Cigar Reviewed: CAO Brazilia

“Released after five meticulous years of research and planning, the CAO Brazilia is a full-flavored cigar made from one of the finest Brazilian wrapper leaves we’ve ever seen. It’s a fitting tribute to the country — for centuries, Brazil has been celebrated for its art, and its creation of all things beautiful. And Brazilia is most certainly beautiful.” - cigarsinternational.com

Specs:

Wrapper: Brazilian, Maduro.

Binder: Nicaraguan.

Filler: Nicaraguan.

Size: 5.0”x56.

Strength: Med-Full.

Price: $7.40 MSRP.

Purchased at: cigarsinternational.com (CAO Globetrotters Mega-Sampler) $3 per stick.

My humidor:

Temperature: 72.3 F.

Humidity: 69.8%.

Appearance: I like the CAO nations bands. They incorporate elements from the countries flag and Tobacco from that region. They do the same with the boxes but more extravagant. So obviously this cigar is Brazil themed and just like their national flag there is green, yellow and blue all over the band and box. I’m not a huge fan of cardboard boxes for cigars but this is not bad. Presentation score: 7/10.

Pre-light: The wrapper hue is a very dark brown. The roll is even and the spring firm. The cold draw is perfect with notes of cocoa and light leather. The aroma of the wrapper is the same but heavier on the leather. Pre-light score: 10/10!

First third: Lets light up! I’m using a match to start this thing. Right away I can tell this thing is aggressive, it’s got very rich flavor and is already medium-full bodied. The flavors I get are cocoa, leather, black pepper and cream. As it progresses through the first third the pepper steps back and the cocoa becomes sweet like a rich chocolate. It’s almost as sweet as an infused cigar! This third is rich, complex and balanced but it did start a little coarse on the palette. The draw is perfect and the ash very solid. The burn is slightly wavy but really not far off.

Second third: The cigar changes nicely here. The sweet chocolate stays along with the cream and a nutty taste comes in. This third is smooth as well. The flavors are rich and balanced, slightly less complex but that sweet chocolate is so good! The burn is a little more wavy but not crazy.

Final third: All the flavors come back here and a few new ones. We get cream, light leather, mineral spice, cedar and the chocolate goes back to cocoa as it is no longer sweet. The flavors are everything that you can ask for in this third, they are smooth, balanced, complex and rich. The burn evens back out and the draw remains perfect. The cigar does seem a little more full bodied to end this cigar but it’s not overpowering.

Combustion score: 9/10.

Taste score: 67/70.

Final Thoughts: This cigar was extremely enjoyable. I really enjoyed the rich chocolate flavor and the sweetness that seems impossible for a non infused cigar. The flavors stay smooth, complex and balanced throughout this smoke. I enjoyed the other flavors but really you smoke this for the rich chocolate. The construction was great with a perfect pre light score and only a slightly wavy burn. I rate it a 93.

Price (MSRP) per point score: 0.79! Great buy!