Cigar Extra: Yellow Cake by Caldwell Cigar Company

• Vitola: Petite Corona
• 4” x 44 ring gauge
• About 34,000 Iraqi Dinar
• Gifted by Robert Caldwell

Background

Yellow Cake dates back to the 1920s under that specific moniker, although it has more likely been around since very near the time people starting baking cakes. Yellowcake has been around for far less time, resulting in the mining of specific uranium ores along with specific processing requirements. Caldwell Yellow Cake came out in 2014 as an “event only” cigar. Basically, buy a box of any Caldwell products at an event, and you will get a 3-pack of Yellow Cake.

The cigars themselves are what I heard referred to as “chop”…basically the leavings after making a cigar, trimming the different tobaccos from either the wrapper or the bits that are chopped from the end of the rough stick to make it fit a specific vitola length. In this instance, it uses fillers left over from Caldwell’s Eastern Standard and The King is Dead lines, while using the same Dominican Corojo leaf that is used on Long Live the King. (halfwheel)

Glynn Segars was going to bring me some Yellow Cake to the Chattanooga Tweet-Up but he ended up not being able to make it because of a death in the family. I expected not to see any at all, but the assisting rep that Glynn sent in his place brought a few along, as did Robert Caldwell. I got to take home some and decided it would be good to share the experience, if not the cigars.

Notes

The wrapper of the Yellow Cake was sweet and fragrant, while the foot had a slightly bready note. The wrapper must be extra delicate, because all three samples I have smoked have sustained some damage when I cut the cap.

Nevertheless, I lit it up and it sprang to life with notes of honey, graham cracker, and a touch of earthiness.

The Yellow Cake smoked along smooth and sweet, pairing well with the Bowman Brother Bourbon I poured to go along with it.

I rate this as a medium-bodied smoke and was impressed by the amount of flavor it delivered from end to end.

Since this is only available at events, only in limited quantities and only if you buy a box, my advice is to do your homework. Find an event near you. Discover what blend you would like to own a box of…then buy it. You’ll enjoy the cigars you buy and you’ll get the rare treat of some Yellow Cake to go along with them.