IPCPR 2016: Caldwell Cigars

Robert Caldwell rolled out a new booth this year that was designed by a team of Los Angeles-based artists and made out of a mixture of crates, pallets and other similar materials. The result was far from just reclaimed materials however, and created a space full of display areas with mirrored ends of the booth giving people two chances to see the full offerings from Caldwell and La Barba Cigar Co., which the former distributes.

In addition, there was a healthy amount of art throughout the booth that at times made it feel as much gallery as cigar display. Caldwell noted that he expects the booth to last for a few years, and when it’s ready to retire, it will be dismantled on the final day of the trade show with pieces of it going to Caldwell retailers for their use and display.

While upcoming FDA regulations have been felt in a number of ways, Caldwell seems to be manifesting his concerns by not disclosing much—if any—of the blend information of his new cigars. He spoke about the measures the company has been taking for more than a year to be in a good position to address the coming requirements, and gave the impression that he’s in a good spot to make it through the upcoming turbulent years of getting approval. He did note that he plans on removing all blend cards and notes from boxes in the very near future, so look for that change before long.

All Out Kings

One of several collaborative projects announced across the show floor this year, the cigars didn’t show up in the Caldwell booth until Wednesday afternoon when I happened to be talking with Caldwell, and when they did it was in boxes that won’t be what ends up on shelves but rather featured various sayings and signatures scrawled on by Jonathan Drew, Willy Herrera and Caldwell. While these are made at Drew Estate, Caldwell will be distributing.

• Wrapper: Connecticut Habano
• Binder: Indonesian Sumatra
• Filler: Connecticut Broadleaf Ligero, Dominican Corojo 97 Seco, Nicaragua Estelí Viso, Nicaragua Jalapa viso

• All Out Kings Foreverlast (6 1/2 x 54) — $14.80 (Box of 20, $296)
• All Out Kings Gimme Your Lunch Money (5 3/4 x 46) — $12.80 (Box of 20, $256)
• All Out Kings Smash (5 x 52) — $13.80 (Box of 20, $276)
• All Out Kings The Fourth Pose (6 x 54 Torpedo) — $15.80 (Box of 20, $316)

Launch Date: Immediately following the show.

Production: n/a

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Anastasia

While there were some boxes displayed high up on shelves, the cigar itself wasn’t on display or the price sheet, as Caldwell said it’s being limited to just 35 stores. It’s a collaborative project with Ernesto Perez-Carrillo that is made at Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. It’s billed as the follow-up to The Last Tsar, with an image of Princess Anastasia, daughter of Nicolas II, the Tsar of Russia depicted on the

• Wrapper: n/a
• Binder: n/a
• Filler: n/a

• Anastasia Caspia (5 3/4 x 43) — $12.50 (Box of 20, $250)
• Anastasia Kartel (5 x 49) — $13.30 (Box of 20, $266)
• Anastasia Mercure (7 x 47) — $14 (Box of 20, $280)
• Anastasia Opera (6 x 52) — $14.70 (Box of 20, $294)

Launch Date: Currently shipping

Production: n/a

Blind Man’s Bluff Connecticut

A Connecticut wrapped version of the Blind Man’s Bluff blend, which was originally released last year and used an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.

• Wrapper: Connecticut
• Binder: Honduras
• Filler: Dominican Republic & Honduras

• Blind Man’s Bluff Connecticut Corona (5 3/4 x 44) — $6.90 (Box of 20, $138)
• Blind Man’s Bluff Connecticut Churchill (7 x 48) — $9.90 (Box of 20, $198)
• Blind Man’s Bluff Connecticut Magnum (6 x 60) — $9.90 (Box of 20, $198)
• Blind Man’s Bluff Connecticut Robusto (5 x 50) — $7.90 (Box of 20, $158)
• Blind Man’s Bluff Connecticut Toro (6 x 52) — $8.90 (Box of 20, $178)

Launch Date: Shortly after the trade show concludes

Production: n/a

Eastern Standard Dos Firmas

Also known as the Caldwell Signature, this project originates out of Tabacalera William Ventura and is created by Caldwell and Ventura, with both of their signatures adorning each box. Caldwell said the blend has been around for some 20 years in Ventura’s operation, with the factory owner giving it to him to bring to market via this project, which is the company’s first premium Connecticut offering.

• Wrapper: Connecticut
• Binder: n/a
• Filler: n/a

• Eastern Standard Dos Firmas Caldwell Signature 46 x 4 7/8 (4 7/8 x 46) — $9.60 (Box of 20, $192)
• Eastern Standard Dos Firmas Caldwell Signature 52 x 4 3/4 (4 3/4 x 52) — $10.40 (Box of 20, $208)
• Eastern Standard Dos Firmas Caldwell Signature Culebra (6 x 30) — $15 (Box of 7, $105)
• Eastern Standard Dos Firmas Caldwell Signature Piramide con Cabezas (5 1/8 x 50) — $11 (Box of 20, $220)

Launch Date: Began shipping during the trade show

Production: n/a

Eastern Standard Midnight Express

Otherwise known as the Eastern Standard Maduro, it uses a maduro wrapper in place of the Ecuadorian Connecticut-seed used by the original Eastern Standard. It’s the first maduro in the line, and while Caldwell has previously said he wasn’t a fan of maduro in general, there have been requests for a premium maduro offering and this helps fulfill that and round out his portfolio. Apologies for the lack of a photo.

• Wrapper: Connecticut Arapiraca Maduro
• Binder: Dominican Habano
• Filler: Dominican Criollo 98, Dominican Corojo Ligero, Nicaraguan Habano Seco

• Eastern Standard Midnight Express Corona (5 3/8 x 46) — $10 (Box of 20, $200)
• Eastern Standard Midnight Express Piramide (6 x 50) — $13.80 (Box of 20, $276)
• Eastern Standard Midnight Express Robusto (5 x 50) — $11.20 (Box of 20, $224)
• Eastern Standard Midnight Express Toro (6 x 52) — $12.60 (Box of 20, $252)

Launch Date: Began shipping during the trade show.

Production: n/a

King is Dead Toro

A new size in the King is Dead line, it becomes the thickest ring gauge in the line, though two sizes are longer.

• King is Dead Toro (6 x 54) — $10.50 (Box of 24, $252)

Launch Date: Immediately following the show.

Production: Regular production

Savages

This new line is an extension to Long Live the King and only available to existing Caldwell accounts—and only on the first day of the show–so if your local retailer wasn’t carrying Caldwell before the show, don’t expect them to have Savages after the show. The entire allotment sold out on day one. It too is made at Tabacalera William Ventura in the Dominican Republic, with Italian artist Pixel Pancho contributing the visuals. While other reports listed this as a single vitola release, there were five sizes listed on the price sheet and displayed in the booth.

• Wrapper: Habano
• Binder: n/a
• Filler: n/a

• Savages Corona Extra (6 x 46) — $11 (Box of 10, $110)
• Savages Corona Larga (8 x 45) — $15 (Box of 10, $150)
• Savages Piramide (6 x 50) — $14 (Box of 10, $140)
• Savages Super Rothschild (4 3/4 x 52) — $12 (Box of 10, $120)
• Savages Toro (6 x 54) — $13 (Box of 10, $130)

Launch Date: Shortly after the show

Production: n/a

Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, the G-League's Valley Suns, and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.