Aaron Loomis

 Seth Geise

Pre-light Experience

Aaron: The wrapper on the CAO FASA Sombra Toro is medium tan and has some raised veins present along with some largely raised veins protruding from beneath the wrapper. The seams are a bit raised and the caps well applied. There are two bands, both in a blue and gold color combination. The primary denotes the brand and line, while the foot denotes the sub-line. The aroma from the wrapper is a faint mix of cedar and hay, while the foot brings bread, cedar and earth. The pre-light draw is very snug and brings cedar, hay and mild spice along with a mild spiciness on my lips.
Seth: The CAO FASA Sombra Toro is finished with a wrapper that is Claro in coloring. There is some light golden hay colorings with some greenish hues present. Some Natural to Colorado aspects as well. The wrapper is slightly silky in texture with veins present to touch. Veins are medium in size and scattered throughout. The wrapper has a light aroma of hay, tobacco and wood, while the foot gives off notes of rich earth, stone fruit, tobacco and spices.

CAO FASA Sombra Toro

First Third

Aaron: The cigar begins with a draw that is so snug, I’m not getting much smoke through the cigar. What does come through brings toasted cedar, earth and some leather. At a quarter inch in, some construction paper becomes present. The retrohale is construction paper, toasted cedar and earth. As the third comes to a close, the toasted cedar and construction paper are even up front, with earth in the middle of the profile and some leather in the background. The strength was mild medium.
Seth: The first third starts out with soft wood and hay notes. There is some faint creaminess with a musty barnyard and mushroom quality. Faint coffee bean qualities are present on the finish, and it has touches of earth. Just under medium in strength and body.

CAO FASA Sombra Toro

Second Third

Aaron: As the second third begins, the construction paper now has a bit of a lead over the toasted cedar. At a half inch in, the earth increases a bit. The retrohale remains construction paper, toasted cedar and earth. As the third comes to a close, the construction paper is a bit ahead of the toasted cedar, with earth a bit further behind and some leather in the background. The strength remained at mild-medium.
Seth: The second third improves some and I am getting wood, hay and barnyard notes. Coffee bean and cream qualities are present and there is a touch of spice with the earth notes. Not much, but some. Like before, the cigar is just under medium in strength and body.

CAO FASA Sombra Toro

Final Third

Aaron: As the final third begins, some dry hay joins the profile. At a half inch in, some wood bitterness becomes present. The retrohale is now construction paper, toasted cedar earth and zingy black pepper. At an inch in, the wood bitterness has bumped up to become even with the earth. At an inch and a quarter, a musty vegetal note joins in to match with the earth and wood bitterness. As the cigar wraps up, the construction paper is up front, with toasted cedar right behind, the earth, wood bitterness and musty vegetal note a bit further behind, dry hay behind the middle of the profile and some leather in the background. The strength bumped up to slightly below medium.
Seth: The final third is fairly in line with the second. Wood, hay and barnyard notes. The creamy qualities are softer than before, and I am getting more coffee beans and earth notes. Touches of spice with some minerals and mushroom notes. Somewhat musty on the finish. Like before, just under medium in strength and body.

CAO FASA Sombra Toro

Burn

Aaron: The burn was straight throughout, and the ash held on in inch and three quarter increments.
Seth: The burn was perfect from beginning to end.

CAO FASA Sombra Toro

Draw

Aaron: The draw was just shy of plugged for most of the cigar, but opened up a bit in the last inch.
Seth: The draw was perfect throughout the cigar.

Overall

Aaron: The cigar began with toasted cedar, earth and some leather. Some construction paper joined in fairly quickly. The second third saw the construction paper take the lead in the profile and the earth increased a bit. The final third saw some dry hay join in. Later some wood bitterness became present and then a musty vegetal note. The draw was so snug for most of the cigar, it was hard to get a decent level of smoke delivery. The CAO FASA Sombra Toro was a bit of a chore to smoke due to the extremely tight draw. The flavors presented were OK, but I’m not sure if this is what a properly drawing cigar would deliver or not. I believe the way the cigar finished with the wood bitterness and musty vegetal note were due to the draw and how it effected the underlying burn. Nothing here that intrigues me to return.
Seth: 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. Then again, I don’t know many CAO smokers anymore. This is really a General blend that became a CAO offering.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

4.28

Cost/Point

$1.63

Scoring System

Seth Geise

SCORE

5.75

Cost/Point

$1.22

Scoring System

Team Cigar Review: CAO FASA Sombra Toro