BigJake6904
Fat Texan
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2007
- Messages
- 4,415
CAO Escaparate Series Criollo Maduro
Pre light: This cigar is from 2001, it was a cigar that was gifted from the CAO “closet” on a visit to the CAO factory. Only a box or so was ever made, and it was decided that the cigar would not be put into mass production. I had this smoke and did the review while smoking with Mark Henry’s (the wrestler) older brother. It has a maduro wrapper and criollo binder, and is a standard robust size, 5x50. Pre-light draws give a sense of leather and spice with a heavy cocoa and chocolate flavor.
First Third: Full of spice and leather, and extremely full bodied. The cigar has a nice, full-grey ash and the aroma is so spicy it almost smells like you’re snorting pepper. The ash fell off very clean-like, and the cigar has a perfect draw, and a perfectly even burn.
Second Third: This is the spiciest cigar I have ever smoked. It tastes like I took a jar of cayenne pepper and poured it in my mouth, and snorted it up my nose. Granted I looove spicy smokes, this is by far the spiciest I have experienced. The flavors haven’t changed much…the cigar doesn’t seem that complex, though the consistent leather and earthiness are a real treat. The cigar has naturally ashed three times at this point.
Final Third: The cigar was consistent and true to its form thus far. Still no complexity or flavor changes, but the flavors it exhibits it does well. The cigar ashed 4 times throughout the whole smoke, not bad for a robusto. Still extremely spicy, and there is a perfect, light grey ash. I’m not a fan of CAO products, but if this cigar was ever mass produced, I’m sure I’d own a box.
Conclusion: This was a phenomenal smoke and being in the company of a celebrity’s kin-folk, great conversation complemented the cigars uniqueness. My favorite smokes having criollo wrappers, the leather and earthiness exhibited by this cigar were right up my alley. It’s truly unfortunate CAO never released this cigar publically, it truly was a gem to experience…and I don’t say that about many CAO’s, not to mention the construction was flawless, and there was a perfectly even burn the whole time.
