Being a fan of the Criollo wrapper I have been wondering about these for a long time. Has anyone tried these?? What are your comments as far as construction and flavor profile? Thanks

I'm a massive fan of the CAO Criollo, looking forward to getting a box soon when I go back to America as they're too expensive here in the UK. However I have heard that the CAO Criollo is rather mediocre compaired to others. As far as the CAO goes, i've only ever had one or two instances where i've had a burning issue, and thats after about 1-1/2 boxes.

Bought first one yesterday on a whim...my brother raves about CAO but I have not tried one...the tabac man said the Criollo's were spicier of the offereings...will post in a few days the taste result

Thanks for the educated responsces guys but WTF! I'm asking about Criollo 98 by Alec Bradley not CAO criollo. If you want a nice Criollo wrapped cigar get a Torano Exodus Silver in any size or a Cubita SMS(poor mans OpusX). Itll blow the CAO away.

My sentiments exactly. I see those criollo 98's around here and there and was always wondering if they are any good. It would be cool if they tasted like the HSG's but with a criollo wrapper.

Hard work may pay off eventually but laziness always pays off now.

I didn't particularly like the Alec Bradley's but I am a big fan of C.A.O.
If I remember correctly the AB's were not all that.I had two didn't like them and never bought anymore.

Stogiemeister,

It is an excellent cigar, I stumbled on them a couple of years ago, my local tobaconist carries them. They require some humi time to be at their best. The contruction is immaculate, they burn well and a complex flavor profile. I make a point to keep them on hand.

I on the other hand don't care for anything CAO puts out other than the Brazilia's.

Veggies are what food eats....where's the beef?

NM cowboy - with regard to the construction, are they better than the HSG's and the occidental reserve. Those two IMO are both underfilled and spongy. The wrappers don't burn very evenly either. Too bad really because they taste pretty good, especially the HSG's. I just hate it when a cigar burns mostly even but the wrapper looks like the readout on an EKG machine. Do you know what I'm talking about? It isn't even necesarily a construction thing. In fact it is probably more of a fermentation or aging issue.

Hard work may pay off eventually but laziness always pays off now.

Not that I've tried the Criollo 98 by Alec Bradley but Cigar King has a cigar called Special Blend. On the cigar band it says Alec Bradley. Now these cigars are good. Well made, nice even burn, but a mild cigar.

Could these be made by the same person?

"I do not want to belong to any club that would have me as a memeber" Grouch Marx

Yes. Special blends are mady by kelner for alec bradley. They used to be called kelner seconds but then they changed the name to special blends and raised the price.

Hard work may pay off eventually but laziness always pays off now.

pmp,

I have no experience with the HSG's or the occidental reserve so I can't compare them for you. The Criolla 98 stands well on it's own, I wouldn't say spongy by any means, burn has always been great. What I consider to be a quality cigar. The 98's I have bought locally I have found I like best after sitting in the humi for serveral months, I don't know if that is an age issue or not. Not enough time to age the cigar but seem to smoke better than right off the shelf.

Veggies are what food eats....where's the beef?

Thanks MNcowboy , I appreciate the replie. I'll have to put these on my list. Once agian thanks alot. Hey! Phatash and cigar king have a special on them right know.

B.A.S.E #0000 <(o)>

True criollo is the oldest smokeable tobacco breed around. If you can get your hands on an OLD criollo cuban, it is a TOTALLY unique flavor profile. A little rounder. A little sharper. Although I can appreciate some of the contemporary "criollos" I find that they share almost nothing with true cuban criollo.
JMHO
Pmag

To err is human... <br />to smoke is divine