Pre-light Experience

The wrapper on the CAO Flathead V21 Carb is dark brown, with a fine tooth and a couple of raised veins present. The seams are fairly smooth while the two caps have edges that are lifting a bit. The band is black, red and white and denotes the brand, line and version. The aroma from the wrapper is musty earth and light cocoa powder while the foot brings sweet wood and peanuts. The pre-light draw brings musty, stale cedar along with a mild spiciness on my lips.

First Third

The cigar begins with musty, dry oak and light baking spice. At three quarters of an inch, a light chalkiness joins the profile as the baking spice departs. The retrohale is musty oak and chalkiness. At an inch and a half, the oak gains a light toast. The third wraps up with musty, lightly toasted oak and chalkiness. The strength is slightly below medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, a light, dry earth joins the profile. At a half inch in, the dry earth has become even with the musty, toasted cedar while the chalkiness is just behind. The retrohale is musty, toasted oak and dry earth. As the third comes to a close, the profile is musty, toasted oak and dry earth even as the chalkiness is no longer present. The strength in this third bumped up to medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the dry earth takes a slight lead in the profile. The retrohale is an even mix of musty, toasted oak and dry earth. As the cigar wraps up, the cigar has maintained its profile of dry earth slightly ahead of the musty, toasted oak. The strength in this third bumped up to slightly above medium.

Burn

The burn was slightly wavy throughout and the cigar went out twice, requiring re-lights. The ash held on in about inch and a half increments.

Draw

The draw was perfect, with just the right amount of resistance that I prefer.

Overall

The cigar had a flavor profile focused around musty, toasted oak and dry earth. There was some baking spice and chalkiness at the beginning, but they dropped out by the halfway point. 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

SCORE

5.45

Cost/Point

$2.57

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: CAO Flathead V21 Carb