CAO America

CAO America

• Dark Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro and lighter Connecticut Shade Capa wrapper leaves.
• Longfiller Ligero tobaccos from Nicaragua, Italy, USA, and Dominican Republic.
• Bound in Brazilian Leaf.
• Seven months in personal humi.
• Solid build, although a bit veiny.
• Dry draw was easy with hints of leather.

1st Third: First noticed the ease of the draw. Very characteristic of other CAO cigars I have smoked in the past. As the cigar progressed in burn, I noticed the very white ash it produced with a nice even burn. The taste profile during this third of the cigar was dominated by nuts and leather. Small hints of coffee were in and out but i really had to pay attention to catch the those notes. Thus far this cigar has remained relatively smooth and enjoyable. The construction of the cigar has remained in tact. I was curious as to whether or not the two wrappers would become uncoiled during the smoke.

2nd Third: During the beginning of this third the ash fell off. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the construction still remained in tact and strong throughout. The double banded, barber pole wrapper never showed a single hint of separating. The ash maintained that bright white color and the burn remained very even. During this third, the flavor remained consistent. Nuts and leather dominated while hints of coffee and earth danced in and out. However, I did notice a tiny bit of spice now and then but not even close to the level of the coffee and earth flavors that intertwined with the nuts and leather.

Last Third: For the most part the flavors remained consistent, however, a slight pepper and a heavier coffee note did arise towards the end of the smoke. The dual wrapper construction remained strong until the end along with the even burn.

Final Thoughts:  Although advertised as a full body cigar in some circles, this is definitely a solid medium bodied cigar. Overall not very complex but gives you a consistent dose of a nutty and leather flavors. The hints of coffee were pleasant but the hints of spice now and then just felt out of place. This cigar was slightly creamy but not to the level of the Rocky Patel Edge Candela I reviewed last. I was impressed with the construction and burn, but, did find myself wanting thicker smoke billowing from my cigar. I think this is a slightly above average cigar, not great or elite. It just can't compete with those higher end stogies. For my pallet I rate this cigar a 6/10. Would I smoke this cigar again? Maybe, but i wouldn't buy a box.