CAO Gold

After the full strength of the CAO Gol!, I was ready for something a little more tame to smoke.  The next cigar I tried from a recent sampler purchase is another high quality stick from CAO, the CAO Gold.

Size: 5 x 50
Shape: Robusto
Wrapper: Ecuador, Connecticut Shade
Filler:  Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Strength: Mild to Medium
Price: $5.00 online

A blend of Nicaraguan filler and binder, and an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, the gold is a presentation of the milder side of CAO.  The construction of the cigar is nice, with a reasonable amount of veins present and no noticeable defects.  The cigar is firm, but gives a little when pressed springing quickly back into shape.  The natural wrapper has good color and a light sheen inviting the smoker to enjoy.

The cap takes a smooth cut and the  foot toasts quickly and evenly.  The initial draw is light, with a thread of sweetness on the pallet.  As the cigar develops the wood notes become stronger, and the sweetness builds into a caramelized vanilla flavor.  Through the second 3rd the strength remains mild and the flavors full, and there is large amounts of the smooth  gray smoke.  Nut flavors begin to arrive at this point, mixing with the creamy sweetness and the wood into a nice complexity.

The final 3rd provides consistancy with the progression of the smoke.  The  cigar remains mild to medium in strength through to the final draw, and the flavors are full on the pallet.  The draw is easy, and the smoke smooth with a great burn throughout requiring no touch ups.

The CAO Gold is a mild to medium strength cigar with great flavors.  And at around $5 a stick, it is as easy on the wallet as on the pallet.

CAO Gol!

Size: 5 x 56
Shape: Robusto
Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro
Filler:  Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Strength: Full
Price: $6.80 online

This week I purchased some nice cigars produced by CAO.  The first stick in the of the group that I enjoyed is the Brazilian Gol!.

The stick has a wonderful sheen emanating from the dark maduro wrapper.  There are a few veins on the cigar adding to the it's beauty, and after cutting the cap the quality of the construction remains true.  The prelight draw is silky smooth, and delivers flavors of wood, leather, and nut.   The foot toasts quickly and evenly, and the first draw delivers a pleasant smoke laced with peppery spice.  The spice remains one of the dominant flavors for the first few draws, lending some strength to the mild flavors at the start.  As the first 3rd nears completion, the spice fades to the background and a more powerful smoke quickly develops moving it well into the full flavor realm.  I come quickly to the realization that this is one of the strongest cigars I have ever smoked.

Moving through the second 3rd the complexity of the flavors begin to build.  Heavy wood and leather flavors are accented by a mild mocha note and the beginning of some coffee on the outer edge.  These strong flavors and deep complexity develop further during the final 3rd, but with a substantial increase in the coffee to that of a dark roast.  The spice continues its presence on the pallet, and deep toasted malt builds in to the blend.  As the end of the cigar nears I become fully aware of the definition of a full strength maduro cigar.

Being that I am still fairly new to cigars, this one tested my will to the end.  It is a fabulous smoke on occasion if you frequent cigars, but it may not be a good choice for lighter smokers.  CAO makes some great cigars, and this full flavor maduro hits the quality standards dead center.