Kangaroo495 Posted September 30, 2009 Posted September 30, 2009 Thought this might be an interesting read, as I'm sure we've all heard about this brand. Went to the cigar shop last night - needed a lighter and an igrometer (and some booze). Noticied the boys had stocked up on CAO. I've heard a LOT about this brand but had never seen it before. There was a wide choice of them - with Brazilian flags, Italian flags, US flags. Then there were some one with black labels. All of them were very dark. I decided to take the lightest of the lot - something going by the name of "CX2 Robusto" Cold aroma: nothing much to speak of. Slight sweet tobacco smell After cutting: same Pre-light draw: Very loose (pretty usual for NCs though) Aroma upon lighting: Nothing much to speak of 1st third: Half way through and... nothing! Just papery/carboardy flavour. Second half picked up. Got some sweetness and a bit of tang happening 2nd third: Sweetness and tang develop into quite a rich caramel (?), fruitiness possibly with some cinnamon. Holds this profile in a medium body. 3rd third: Same as above. Rather enjoyable. Bud suddenly it falls on it's arse completely. Back to paper and cardboard. Damn. Burn: Fairly bad surprisingly. Had to make several touch ups. Though I usually forgive CCs for this, so I will forgive this NC also. Can't be having double standards. Draw: Loose all the way through. Though I'm a light draw-er, so I wasn't overly affected. Price: $20 - pretty expensive for something which wasn't so great. Verdict: Dissapointed. Too pricy for a cigar which is only enjoyable for half of its length. The flavour had some nuiances but, overall, was quite uninteresting. Paper and cardboard should NOT be a flavour in any kind of cigar. Also, there was no development in flavour (which I guess I shouldn't be a criteria from NCs anyway). Score: 78 Compared to what I've smoked in the last few days: Monday: RASS - 75 - Poorly rolled. Far too loose even for me. I pass this off as an anomaly, as the last 4 I've had have been spectacular (all in the low-mid nineties). Sunday: Sancho Panza Belicoso - 94 - Brilliant, mezmorizing flavour. Great development. Savoury taste. Wanted to take a bite out of the damn thing Saturday: Partagas 898 - 87 - Great Partagas flavours, a bit on the mild side though. Overall impressions from the last few days: "Thank christ I'm a CC smoker!"
cigarros Posted September 30, 2009 Posted September 30, 2009 Overall impressions from the last few days: "Thank christ I'm a CC smoker!" Roger! Thanks for sharing! Good read! Agree with you
Ellery Posted September 30, 2009 Posted September 30, 2009 i smoked one of these couple of months back and thought it was rubbish. True to the CAO brand, all the money goes into their marketing
cigarros Posted September 30, 2009 Posted September 30, 2009 all the money goes into their marketing Especially on rent arenas for musicians and for playboys girlmate))
mkz Posted October 1, 2009 Posted October 1, 2009 Thanx for sharing! In my personal opinion: Cameroon cigars =
lemmycaution Posted October 1, 2009 Posted October 1, 2009 CAO put out those "Vision" cigars a couple years ago that came in light-up humidors with their own digital hygrometer for $15-$20. They all had individual serial numbers and fancy bands, but were junk. They have good marketing techniques that work in the U.S., unfortunately most of their cigars are nothing special.
tigger Posted October 2, 2009 Posted October 2, 2009 There was a time some years ago when the CAO Anniversary maduros were quite tasty. Then they changed whoever they contracted with to roll them, and everything I've had from them since has been a disappointment.
thechenman Posted October 2, 2009 Posted October 2, 2009 Thanks for the review Kanga. I had a very similar experience with the CX2 (Cameroon x2). Who knows...I was thinking that maybe their cigars get this paper/cardboard-like flavor from the boxes. CAO predominantly uses cardboard boxes rather than cedar for their cigars. I do have to say, that I have enjoyed the CAO Brazilia Gol and some LX2's, but the LX2's were inconsistent across vitolas. Toro was the best. Still...these cigars are far from Cubans in terms of complexity.
krs Posted October 7, 2009 Posted October 7, 2009 Had a CAO Brazilia Amazon the other night took me till the next day to get the nasty seaweed taste out of my mouth. very 1 dimensional, had enough after the 1/3rd
blooz4u Posted October 8, 2009 Posted October 8, 2009 Most CAO's aren't worth smoking, but I did try the new CAO "La Triviata" the other night, and it's probably the best cigar CAO has put out. ( Not to mention that it can be had stateside for about $5 / stick)
thechenman Posted October 8, 2009 Posted October 8, 2009 Had a CAO Brazilia Amazon the other night took me till the next day to get the nasty seaweed taste out of my mouth. very 1 dimensional, had enough after the 1/3rd I've never tried the Amazon...but have been through a few 5 packs of the Gol. Never had an issue with them...all were enjoyable.
Danashan Posted November 3, 2009 Posted November 3, 2009 I'm not a fan of CAO. They go with Gurkha for me - overpriced and overhyped. They usually go for $7-8 here (in shops), and, therefore, do not compete for me with Oliva/Padilla/DPG stuff. For $20 I would not even give it a look over!
demiurgic Posted November 3, 2009 Posted November 3, 2009 tried a lof of CAO (box of the one with the Italian Flag, MX2) All garbage. Stuff for the plants.
samb Posted November 3, 2009 Posted November 3, 2009 CAO does put a lot into their marketing, but I can say that they have a few cigars that are pretty tasty. Ive never had the Cx2, but the Mx2 (maduro version) was quite delicious at the last 3rd to say the least.
Erm310mce Posted November 4, 2009 Posted November 4, 2009 Thanks for the review, I agree, I have really tried to like CAO cigars. As an Italian American with my family from Avellino, I've really wanted to like the CAO Italia but it didn't do much for me. For half price of the one you reviewed, I'll stick with NCs like Padron and a Liga Privada #9, which has quickly become my new favorite NC. Erm
thechenman Posted November 4, 2009 Posted November 4, 2009 Thanks for the review,I agree, I have really tried to like CAO cigars. As an Italian American with my family from Avellino, I've really wanted to like the CAO Italia but it didn't do much for me. For half price of the one you reviewed, I'll stick with NCs like Padron and a Liga Privada #9, which has quickly become my new favorite NC. Erm I really enjoy the Liga Privada #9 as well. Purchased a box recently while in Orlando. I heart the T-52s are better. It's the #9, but kicked up a notch.
Erm310mce Posted November 4, 2009 Posted November 4, 2009 I really enjoy the Liga Privada #9 as well. Purchased a box recently while in Orlando. I heart the T-52s are better. It's the #9, but kicked up a notch. I heard the same about the T52s, I haven't been able to find any of them yet, hopefully the local B&Ms will start to get them in. If it's better then the #9s, we are in for a real treat!
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now