I have heard several people comment positively on this brand. I would like to try some, but dont know which type to try. As I only smoke 1-2 sticks a month it takes me a while to sample. I like strong flavorful cigars and typically am partial to maduros. Any reccomendations ?
Posts: 44 | Location: Alabama, USA | Registered: May 26, 2004
Dear IronMatt; I really like the whole range of CAO cigars. The CAO Gold is a mild to medium "breakfast smoke". The CAO Criollo Conquistador would be a good one to try as well as the Extreme and the MX2. I have yet to smoke one from this company that has been a disappointment. Try picking up singles at a local cigar store until you find one that is worthy of you buying a box. Best of luck, Andy
Posts: 1430 | Location: Miami, FL, USA | Registered: July 29, 2003
Just to balance this out I will give my 2 cents. I think most CAO blends are mediocre and overpriced. I like the brazilia very much but hate the sizes. The gold tastes like dirt to me. It has none of the charm that most mild cigars posses. The criollo is harsh and dry. It lacks the natural sweetness most criollo wrapped cigars. If you have tried a torano silver or even a camacho havana you will know exactly what I speak of, although the camacho havana series kinda sucks too. The CAO anniversary cameroon and maduros are alright but not worth the money as most of them that I have had burned somewhat poorly. The extreme is pretty good but nothing to get really excited about. I haven't tried the odessy or the MX2 but from what I hear they are pretty good. I look forward to trying them. CAO is a quality cigar but for my money I think there are better buys.
Mind you, all that really matters is what YOU like to smoke. There is no substitute for trying new things. In this respect CAO should not be passed up. Its just hard to hone your tastes when you smoke so seldom.
Hard work may pay off eventually but laziness always pays off now.
Stay away from Cigarsinternational's CAO Anniveraries'! They still sell the Perdomo-made sticks and they have some serious quality issues! Go to your local tobac. and pick some up there. my two cents.
"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."
I have to say the Brazilia's were great along with the Madoro...but the MX2 was not that good...Overall the line is good...if you can get a good price..
Piss on me once ...that's your fault...Piss on me twice that's my fault....
Posts: 249 | Location: Buffalo NY | Registered: July 09, 2004
huh interesting, I've always been a fan of the Anniveraries' the cameroon wrapper is likely one of my favorite cigars. I remember trying one of the Brazillias a couple of years ago and finding it to be too much of a cigar fro me to handle; I'll have to give another one a shot.
Oh, I got a million dreams. That's all I do is dream -Duke Ellington
Posts: 794 | Location: Seattle, Wa, USA | Registered: July 19, 2004
CAO Brazilia line offers the same blend in the GOL, Amazon and Sambas. I smoke about 10 or so GOLs a week to and from work. I also like the MX2's for a fireside smoke. They all have that stronger flavor than most. The Gold line is good for a lighter aromatic smoke. Usually at a party or in a mixed crowd of smokers and non-smokers. Try the GOL's to get the taste of the Brazilia's.
Life's too short to drink bad wine, or smoke bad cigars :-)
Posts: 287 | Location: Maryland | Registered: May 31, 2002
I love the Brazilias. I just got some Sambas. If you llike CAO than this is the one to get. The Gold's are much milder, and while they are good I like the more full bodied smoke. Whatever you do stay away from the MX2. Those should be called Awful Squared instead of Maduro times 2. ADB
Posts: 61 | Location: Woodcliff Lake, NJ, USA | Registered: October 08, 2003
MX2's are a very different smoke. You need to know that going into it. Being a double maduro offers a taste that I find really great once it burns about an inch. It is a smooth smoke with a taste resembling a dark chocolate or semi sweet chocolate. Hints of coffee abound. I have about 3 boxes in a dedicated humi. After about 3 months, they are unbelievable! I'll take all I can get!
Life's too short to drink bad wine, or smoke bad cigars :-)
Posts: 287 | Location: Maryland | Registered: May 31, 2002
Get the CAO Commenerative Sampler. Niceashcigars.com offers it at a good price $29.99. Ive ordered from them twice and have not been disappointed. Just dont pay attention to the website (not to good). http://niceashcigars.com
Dr. Roe - That is how an endorsement should go. You make those cigars sound good. I think you might have prompted me to go get a few mx2 and set them aside for a few months.
Spooky - Yes IMO compared to some other criollo wrapped cigars, the CAO doesn't do the wrapper justice. I almost forgot cubita SMS. That one is criollo wrapped too and better than the cao criollo to me. The bad thing about the CAO criollo is that you can almost taste the potential but all the ones I had never made it all the way to being "good" in my book. I wonder how they would be after 6 months or a year of aging.
Many thanks for the good words. I just believe that if people ask how good or bad a cigar is, then we should give the straight skinny! I have wasted much too much $$ on bad smokes. Wish I had it all back to buy more of the good smokes!
Life's too short to drink bad wine, or smoke bad cigars :-)
Posts: 287 | Location: Maryland | Registered: May 31, 2002
Last time I checked JR still sold them. I did mention the fact that I have never tried one but want to. I hear they are fantastic but hard to find and too nice looking to smoke.
Hard work may pay off eventually but laziness always pays off now.
