line fully launches this summer, three additional sizes are expected: Corona (5 3/4 x 44), Rothchilde (4 3/4 x 49) and Toro Gordo (6 x 50)

The Eastern Standard Maduro uses the same hybrid Connecticut Arapiraca wrapper found on the Last Tsar, but at a lower priming.

Anthony’s has priced the Midnight Express at $72.50 per five-pack or $14.50 per cigar. Caldwell confirmed the Maduro will cost a bit more than the regular line.