The first Nicaraguan-focused blend from the company is the CAO Nicaragua cigar. This cigar has a medium to full body and strength. It is wrapped in a Jamastran wrapper from Honduras and made from a combination of Nicaraguan Jalapa, Esteli, and Condega leaves.
The flavor profile of this one consists of wood, leather, creaminess, sweetness, spice, and pepper. Coming from its price range, it is likewise a pretty inexpensive stick.
| Wrapper Origin: Honduran | Shape: Robusto |
| Length: 4 7/8 | Ring: 50 |
| Wrapper: Jamastran | List Price: $151.80 (Box of 20) |
| Origin: Honduran | Strength: Full |
Appearance of CAO Nicaragua
The wrapper of the CAO Nicaragua cigar is a lovely milk chocolate brown color, with veins and seams that are clearly evident. It has a double cap and is well packed. The cigar has a leather and cocoa scent.
The band of the cigar is particularly attractive, with blue and gold with accents of red and white. The “CAO“ logo is positioned in the center and is written in a red font with what appears to be a squeeze font. Below it, the word “Nicaragua“ is printed in full capital letters using a gold-colored typeface. The band also has an odd shape because the midsection has a sharp top.
Smoking Experience
I noticed flavors of strong wood and creaminess as soon as I lit the CAO Nicaragua cigar. After the first third, the flavor profile really focuses on strong woods, leather that is spicy, has creaminess, and black pepper on the retro-hale. It also has a medium body and a medium strength.
The flavor of strong wood persisted after my second third, however this time it was complemented by nut flavors. Additionally, the pepper and spice have been more subdued while the creaminess has grown in strength. Sweet notes are present throughout, especially on the retro-hale. Both the burn and the smoke output are excellent. The burn line is uneven, though. The cigar is doing well thus far.
The flavors were more balanced and it actually became smoother over the final third of my smoke. When compared to the first and second thirds, the strong wood flavor is not as strong as it used to be. Everything mellowed out in flavor. Hay and cedar are two other, very minor flavor notes I picked up. Ash is no longer holding up all that well, and the burn line is still uneven. On the retro-hale, the pepper and sweet flavors are still there.
Overall
The flavor profile of the CAO Nicaragua cigar is composed primarily of woods, leather, creaminess, sweetness, spice, and pepper. Although the richness of the flavors is inconsistent, the flavor profile was still great. Along with how the ash is holding up, the burn line is also not that good.
I like this cigar despite a few of its flaws. It’s quite enjoyable, making it the best cigarette to smoke in the afternoon or while sipping your favorite whiskey. However, I don’t think I will buy this one again, even if it is really fairly priced.
