CAO American

Domer · 10-24-2008, 10:39 PM

I was gifted this cigar by a friend over the summer. It has been in my humidor ever since. The cigar was almost too pretty to smoke. I loved the understated double wrapper look, which was mostly maduro with a thin striping of connecticut shade wrapper. Also the bands, one at the foot are great looking as I believe most CAO's bands are. I believe this was a Potomac, it was about robusto size perhaps a bit longer. I don't think it qualified as a toro though.

The cigar started with cream buttery profile quickly becoming earthy. Most of the cigar had a spicy note, with possibly a bit of nuttiness. The burn was razor sharp despite a poor light job as the lighter ran out of fuel. I finally had to ash at the half way point because I inadvertently let the cigar go out as I was fixing another drink and when I returned I had to relight it. However it showed potential to have a very long ash. After the relight the peppery spice from before became a bit more like cinnamon in my opinion and there was more nuttiness.

Overall the cigar was enjoyable, occasionally however I got a bit of harshness on the back of the throat. If the price on these is right (read: same range as Italias and Brazilias) I would buy again. For me this would not be a regular everyday smoke, but I would have to be in the mood for it. I would like to try a smaller rg of the American to see how the flavors differ. I have found myself moving away from larger rg and perhaps I would more enjoy a corona size American. All in all a good smoke.

Construction: 10/10
Taste: 7/10
Value: it was free to me

so I guess 10/10

md4958 · 10-24-2008, 10:44 PM

nice review... ive got a couple of these in my humi that were passed to me... gotta light one up soon.

webjunkie · 10-24-2008, 10:57 PM

These definitely benefit from resting. I had a fresh one last year and was not impressed at all. Let a second rest for several months and it was a vast improvement, but still not my cup of tea.

Scottw · 10-24-2008, 11:07 PM

Nice revew,cold you taste the flavor profile between the two wrappers?

Domer · 10-24-2008, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottw

Nice revew,cold you taste the flavor profile between the two wrappers?

You know I was wondering about this before I smoked the American as it was my first double wrapped cigar. I always read that wrapper has little to no affect on flavor, so I guess filler is the main flavoring agent. Overall the cigar had more of a maduro profile with the nuttiness and cinnamon, but some elements of the spice reminded me of natural wrapped cigars.

I'd be interested to hear others' thoughts. I guess I will see out more barberpole wrapped cigars. I would love to find a between the lines as I have read rave reviews. Any body have any other suggestions for a dual wrapped cigar that is easy to find? Maybe I'll have to pull the trigger on some Taboo Twists I've read so much about.

shvictor · 10-25-2008, 01:31 AM

Nice review...I love that cigar

10-24-2008, 10:39 PM	#1
Domer Just living the dream Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Derek Location: Delco Posts: 170 Trading: (4)	CAO American I was gifted this cigar by a friend over the summer. It has been in my humidor ever since. The cigar was almost too pretty to smoke. I loved the understated double wrapper look, which was mostly maduro with a thin striping of connecticut shade wrapper. Also the bands, one at the foot are great looking as I believe most CAO's bands are. I believe this was a Potomac, it was about robusto size perhaps a bit longer. I don't think it qualified as a toro though. The cigar started with cream buttery profile quickly becoming earthy. Most of the cigar had a spicy note, with possibly a bit of nuttiness. The burn was razor sharp despite a poor light job as the lighter ran out of fuel. I finally had to ash at the half way point because I inadvertently let the cigar go out as I was fixing another drink and when I returned I had to relight it. However it showed potential to have a very long ash. After the relight the peppery spice from before became a bit more like cinnamon in my opinion and there was more nuttiness. Overall the cigar was enjoyable, occasionally however I got a bit of harshness on the back of the throat. If the price on these is right (read: same range as Italias and Brazilias) I would buy again. For me this would not be a regular everyday smoke, but I would have to be in the mood for it. I would like to try a smaller rg of the American to see how the flavors differ. I have found myself moving away from larger rg and perhaps I would more enjoy a corona size American. All in all a good smoke. Construction: 10/10 Taste: 7/10 Value: it was free to me so I guess 10/10

10-24-2008, 10:44 PM	#2
md4958 Captain Cannoli Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moe Location: Suffield, CT Posts: 5,712 Trading: (62)	Re: CAO American nice review... ive got a couple of these in my humi that were passed to me... gotta light one up soon. __________________ "One fart can foul the air for everyone" - Esteemed philosopher "If avoiding the nasty $hit is being a snob, them I am guilty as charged."- Same esteemed philosopher.

10-24-2008, 10:57 PM	#3
webjunkie Still Watching My Back Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Daniel Location: Nagano Prefecture, Japan Posts: 213 Trading: (1)	Re: CAO American These definitely benefit from resting. I had a fresh one last year and was not impressed at all. Let a second rest for several months and it was a vast improvement, but still not my cup of tea.

10-24-2008, 11:07 PM	#4
Scottw Going Commando Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Location: Sussex, NJ Posts: 2,815 Trading: (6)	Re: CAO American Nice revew,cold you taste the flavor profile between the two wrappers? __________________ "Ray when someone asks you if your a GOD you say yes."

10-25-2008, 01:31 AM	#6
shvictor Instigator Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Steve Location: Lathrop, CA Posts: 2,846 Trading: (40)	Re: CAO American Nice review...I love that cigar __________________