CAO EXTREME Cigar Review

• Brand: CAO EXTREME
• Length: 6 inches
• Ring: 52
• Score: Not given, but described as full - flavored and full - bodied

Construction

CAO is known for unique blends. The Extreme line uses ligero fillers from Estelí and La Entrada. The wrapper is a deep - brown Ecuadorian Habano ligero leaf, covered mostly by a large black and orange band. The wrapper under the band is dark, oily, smooth with a mottled look. The 6 - inch stick is plump, well - rolled, with no soft spots. The thick cap cuts cleanly with a Colibri V Cutter.

Flavor & Aroma

• One third: The wrapper has a barnyard vegetation aroma, the foot a savory spiciness. Cold draw has oak and earth flavors. First puffs are slightly acrid, then crushed black pepper and oak come through. A gentle sweetness develops at the end.
• Two thirds: More natural sweetness and black pepper on the back of the palate.
• Three thirds: Sweetness surges at the start then fades, replaced by cedar and oats notes.

Burn & Smoking Characteristics

The CAO Extreme draws easily and produces a lot of smoke. The long, compact ash grows to almost 2 inches before the first drop and drops twice during a 70 - minute smoke. The burn is cool and even, allowing the cigar to be smoked to the nub.

CAO claims it's a full - strength cigar, but it's more medium. It has full flavor and body without being overpowering. The dark, earthy flavors are complemented by natural sweetness. Origin: Honduras, Format: Toro, Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Ligero, Filler: Nicaraguan & Honduran Ligero, Binder: Nicaraguan, Hand - Made, Price: ~$9 each.