Casdagli Equestrienne Oxford Exclusive L.E.

Casdagli Equestrienne Oxford Exclusive L.E.

The creation of this Oxford Exclusive represents a remarkable collaboration between Lucas Da Silva and Jeremy Casdagli, marking Casdagli’s first venture into retail exclusives with one of America’s premier cigar merchants. Having visited the IGM factory in Costa Rica’s Puriscal mountains, the terroir at 3,000 feet elevation creates unique conditions for tobacco cultivation that José González Ferrer, the Cuban agricultural engineer behind these blends, masterfully exploits. The Equestrienne showcases the rare Dominican Caramelo tobacco that originally appeared in test blends scoring near-perfect ratings, now carefully proportioned to balance its distinctive salted caramel character with broader complexity.

• Classic 7″ x 38 lancero format channels the elegance of Trinidad Cuban heritage
• Features rare Dominican Caramelo tobacco providing distinctive salted caramel and coffee notes
• Peruvian Pinar filler adds unique floral sweetness and aromatic complexity
• Costa Rican Puriscal binder from IGM’s mountain-grown estates ensures structural excellence
• Ecuadorian Habano wrapper contributes cream, cedar, and refined white pepper characteristics
• Aged since Christmas 2022, allowing exceptional tobacco marriage and smoothness
• Never-to-be-repeated limited production exclusively for Oxford Cigar Company members

The engineering challenges of crafting lanceros at IGM’s boutique facility showcase the factory’s Cuban heritage expertise. The 38 ring gauge demands precise bunching techniques to ensure proper draw while maintaining the delicate balance required for this format. The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, displaying a milk chocolate coloration with pronounced oil content, stretches smoothly over the narrow gauge without visible stress marks. This wrapper selection brings refinement to the blend, tempering the intensity of the Dominican Caramelo while allowing its unique character to shine through. The two-plus years of aging since production has created exceptional integration, with multiple reviewers noting the seamless transitions between flavor phases.

The tobacco composition tells a story of innovation within the Daughters of the Wind line. Dominican Caramelo, the star component, originated from experimental plots in the Dominican Republic and earned its name from the distinctive salted caramel notes it produces. This tobacco proved so exceptional in test blends that it scored 99 points from experienced reviewers, though its rarity and cost initially prevented regular production. Peruvian Pinar contributes complementary sweetness with floral undertones rarely found in Central American or Caribbean tobaccos. The Costa Rican Puriscal binder, grown at IGM’s high-altitude farms, provides the structural integrity essential for lancero construction while adding subtle earth and mineral notes unique to the volcanic soil.

Smoking dynamics evolve gracefully through the experience. Multiple reviewers note unexpected citrus and bergamot characteristics, with one describing “sour spikes” reminiscent of lemon that appear and recede throughout the smoke. The primary profile delivers cream, coffee, and the signature salted caramel sweetness, balanced by cedar and white pepper that prevent the blend from becoming cloying. Construction quality consistently earns praise, with draw resistance compared favorably to Padron’s legendary standards. The medium to medium-plus body maintains perfect balance, never overwhelming despite the concentrated format. Reviewers particularly note the smoked almond finish and dark caramel sweetness that persists throughout, creating what many describe as a dessert-like quality without sacrificing complexity.

Summary

• Box Count: 10 (Oxford Premier Members) or singles
• Region: Costa Rica
• Strength: Medium to Medium-Plus
• Binder: Costa Rican Puriscal
• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
• Filler: Dominican (Caramelo), Peru (Pinar)

What makes Dominican Caramelo tobacco so special?

Dominican Caramelo represents one of the rarest tobaccos in modern production, originally developed as an experimental varietal that produces distinctive salted caramel notes. Test blends using pure Caramelo scored 99 points from experienced reviewers, though cost and scarcity prevented regular production. In the Equestrienne, it’s carefully proportioned to deliver its signature sweetness while maintaining balance with other components.

Why was this made exclusively for Oxford Cigar Company?

Lucas Da Silva, Oxford’s founder, collaborated directly with Jeremy Casdagli to create a blend specifically for Oxford Premier Members. The partnership represents Casdagli’s first American retail exclusive, with production limited to a single batch aged since Christmas 2022. This exclusivity ensures members receive a unique expression unavailable through any other channel.

How does IGM’s Costa Rican production differ from Kelner’s Dominican factory?

IGM operates as a boutique facility in Costa Rica’s Puriscal mountains at 3,000 feet elevation, creating unique growing conditions for their estate tobaccos. Under José González Ferrer’s Cuban agricultural expertise, IGM specializes in rare varietals and experimental blends. While Kelner focuses on traditional Dominican profiles, IGM explores unconventional tobacco combinations like the Caramelo and Pinar used in this blend.

What unexpected flavors do reviewers report?

Multiple reviewers note surprising citrus characteristics, with one describing bergamot and lemon-like sourness that spikes and recedes throughout the smoke. Others report floral notes hiding within the cream and coffee base, creating complexity beyond typical lancero profiles. The combination of salted caramel sweetness with these bright acidic notes creates a unique sweet-and-sour interplay rarely found in premium cigars.

How does the aging since 2022 affect the smoking experience?

The two-plus years of aging has created exceptional tobacco marriage, with reviewers noting seamless transitions between flavor phases. The extended rest period has mellowed any harshness from the Peruvian Pinar while preserving the Dominican Caramelo’s distinctive character. This aging contributes to the smooth, creamy texture multiple reviewers praise, with one comparing construction quality to Padron’s standards.

Is this suitable for lancero newcomers?

Despite the challenging 38 ring gauge, multiple reviewers recommend this as an ideal introduction to lanceros. The excellent construction ensures proper draw without the tightness common in poorly made lanceros. The medium strength and creamy, sweet profile make it approachable, while the evolving complexity keeps experienced smokers engaged. One reviewer specifically notes it as their first lancero, which “made an impression.”

What makes this different from other Daughters of the Wind releases?

While sharing the IGM factory and some tobacco components with the regular Daughters of the Wind line, the Equestrienne features a unique proportion of Dominican Caramelo specifically balanced for the lancero format. The extended aging and Oxford-exclusive status create a distinct expression, with reviewers noting it as milder yet more complex than the Grand Café lancero, with pronounced vanilla, walnut, and cinnamon notes.

Why won’t this blend be produced again?

The limited availability of Dominican Caramelo tobacco and the specific aging requirements make reproduction impossible. Jeremy Casdagli confirmed this as a one-time production, with the entire batch allocated to Oxford Cigar Company. Once current inventory sells through, this exact blend with this specific aging will never be available again, making each cigar part of cigar history as described by Oxford.