CAO Brazilia Samba

[Mr Edmundo]

I've tried a few CAOs and have not liked them. The best one up to now for me was the Mx2, but even that was unremarkable to me. So last night I decided to try the Brazilia. There seems to be so much hype about it, but I wasn't expecting much.
The cigar looks great. Beautiful dark maduro wrapper. Even the bright label looked good on it. Trying to get something from the smell, but nothing at all! I cut the tip and sniffed here. A slight hint of something familiar. Oh yeah....pooh. Pre light draw I sensed a bit of spice.
Now I'm really expecting to be underwhelmed.
I light her up. First few draws... mild peppery spicy. But in a good way. A few more draws, still spice. Easy to nose exhale. Very mild. Not bad so far.
The pepper smooths out and fairly mild and smooth smoke. I start to think, ok, this is what the cigar is about? Another smooth but way too mild, boring smoke. After a few minutes I realize the cigar is evolving, into something deeper, richer. As I get passed the halfway point, I realize I've been enjoying this cigar. And it is now developed into a full blown med to full bodied cigar. The flavor intesifying the more you smoke. Not the leather and chocolate, but more a nutty, not heavy profile. Kind of distinct. But smooth throughout, right to the nub. And snorking was a pleasure throughout. Not many strong smokes that you can snork to the very end.
This one really blew me away. I guess there's something to the hype.
Forgot to add that what also added to make the experience was the excellent construction and burn. Didn't need to double puff to keep the burn going. Could leave it in the ashtray for some time and still just one puff it. Burn never went off. No distractions, you can leisurley take your sweet time and enjoy every draw.
I give it an 8.5 to a 9 and a solid #5 on Legend's scale. It's in my top 25 now.