CAO Event/weekend review for July 24th and 25th, 2010

Started the weekend by attending the CAO event at the Maduro Room in Lexington. Matt Dufraine was on hand representing CAO cigars.

(L-R) Mike, Grady, Tim, Matt, Steve, Barrett

"High level" discussion! I can almost hear the squirrels running!

Back bar.

Jim makes a decision!

Mike on the camera.

Steve doing tricks!

Grady Marsh

I had to work fast to get this picture! It clearly shows Mike working. This is rarer than seeing Bigfoot! Why, just look at Randy Fabry's face (red shirt). That pretty much tells the story! Pure disbelief!

Now, on to the weekend reviews. There were 4 cigars reviewed; 3 on Saturday and 1 on Sunday.

• 
  
  Arturo Fuente churchill
• 
  
  Arturo Fuente Spanish Lonsdale
• 
  
  Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story
• 
  
  Quesada Tributo Alvaro

Saturday, July 24th, 2010

The 3 Arturo Fuente cigars that I'm reviewed on Saturday were supplied by Cigars Direct.

Arturo Fuente churchill  (nat.) (7 1/4x48)

Only after I reviewed this cigar did I read up on it and find that it has a Cameroon wrapper. I state that because I did not get any of the traditional Cameroon sweetness and twang when I smoked this cigar. It started off with raw, sweet almond spice and a touch of pepper. The finish was pure raw almonds. The cigar was extremely mild. At the midpoint the spice increased a little. This would be a good cigar for a beginner. I really like Cameroon cigars but this one missed the mark with me.

Score: 84

Arturo Fuente Spanish Lonsdale (nat.) 6 1/2x42)

Fairly intense cinnamon spice with nice pepper. Finish was long with sweet almond notes. After an inch the finish added a thick, custard-like sweetness which was very nice. Some vanilla notes appear. The spice still very strong. Much more pepper than the churchill. Medium bodied. Very good cigar.

Score: 90

Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story (4x48)

Sweet cinnamon spice with vanilla notes. The finish is amazingly long with ultra sweet vanilla notes. Perfect amount of black pepper int he spice. Medium to full bodied. Short cigar but amazing! Definitely one of Fuente's best. A great 45 minute smoke.

Score: 92

Sunday, July 25th, 2010

Quesada Tributo Alvaro (6x52)

Dark brown cigar. Very peppery cinnamon spice with sweet notes. the spice is rather intense. Sweet almond notes appear early on. Finish was semi-sweet almonds and fairly long. Hints of vanilla after 1/2 inch. Predominant flavors are peppery cinnamon. Full bodied. Ash is very tight and dense. After 3/4" the cigar was a combination of cinnamon and vanilla spice with plenty of black pepper. Burn was very even. The cigar stayed pretty consistent after the 3/4" point. Good, flavorful cigar.

Score: 91