CAO Brazilia Box-Press Cigar Review
Back in 1989 when I first started my career at JR Cigar, CAO was a company made famous for their beautifully hand-carved, highly collectible Meerschaum smoking pipes from Turkey. Several years later, in the mid to late 1990s, CAO turned all their attention to crafting fine handmade premium cigars. Move the clock forward to today, and the CAO name represents a large portfolio of highly regarded, innovative blends that use some of the rarest and best tobaccos available in the world.
This time around, I decided to revisit one of the most intriguing of them all, the CAO Brazilia Cigars, namely, the CAO Brazilia Box-Press that weighs in at a hefty 5.50 × 55 size. I had smoked many of these sticks before, but it’s been awhile, so, today was the perfect time to spark up one of these box-pressed gems again with my trusty dual flame torch lighter.
The Blend and Packaging
Wrapper: Brazil
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Full-Bodied
Packaging: Boxes of 20, Packs of 10, or Packs of 5
Pre-Light
The cigar was solidly packed, and the hand feels detected no obvious soft or hard spots. The rich, evenly colored deep, brown Brazilian wrapper had very tight seams, a nice oily patina, and displayed no blemishes or imperfections. The draw was effortless while providing pre-light nuances of wood, hay, and musty earth.
First Third
The first inch started off as I remembered, a powerful jolt of cayenne pepper that would force a less experienced smoker to quickly decide if this stick could be negotiated without becoming lightheaded or dizzy. From past experience, patience always pays off though, because, after the initial jolt, Brazilia quickly evolves into a tamer cigar that even a newcomer could handle, providing that it was smoked on a full stomach. This tamer transition provided notes of wood, earth, and cedar, with cayenne pepper less forcefully lingering in the background.
Second Third
The second third offers a multitude of complex flavors that take turns being the dominant top note. This includes black pepper, cocoa, warm spices, leather, earth, and cream. At this marker, the box-pressed shape is performing like a champ with crisp even burn and only one slight touch-up required with my torch lighter. It remains a full-bodied smoke that’s just begging to be paired with my favorite dark imported ale or Scotch whiskey. Had I not lit this gem at 11 am, these would be my choice of alcoholic drink pairings. That said, a piping hot cup of fine premium dark roast coffee offered another wonderful coupling, that was far more appropriate for the time of day.
Final Third
At this final stage, subtle hints of anise, maple, and a brown sugar-like sweetness, join the party and makes this complex full-bodied experience even more delectably engaging. I’m happy to report that no further touch-ups were required, and this tapestry of tantalizing tasting notes remained perfectly balanced, and fragrant right down to the undeniably smooth and creamy taste provided by the nub. I call this type of stick “a real thumb burner” because I wanted to draw out every ounce of flavor before retiring this uber- tasty stick to my ashtray.
Summary
- If you’re on the hunt for a bold, yet exceptionally flavorful handmade premium cigar that’s truly unlike any other, then, this gem is a must-try.
- As for CAO Cigar fans, the Brazilia is a wonderful addition to your humidor if you’ve already smoked the brand’s highly revered World Cigar Series that includes CAO America, Colombia, Nicaragua, and Italia.
- CAO Brazilia Boxed Pressed Cigars are flawlessly rolled, affordable, and offers plenty of “oomph” for well-seasoned smokers along with a decadent experience for those daring enough to move up a few notches in strength. Either way, it’s a cigar that’s certain to become an integral part of your daily rotation. So, place an order for some right here at JR Cigar and expect to be highly impressed with this distinctive and exceptionally rich blend from CAO!
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