This was the first Maduro I ever had, and I have been hooked since. So, on this post, I admit my bias.
The wrapper is a Blackened Connecticut Broadleaf while the binder is Nicaraguan. The filler is Dominican, Nicaraguan and Peruvian. Nice oily wrapper. Soft and feel like cloth.
The taste on this cigar is strong and balanced. You are hit with a nice earthy flavor with a nutty flavor. A woody and earthy flavor remain in the aftertaste. It has a toasty flavor to it as well. It is like having a fine scotch. It is strong and smooth.
The draw was firm, but the flavor did not settle. I am thankful for that. The last one I had had a better draw. The burn was nice and even with a good ash at the end.
The one thing that hits this stick is the price. It is $13.75 plus tax for a No. 2 Belicoso. That is a little steep for a 45-50 minute smoke. But the balance of this cigar never ceases, and the pleasure is always there.
Final Grade: A
Showing posts with label Peruvian Filler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peruvian Filler. Show all posts
Friday, November 5, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
CAO MX2
Being that Maduro smoker I am, I took an MX2 for the tasting. Now, I had heard two things from this cigar. "Love it," or "hate it."
This cigar is made with a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper, a Brazilian Maduro binder, and fillers from Nicaragua, Peru, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. This cigar had a oily wrapper that was a little soft. Firm feeling though as far as filling.
Torching this cigar, for me, was a treat. A rich earthy flavor, mixed with a taste of coffee. This cigar almost had a sweet undertone with the coffee flavor. It was like if you added just a hint of sugar to a French Roast. The Earthy flavor stayed balanced and did not over power the smoke. The aftertaste consisted of a nutty flavor with a hint of coffee or espresso. It is nice for the coffee flavor, but at times it seemed the earthy flavor was overshadowed at times, even nonexistent.
The burn was different. Instead of a nice white ash, it was as black as the cigar. I found this to be very interesting. It burned very evenly though until the end. The wrapper started to split. It was like watching an explosion in slow motion. I had to slow way down to avoid it getting worse. Once passed, the cigar finished just fine. The draw was a little firm, but consistent.
The price point for this cigar (double toro size) was $11.75, plus tax of course. Not a bad price for a hour long smoke. A Maduro usually costs more as well. So, for the what you are getting, the price is good.
The just missed explosion of my cigar will bring the grade down. The overshadowing of the earthy flavor will also bring it down, but not much because of what you get with the coffee flavor. Without the split and almost exploding, this cigar would be an A-/A.
Final Grade: B
This cigar is made with a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper, a Brazilian Maduro binder, and fillers from Nicaragua, Peru, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. This cigar had a oily wrapper that was a little soft. Firm feeling though as far as filling.
Torching this cigar, for me, was a treat. A rich earthy flavor, mixed with a taste of coffee. This cigar almost had a sweet undertone with the coffee flavor. It was like if you added just a hint of sugar to a French Roast. The Earthy flavor stayed balanced and did not over power the smoke. The aftertaste consisted of a nutty flavor with a hint of coffee or espresso. It is nice for the coffee flavor, but at times it seemed the earthy flavor was overshadowed at times, even nonexistent.
The burn was different. Instead of a nice white ash, it was as black as the cigar. I found this to be very interesting. It burned very evenly though until the end. The wrapper started to split. It was like watching an explosion in slow motion. I had to slow way down to avoid it getting worse. Once passed, the cigar finished just fine. The draw was a little firm, but consistent.
The price point for this cigar (double toro size) was $11.75, plus tax of course. Not a bad price for a hour long smoke. A Maduro usually costs more as well. So, for the what you are getting, the price is good.
The just missed explosion of my cigar will bring the grade down. The overshadowing of the earthy flavor will also bring it down, but not much because of what you get with the coffee flavor. Without the split and almost exploding, this cigar would be an A-/A.
Final Grade: B
Saturday, August 28, 2010
CAO Italia
Since a few cigar clubs love this smoke, I decided to give it a go. I was told it was a Maduro, and a light one at that. It wasn't though. It is a Habano wrap, which I am a fan of anyway. The seller for me was that some of the tobacco was Italian. Since I had never had Italian tobacco, I wanted to try it.
This has a Honduran wrapper and binder. It is filled with tobacco from Peru, Nicaragua and Italy. This is a unique combination.
The construction was a good one. Nicely wrapped and felt a little tight. The wrap had a veiny texture though which made me concerned of how it would burn.
I torched this cigar and was bombarded by different flavors. It was cedary mixed with spice. Underlying all of this was a slight earthy and creamy flavor. The finish was cedar and cream. The taste lingered but never went south. It stayed consistent throughout. This was a bold smoke. Through the course of this cigar you will notice new flavors and mixes. You get spice, cream, earthy, and cedar. This is a well rounded smoke.
The draw and burn were consistent and even. No flaws on that end.
The one I had was the Piazza size. The price was $13.75, which is a little steep. But, it is worth a try. This complex smoke is something to try. The price brings it down, but not by much. This is an A-/A cigar, but I will put price into consideration.
Final Grade: B+
This has a Honduran wrapper and binder. It is filled with tobacco from Peru, Nicaragua and Italy. This is a unique combination.
The construction was a good one. Nicely wrapped and felt a little tight. The wrap had a veiny texture though which made me concerned of how it would burn.
I torched this cigar and was bombarded by different flavors. It was cedary mixed with spice. Underlying all of this was a slight earthy and creamy flavor. The finish was cedar and cream. The taste lingered but never went south. It stayed consistent throughout. This was a bold smoke. Through the course of this cigar you will notice new flavors and mixes. You get spice, cream, earthy, and cedar. This is a well rounded smoke.
The draw and burn were consistent and even. No flaws on that end.
The one I had was the Piazza size. The price was $13.75, which is a little steep. But, it is worth a try. This complex smoke is something to try. The price brings it down, but not by much. This is an A-/A cigar, but I will put price into consideration.
Final Grade: B+
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