Cigar Reviewed: CAO V19

Smoked at: Plano, TX

Take this with a grain of salt because I have been told that I have an "eclectic" palate. I have been a fan of most of the older flathead cigars like the 660, but have not enjoyed many CAOs that followed. I went into this cigar with a clean palate and no expectations.

Pre light draw: Cocoa powder and sweet general woodiness

First light: At first light im getting a ton of flavor and definitely a full Medium body smoke right off the bat. I noticed that my lips were a bit oily and spicy black pepper on the retro but red chili powder and oak wood on the draw. Thick creamy chocolate coating the palate once the chili powder dies down.

First third: I noticed that once the cigar heated up, the cigar tastes as if the tobacco hadn't been fermented long enough. I am getting a general fruitiness with some earthiness on the draw, but the chocolate went away. Nothing really too exciting for a cigar that looks this good though. The earthiness is now giving me a bit of a chemical cleaner type of note. Hopefully that goes away in the second third.

Second third: Well, things haven't gotten better for me. The earthiness on the cigar is kind of giving me a bit of an ashy note and the cigar went out on me between normal draws (30-60 seconds between draws). I noticed that my thoat has a bit of a scratchy feeling from the black pepper on the draw. Still getting some red chili powder note on the retro. After perging the cigar, the cigar took on a bit of a ginger note on the draw and the retro in getting some slightly burned popcorn.

Final third: We're to the end on this V19 and its still really earthy but a bit of a sweetness is coming back. Nothing I could really pick out, but definitely a little sweetness.

Overall, I was not a fan of this cigar and this has really made me consider not seeking out the newest CAOs on the market. I haven't really had anything that was as good as the 660 or the Amazon series. But, we each have a different palate and something that might not be great for me, will be excefor someone else. I won't be trying this one again.