The CAO Surplus Sweet Robusto is a simple, easygoing cigar that leans heavily on its sweetened cap to define the experience. It doesn't offer a great deal of complexity or evolution, but it remains balanced and enjoyable for those who appreciate sweeter cigars.
Overall, the CAO Surplus Shade Robusto had a solid start with some enjoyable sweetness, creaminess and a touch of chocolate that provided the most interesting part of the smoking experience. Unfortunately, the profile became progressively simpler as the review continued, eventually settling into a largely wood-driven experience without much additional development. For a budget cigar, this offering punches well outside of its price class.
The CAO America Monument had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around the earth and toasted cedar. The bitter construction paper wasn't the greatest addition, but the pepper and creaminess helped to balance it out a bit. Overall, not a cigar that really speaks to me and not something I'd see myself really coming back to.
Overall, the first third of the CAO America 250th Anniversary showed the most promise and complexity, but the cigar steadily simplified as it progressed. Construction was excellent, with no burn interventions required and an ideal draw.
The CAO Italia Ciao started with an average flavor profile but took a step down in the second third and remained that way through to the end. I'm pretty sure the very tight draw just didn't let this profile exhibit what it was supposed to be, as smoke production was low early on and required multiple draws. Unfortunately, I don't think I can really report on what this cigar really is based on the draw issue, and I'm not sure if I'll return to see if I can get a better constructed one.
The CAO Surplus Maduro Robusto had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around earth and toasted cedar. The black pepper built up as the cigar went along and the creamy cocoa was a nice touch. While this isn't a cigar I'd come back to with any real frequency, this is a fantastic bundle and budget cigar. The score matches up with many cigars that are priced 5 to 10 times what this costs. If you are a smoker on a budget, you'd be hard pressed to find a cigar that performs better than this at around the two dollar mark.
A great first third featuring balanced cocoa, roasted nuts, minerals and leather with a nice medium full body. Unfortunately, the cocoa and roasted nuts tapered off on the last two thirds which made the experience go from good to average. Hopefully this CAO Flathead Speed Shop V654 Crankshaft is around five bucks so that I can just pitch it after the first third.
The CAO Arcana Stokk had an average flavor profile throughout although it had the unique components of the smoky oak and smoky meatiness. I've always been intrigued by this style of cigar, but it seems very hard to put it all together and have it deliver a full cigar that is enjoyable as it usually ends up as a profile that only excels in small doses and this cigar was no different. The combination just didn't lend itself to this size of cigar and it isn't something I'd see myself returning to.
The CAO FASA Sombra Toro was not a bad cigar, but it was lacking. The flavor profile never took off, and I felt it was underwhelming for a modern Connecticut. I think it’s a cigar that a lot of new smokers could smoke, nice introductory cigar, but at the same time not a brand or line that is going to speak to those smokers. I don’t see retailers pushing this cigar. I also don’t know many CAO smokers that are going to go out and grab this cigar.
The CAO FASA Noche Toro had a nice start as the chalky cocoa provided a pleasant accent. As it departed in the second third, the profile took a step down and remained that way for the remainder of the cigar. This cigar had a profile that showed through some of the homogenized flavors that were present and typical of STG releases that I experience. Around the middle of the cigar, the profile succumbed to the homogenized components, but I think there is still a good flavor profile hidden in there.