Caldwell Blind Man’s Bluff Connecticut Cigar Review

The US Presidential election is past us now, and even though Robert Caldwell ran a hard-fought campaign with his #caldwell4prez social media press, he just couldn’t surpass the surge of the two major candidates. Of course that did not stop Robert from releasing another new blend for his Caldwell Cigars line. This time it is a blonde version of the Blind Man’s Bluff.

The company released the Blind Man’s Bluff Connecticut back in March of this year and I finally got my hands on the Corona vitola of this exciting blend, thanks to my Stogie Press colleague Alton Otto.

The Caldwell Blind Man’s Bluff Connecticut is essentially the same blend as the original except it has an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. The full blend is described as:

• Wrapper – Ecuadorian Connecticut
• Binder –  Honduran
• Filler – Honduran, Dominican

Caldwell is producing these gems at Agroindustrias Laepe S.A. in Danli, Honduras. They are available in 5 vitolas and come packaged in 20-count boxes.

• Corona (5 3/4 x 44) — MSRP $6.90
• Churchill (7 x 48) — MSRP $9.90
• Magnum (6 x 60) — MSRP $9.90
• Robusto (5 x 50) — MSRP $7.90
• Toro (6 x 52) —MSRP  $8.90

Pre-Light Examination

The Blind Man’s Bluff Connecticut is a stunning cigar to look at. It has a golden brown, silky smooth wrapper and expertly applied triple cap. There is not much aroma off the barrel but the foot exudes notes of sweet hay and nut. The cigar is adorned with a lighter band than the original but keeping with the same motif in design. The side of the band reminds us “We Own the Night”. Yes we do Robert, even if you didn’t get elected Prez.

The cigar is solid in the hand. Slicing the cap and running it through the Stogie Press “palm test” I detect no leaks from the seams. Moving onto the cold draw it has a non-restrictive draw with notes of pepper and fruit.

So far so good. It is time to fire it up and turn it to ash. As noted I sampled the Blind Man’s Bluff Connecticut Corona for this review which was gifted to me by my friend Alton Otto.

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Cigar Review Notes

• Big shots of white pepper on the initial puffs
• Pepper maintains on the nasal through a good half-inch of burn
• Floral and butternut is trying to push through
• Solid whitish grey ash is forming on a medium char line
• Pepper recedes finally and the butter moves starts to move to the core
• Smoke volume is full
• Toasty bread enters after first third
• This is an amazingly toned down Connecticut blend –  no bite at all
• Ash held fairly well through the first third
• Burn cone was slightly raised and centered
• Sweetness evolves in the second third
• Cinnamon spice aroma
• Solid med strength so far
• It is a slow burner which I like in corona
• Cedar notes build near the midway
• Flavor shifts to more of a fruit with a long finish as it moves through the second third 
• Dry leather background plays on the palate
• Flavors are blending well
• Wrapper is getting a fine sheen just south of the band
• Sweetness wraps the flavors so well it is hard to grasp this is a Connecticut
• Spice builds into the final
• Finishes medium to full
• Total Smoking Time was right around one hour.

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.