Pre-light Experience

The wrapper on the CAO Vision is light brown but has lots of darker spots, including the slightly raised veins carrying a darker color. The seams are smooth and the double cap is well applied. The cigar has two bands, both with a holographic silver and white color combination. The primary band denotes the line and has a large V, while the foot designates the brand. The aroma from the wrapper is a mix of wood and earth while the foot brings wood, peach sweetness and mild spice. The pre-light draw brings more of the wood and peach sweetness.

First Third

The cigar begins with musty wood. At a half inch in, a trailing black pepper has joined the profile. The retrohale brings a profile that is wood forward with just a light mustiness. The third wraps up with musty wood up front with light black pepper in the background. The strength was slightly below medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the black pepper, although light, does have a very long finish. At a half inch in, the black pepper has picked up and is now right behind the musty wood. The retrohale is almost a mirror image, but has the black pepper slightly further behind. The third wraps up with the black pepper right behind the musty wood. The strength in this third bumped up to medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the wood gains a light char that also brings some bitterness. At a half inch in, some dry earth joins the profile. The retrohale is a mix of toasted, musty wood and dry earth. The cigar wraps up with the charred and musty wood and dry earth up front with a light bitterness and black pepper in the background. The strength in this third bumped up to slightly above medium.

Burn

The burn was straight the entire way and the ash held on in inch and a half increments.

Draw

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

Overall

The flavor profile was pretty basic as it was focused around musty wood and black pepper. The last third fell of a bit as the wood gained a charred note with light bitterness. I never smoked the original so I can’t say how it compares, but this CAO Vision was a fairly average experience overall. I can see it appealing to a wide range of smokers that gravitate to this basic type of profile, but I need something more to maintain my attention. With the experience I had, combined with the high price point, I don’t really see myself returning to this cigar.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.40

Cost/Point

$3.52

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: CAO Vision