One look at the CAO Gold Robusto, and I can already tell that I’m in for a real treat. Its glistening golden brown Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper teems with oils and swaddles a rich and earthy blend of Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. I picked this Robusto from my humidor, hoping for a smoking experience that walks me through the staples of Nicaragua. Needless to say, the CAO Gold Robusto most definitely went above and beyond my expectations.
Crafting innovative blends that are a fantastic addition to anyone’s humidor, CAO Cigars itself is a fascinating cigar company and story. Cano Aret Ozgener founded one of the best-selling brands of premium cigars known today back in 1998, just around the pivotal boom of the cigar industry. Ozgener, a longtime cigar and pipe enthusiast, started selling his own blends in 1980 and quickly grew an empire that selectively only uses the best premium tobaccos for each of their fine hand-rolled cigars.
| Wrapper Origin: Ecuador | Shape: Robusto |
| Length: 5 | Ring: 50 |
| Wrapper: Connecticut Shade | List Price: $141.80 (Box of 20) |
| Origin: Nicaragua | Strength: Mellow |
Pull of Cigar
The pull of the cigar ranges from an almost ideal amount of firmness — just enough to usher in the aromatic air, but not enough to suspect obstruction to — a bit tight with more resistance.
The cold draw reveals a wide array of sweet butterscotch and resinous cedar flavors. At the same time, the pre-light aroma is an intoxicating combination of notes that include petrichor, incredible peppery spice, fresh hay, and very mild wood.
Taste
After brief toasting of the foot, I made sure that I had complete combustion by blowing on the forming embers to get an even burn. Taking a couple of quick draws, the initial taste is utterly luscious with an incredible aroma in the nose. From there, the consistent flavors unravel. My first long draw ushered in a perfect spice of black pepper to the tongue and throat, intermingling with notes of dark chocolate, black coffee, and creamy vanilla. The smoke itself started mild in strength, revealing a blend of cedar and butterscotch that tantalizes the taste buds.
The burn is evenly sharp and required no touch-ups. A compact light gray ash was formed in perfect layers, falling easily after about a quarter over an inch. I was in pure CAO Gold heaven as I progress into the second, third mark of the cigar. A muted yet persistent spice and a rich medley of dark chocolate and leather caress the palate perfectly. An astringent blast of citrus and charred oak overruns the palate with a finish that lasts long after exhaling.
A sumptuous creamy undercurrent flows underneath throughout this mild to medium-bodied smoke, counterbalanced with a mouthwatering mélange of fresh-cut cedar and orange peel. A citrusy nuance melds with a dash of charred oak and leather for a delightful finish that is lightly tangy yet magnificently smooth and more than gratifying.
Overall
A delightfully captivating hour-long smoke, the CAO Gold Robusto cigar guarantees you’ll be pinching the ash with your thumb as the nub expires.
This mild cigar oozes with subtle spices and creamy textures of wonderfully balanced flavors. I wouldn’t be surprised if this smoke is a popular choice among cigar smokers for a morning coffee pairing. But I can most definitely see this as a versatile companion no matter the time, place, or level of the cigar experience. This Robusto can effortlessly make Connecticut enthusiasts giddy with delight while still enthralling cigar experts with deeply textured layers of bolder flavors.
The CAO Gold Robusto earns a 92-point rating from me. It’s not long before I come back to this smoke to once again indulge in a fantasy come true for my senses.
Other Cigars Reviews
Other CAO Cigar Reviews
CAO Gold Maduro Corona Gorda
CAO Gold Maduro is the result when you get one of the best-selling cigars in the market and have it wrapped in the best Maduro wrapper. It features the Nicaraguan long-filler tobacco blend that CAO cigars are known for. CAO Gold Maduro cigars offer an outstanding creamy smoke added with the tastes of cocoa and nuts and the aromas of earth and wood, resulting in a complex flavor profile cigar. This cigar is great for a smooth Maduro experience or a cigar lover who is looking for a milder yet flavorful cigar experience.
CAO Flathead Steel Horse Apehanger
CAO Flathead Steel Horse cigars, masterfully crafted by Rick Rodriguez, are known for their intense full-bodied profile, created with a rich blend of tobaccos from Honduras, Nicaragua, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and the USA. The unique combination, highlighted by a dark, oily Connecticut Habano Oscuro wrapper, promises an intricate smoking experience packed with diverse layers of chocolate, wood, and espresso flavors that tantalize the palate. This intricate composition of flavors and origins has garnered attention, necessitating a comprehensive review of the CAO Flathead Steel Horse Apehanger for aficionados and curious smokers alike.
Other Nicaraguan Cigar Reviews
Rocky Patel Royale Robusto
The Rocky Patel Royale Robusto, encased in an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, delivers a medium-bodied smoking experience, rich with diverse flavors including coffee, nuts, cedar, and a hint of spice without overwhelming bitterness. This Robusto, notable for its smooth draw and consistent burn quality, presents a dark, minimally veined appearance and a distinctive box-press shape. Despite its loose draw, it produces ample smoke, maintaining a medium strength profile throughout, complemented by creamy coffee undertones and a surprising, yet balanced, pepper note. While its construction and flavor are commendable, the cigar’s high price point may deter frequent indulgence. This assessment culminates in a review of Rocky Patel Royale Robusto that recognizes its quality, yet debates its value proposition considering the cost.
AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Maduro Toro
The AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Maduro Toro is a full-bodied, complex cigar wrapped in Brazilian Mata Fina and filled with Nicaraguan tobacco, featuring a rich blend of cedar, earth, and leather notes, with hints of pepper and spice. Its construction is impeccable, offering a smooth, firm texture and an oily finish, adorned with two bands that depict a woman flanked by angels, evoking the “Fine Arts” its name represents. Throughout the smoking experience, it maintains a consistent flavor profile, with the sweetness receding in the final third to give way to a more earthy taste. The cigar’s quality is further evidenced by its even burn and the fact that no touch-ups are necessary, making it suitable for those who prefer a robust, intricate smoke. However, its strength suggests it’s better suited for seasoned smokers rather than novices, as evident in the review of AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Maduro Toro.
