Picked one up the other night at a local tobacconist. (Also got a few Anacondas!) Got all 3 sizes plus the sweet hat. This review if for the Ciao (5x56):
Appearance and Construction (13 out of 15 points)
Beautiful cigar! Jet black Maduro wrapper, smooth and oily. Nice and firm to the touch, no hard spots, no blemishes. No big veins at all, great looking wrapper. One complaint was that the cap was a little rough. Other than that, this was a great looking cigar.
Flavor (23 out of 25 points)
Wow! This is what I like! Creamy and woody with vanilla notes and a slight acidity (which I like). It had a nice little bite after the draw. I did not detect any harshness whatsoever. Very smooth smoke.
Smoking Characteristics (22 out of 25 points)
This was a very nice burning cigar. It lit quickly and the aroma of the first burn was extremely pleasant to the schnoz. It had a nice 2 inch white ash. The overall burn was slightly uneven and I did have to work on it a little to even it out. The draw was nice and firm, just right IMO, not underfilled or plugged, no spots of tough draw either.
Overall Impression (32 ou tof 35 points)
I really enjoyed this cigar! I had a high expectation going in and I wasn't disappointed. I would classify it as a medium-full bodied cigar, but not as full as the Brazilia, but somewhere inbetween that and their Ann. Maduros. This is a great looking cigar (with great presentation), the wrapper contrasts the color of the cigar nicely. If I were to compare this to other CAOs: I would call it a blend of the creaminess of a Cameroon, the acidity of an MX2 and the majority of the flavor of a Brazilia. If I were to compare this to a non-CAO I would say it was like a Padron K series minus the peppery notes.
Overall : 90 points
I was very pleased with it, and I can't wait to try the other ones!
"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."
[This message was edited by jsprenkel on August 27, 2004 at 08:22 AM.]
[This message was edited by jsprenkel on August 27, 2004 at 02:07 PM.]
I can hardly wait to get my hands on these. For some reason, I've been really stoked about trying them. Now, I really can't wait. So far, I haven't found any shops around me that carry them. One in Tulsa, an hour and half from me, says he didn't order any at the show, and wants to "try them for himself" before he sells them. My local shop wasn't sure if they were going to get them. I called the other day, while they were getting ready to call to place their CAO order, and requested that they definitely get them in. I'm not holding my breath, because they just got their first Mx2's about a month ago!
The shop in Springfield, MO that I got my cool Mx2 hat, will probably get them in. Not sure, though. They didn't give much response when I called about it a week ago.
But, great review! Thanks for giving us that!
Posts: 175 | Location: Joplin MO | Registered: January 05, 2003
I sent in some snaps to CAO of my friends enjoying some of their cigars... a few days later i get a box from them... free sticks! Can't tell you what they were, but i was VERY suprised. These guys rock!
"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."
my local cigar shop doesn't have them either, and i've been having trouble finding them online, but i was able to order a 5-pack from egars.com last night. i can't wait. they sound great.
Posts: 91 | Location: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: July 22, 2004
Great review! I got all 3 also (and the nice hat). I’ve only tried the Gondola so far but I agree whole heartedly with jsprenkel. This is a beautiful cigar, I can’t wait to try the other 2.
Posts: 63 | Location: Raleigh,NC | Registered: August 17, 2004
Great review! I totally agree with everything! just purchased my 3rd box of the Ciao's (and my 5th hat...dealer was really pushing them!) and will add them to my every day line. I actually got a humi dedicated to them.
The best thing is that taste / smell combination. It relaxes me so much! With a glass of porte and a cool night sunset...life is good! Just as a good cigar should make you feel!
Hats off to CAO..again!
Life's too short to drink bad wine, or smoke bad cigars :-)
Posts: 287 | Location: Maryland | Registered: May 31, 2002
I picked up a bundle (5) yesterday and sat in my local shop (The Tobacconist of Cary) and smoked one.
The cigar is dark and I notice some difference in the color of the wrappers comparing the two boxes in the shop. The wrappers are a tad veiny, but nothing unsightly...besides, apprearance has never been a detractor for me.
The cigar smoked very well. It didn't require constant attention to stay lit. The volume of smoke was adequate, not lush, not limited.
I'd call this cigar medium bodied with a sweet herbal character that resulted in a long, slightly sweet finish.
Overall, I'd rate the cigar very good. If the price point was 10-15% lower it would be part of my normal weekly smoking rotation. I smoke one of the figurados, btw. IMO, CAO has a hit on their hands.
I got mine in the mail yesterday. Beautiful dark brown wrapper, had a smooth, pleasant, nutty flavor. Mine burned a little unevenly towards the end, but was overall a terrific smoke. I think they're my new favorite C.A.O.
Posts: 91 | Location: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: July 22, 2004
A couple weeks ago, I drove an hour to Springfield to get some Italias.
Yesterday afternoon, I had an opportunity to try out one of them. I smoked the Ciao size.
Beautiful wrapper: dark, silky. I like the art on the band. I had just a little uneven burn problem, too. But it straightened up after a little maintenance. I tasted some nutty, vanilla flavors throughout. Maybe a hint of leather. Was a little bitey. I would say medium body throughout, but as I smoked it down to the sweeter finish, right down to burning my fingers, it got more full-bodied.
I think this was an excellent cigar. I can hardly wait to see what the other two sizes hold in store for me!
Great job, CAO!
Posts: 175 | Location: Joplin MO | Registered: January 05, 2003
I tried the Italia last week. I have to say I didn't enjoy it as much as expected, partly because I'm a novice and don't have much experiance with many smokes. I did enjoy the CAO Maduro. I bought a Churchhill and enjoyed it to the point of almost burning my fingers. It smoked just as good as when I lit it. I also enjoyed the Criollo and Brazilia. Overall I think CAO is quickly becoming my staple brand in my humidor. I am still experimenting with others though.
I agree, the Italia didn't taste good at all to me, Very chemically and burnt tasting. Maybe after some time, but then it'll probably be too mellow... I love the CAO L'anniversaire Maduro's...Good Stuff!
I have made the Italia my primary enjoyable smoke when I have the time to really relax and enjoy! I find that they taste the best after resting about a month at 65%. You can tell when they get very firm that they are ready.
The *chemical* taste that you are experiencing I have also experienced on many a cigar. Everything from an OpusX to a Connie and all in between. It comes from a stick that is a little too wet. It is also referred to as a *grassy* taste. Let them sit a while. They burn great and are very sweet when allowed to sit. I have about 2 boxes of the Ciao's resting for Xmsa time!
Life's too short to drink bad wine, or smoke bad cigars :-)
Posts: 287 | Location: Maryland | Registered: May 31, 2002
