Today I would like to talk about a new cigar company, Tabacalera Caballeros which was launched with the introduction of 3 cigar blends, Maduro, Habano, and Connecticut. Each blend is offered in three popular vitolas, each packaged in 25-count boxes:
- Robusto (5 x 52) – MSRP $7.00
- Toro (6 x 54) – MSRP $8.00
- Gordo (6 x 60) – MSRP $10.00
Tabacalera Caballeros was founded in 2022 by two cigar enthusiasts – Cristian Quintana, a fourth generation Cigar enthusiast, and Marco Accardi who smoked his first cigar at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and was instantly hooked! Together, they have over 50 combined years of experience in the industry. Their goal was to produce the best quality cigar in the city, and take it global. You can read more about them on the company’s website.
The name Tabacalera Caballeros pays homage to the city of Santiago de los Caballeros’ which was founded in 1495 during the first wave of European settlement in the New World, the city is the “first Santiago of the Americas”. Today it is one of the Dominican Republic’s cultural, political, industrial and financial centers. Due to its location in the fertile Cibao Valley it has a robust agricultural sector and is a leading exporter of rum, textiles, and cigars. Santiago is known as “La Ciudad Corazón”.
For this review, I sampled the Tabacalera Caballeros Connecticut Toro which has a blend described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Connecticut
- Binder – Sumatra
- Filler – Undisclosed
The company’s cigars are handcrafted at their own factory, Tabacalera Caballeros in Tamboril, Dominican Republic.
Pre-Light Examination
The Tabacalera Caballeros Connecticut is cloaked in a smooth medium tan wrapper that exhibits a few veins. The wrapper feels smooth to the touch. A gentle press between the fingers, shows that it has a decent packing. A well applied simple cap finishes the construction.
A single band adorns the cigar using a gold, black, red, and white motif. The company’s logo is proudly displayed in the center with the blend “CONNECTICUT” printed in white below. The band is rimmed in gold on the top and bottom.
Running the cigar along the nose I was greeted with a pungent aroma along the barrel while foot exudes earthiness, citrus, and spice.
Using my CigarMedics Baller cutter, I opened the cap perfectly and gave it some cold draw puffs that was spot on with restriction while imparting a similar level of earthiness and a touch of black pepper.
I used a cedar spill to warm the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of sweet and fruity notes. Follow along as burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Right off the first puff there is pleasant fruity note that graces the palate
- Natural sweetness quickly joins the profile
- An enticing nut aroma wafts off the foot
- Peppery spice begins to evolve, especially on the retrohale
- A light grey ash forms on top of wavy thin char line
- Sweet cinnamon spice joins the mix deep in the first third
- The ash fell in nice chunk with a decent centered burn cone
- Aroma shifts to a toasted cracker note
- Cream notes add the profile wrapping a developing mouthwatering citrus note deep in the second third
- Moving into the final there is an added raisin component
- Mild to Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 45 minutes
Final Analysis
Upon the very first puff, the Tabacalera Caballeros Connecticut offers a delightful burst of fruity notes that immediately grace the palate, setting the tone for an exquisite experience. The natural sweetness swiftly complements this profile, enhancing the overall enjoyment. The foot emits an alluring nutty aroma, enticing the senses with its captivating fragrance. As the smoking experience progresses, a delightful evolution takes place, with peppery spices coming to the forefront, especially noticeable on the retrohale.
As the journey progresses, a delightful addition of sweet cinnamon spice joins the mix, adding depth and complexity to the flavor profile during the first third. Transitioning to the next phase, the aroma transforms into a delightful, toasted cracker note, further enhancing the sensory experience. Creamy nuances gradually weave into the profile, enveloping a mouthwatering citrus note that develops deeply within the second third. As the cigar nears its conclusion, a delightful raisin component comes into play, bringing a final touch of sophistication to this already outstanding smoking journey. I feel this is a box buy cigar and is a one of those very pleasurable Connecticut blends that any cigar enthusiast will find satisfying especially in the morning or perhaps the last cigar of the day. I rate it a 94.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Wave in Burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Box Buy
