Maybe it's because I had Peruvian seafood tonight but I just finished up a CAO Italia and it did seem to have a distinct flavor that reminded me of seafood, like clams or something. It wasn't unpleasant but it was unusual to taste compared to some of the sticks I've tried lately.

Had that with a bit of 18 Yr Maccallan.

Burned a bit unevenly, after a couple weeks in the humi.

Glad I tried it but it will be a while before I get back to that one.

Matt

I've found a strange flavor in the Italia also. It wasn't bad just different. Believe it or not it had a faint lamb/goat meat hint of flavor. I kid you not that is the only way I can describe it.
Maybe its the small amout of Italian filler that goes in it. I've never tasted Italian tobacco before but it may have an unusual flavor on the palat.

I agree. This smoke is distinctly unusual. I didn't partucularly like it, and would much rather smoke a Brazillia Gol!

Glad others have noticed the unusual taste. I wish I could pinpoint the flavor. It was subtle and only revealed itself under certain conditions.

I did some searching on the net and I saw several references to the uneven burn.

quote:

Originally posted by littoines:
I've found a strange flavor in the Italia also. It wasn't bad just different. Believe it or not it had a faint lamb/goat meat hint of flavor. I kid you not that is the only way I can describe it.

You may be on to something with the lamb reference. Strange, almost gamey taste. I also notice a strange, peachy taste in the last third. Not at all unpleasant. I've smoked dozens of them, and would much rather have an Italia than a Brazilia. The Brazilias seem almost flavorless to me.

This and the Vision are the only two CAO cigars I have not smoked. I may pick one of these up, but I don't think I'm going to get the Vision. However, I am not particularly a fan of seafood, so who knows if I'll enjoy an Italia. I might as well try one and find out haha. What's the best size to try (I know its kind of a personal preference thing)

I'm not into many NC's, generally, but once in a while I'll pick one of these up. It can be a great and very different cigar, well outside of the normal flavor profile. Oddly, they go great with beaujolais, which I'm also not usually into. Somehow the combination just works. Sort of like tasting wine and cigars for the first time. Just the thing for a jaded, bored palate.