Cigar Reviewed: CAO Gold Maduro

Smoked at: Minnesota

To me, maduros are like the pizza of the cigar world. Even a very mediocre one is pretty tasty. You have to really screw up to make one so bad it's not even palatable. This one is like a nice Brooklyn slice you grab two of on your way home from the bar and then decide to go back for one more.

The usual maduro characteristics are all in play, here: a little chocolate, some espresso, a healthy pinch of black pepper, and a hint of sweet molasses to hold everything together. It's very well balanced in this blend.

Very smooth all the way through, the pepper picks up a bit in the middle and finishes sweeter. Wrapper is a pretty and oily with a bit of a rustic look with pronounced veins. No unraveling. The ash is a nice white and gray swirl. Decent build, though a little flaky and prone to falling off after a half-inch. A generally clean char line that needed one small touch-up just before the first thin label. Draw is near perfect and burn is slow and steady without dragging on. A reasonable dose of nicotine that doesn't leave you staggering.

An excellent go-to for fans of rich, flavorful smokes that remain interesting with assaulting your senses.