CAO Archives - Page 2 of 5 - Developing Palates - Cigar, Beer and Spirit Reviews and Ratings

Team Cigar Review: CAO Arcana Thunder Smoke

The CAO Arcana Thunder Smoke was a fun cigar from beginning to end. The cigar did not show a lot of transitioning, but there were complex flavors throughout. The burn and draw could use some improvement, but I also believe dry boxing these cigars for a period before smoking will help dramatically. I am not sure how these will age, for some reason I have a feeling the youth is what makes this cigar fun, but who knows. Either way, really enjoyed the blend.

Seth Geise, January 3, 2025

Team Cigar Review: CAO Flathead Resonator

After smoking the CAO Flathead Resonator, I have to say this was one of the more enjoyable large ring gauge offerings I've reviewed. The profile is certainly not going to break the bank in terms of flavor combinations, nor is it much of a stand out in terms of complexity or nuance. But it does provide a pleasant cigar for the entirety of the smoking experience.

John McTavish, June 28, 2024

Team Cigar Review: CAO Amazon Basin Extra Añejo

The CAO Amazon Basin Extra Añejo started well, with a nice combination of flavors, but as the sweetness departed in the second third, the profile became average and remained that way through to the end. I didn't find this version of the cigar on par with the original release. It's a step above the Fuma em Corda, but doesn't reach the level that the original or the Anaconda achieved. I don't see myself coming back to this cigar.

Aaron Loomis, April 17, 2024

Personal Cigar Review: CAO BX3 Robusto

The CAO BX3 Robusto started off fairly mellow, but by the second third, the fullness of flavors really ramped up. The enjoyment level was average throughout. The price point is attractive, but the overall experience doesn't really intrigue me enough to want to come back to this with any real frequency.

Aaron Loomis, March 31, 2023

Personal Cigar Review: CAO Arcana Firewalker

The CAO Arcana Firewalker was fairly mundane throughout. It was a basic flavor profile with not much transitioning and was just boring. The strength did build up as the cigar went along and finished at medium-full. I don't see myself coming back to this cigar.

Aaron Loomis, December 30, 2022

Cigar News: CAO Vision 2022 Announced

While the blend stands on its own, the 30-count humidor brings CAO Vision to the next level. The futuristic-looking presentation comes complete with holographic foil treatments, working LED lights and two push-sensitive drawers that each hold 15 smokes.

Aaron Loomis, October 14, 2022

Personal Cigar Review: CAO Flathead V21 Carb

The CAO Flathead V21 Carb was pretty monotonous and started with a typical General Cigar profile. It built in strength as it went along, but at no time did I find the profile interesting or all that enjoyable. Definitely not a cigar I see myself returning to.

Aaron Loomis, September 23, 2022

Team Cigar Review: CAO Pilón Añejo Robusto

I don’t know what I am doing here, but I dug this CAO Pilón Añejo Robusto! Some cool flavors here and there with a solid core of cocoa, leather, floral and herbal qualities. Great construction! Final third was not as good as the first two thirds, but overall, I thought this was a good cigar.

Seth Geise, August 22, 2022

Personal Cigar Review: CAO Zocalo Robusto

Quite a linear profile of musty cedar and dry earth with the profile becoming quite dry by the midpoint. No complexities or transitions to really speak of. The snug draw was a bit of a downer, but didn't have any ill effects on the performance. The price point is quite attractive, but there's nothing here that would make me want to come back to the CAO Zocalo Robusto.

Aaron Loomis, July 29, 2022

Cigar News: CAO BX3 Announced

Focusing on the primary growing regions of Northeastern Brazil, CAO BX3 is made with sweet and aromatic Mata Fina and hearty, vibrant Arapiraca tobaccos that are used as wrapper, binder, and filler in an exciting, four-country blend.

Aaron Loomis, June 17, 2022