Video review HERE.
(Description provided by General Cigar)
CAO continues to highlight old-world processing methods with the limited return of its Arcana Series. For 2022, a blend called “Firewalker,” which is inspired by the Chincagre method of aging will be released in one, limited edition size.
Applied solely to the Nicaraguan-grown filler tobacco in Firewalker’s blend, Chincagre is an archaic process of primary aging used by local tobacco farmers in Western Nicaragua. There, in the region of Masatepe where the filler is grown, the tobacco is placed into a pilón that is buried deep in the volcanic soil. The subterranean conditions allow the tobacco to ferment naturally, locking in an inherently sweet and aromatic quality. After two months, the Chincagre process is complete, and the pilón is then transferred to the factory for nine months of secondary fermentation.
Rick Rodriguez, CAO’s blender/ambassador said, “The Arcana series is an opportunity for us to unite CAO fans with rare tobacco methods they might not otherwise learn about on their own. This is our way of sparking conversation about what it takes to make a great cigar. We hope it also speaks volumes about our passion for tobacco and the lengths we’ll go to deliver exciting cigars to our fans.”
UPDATE: Shortly before doing this review I learned that Rick Rodriguez is retiring from General Cigar. This is probably the last cigar he will be involved with unless there is something else I don't know about. I would like to wish Rick a happy retirement and good luck in his next venture.
Wrapped in Ecuadoran Habano Rosado, with a Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan filler, CAO Firewalker is a medium-plus-bodied cigar full of depth and character. The experience is unique and layered, melding the traditional spice and vibrant savory notes of Ecuadoran tobacco with an earthy-sweet quality derived from the Chincagre aging of the Nicaraguan filler.
Firewalker (6.5” x 56) will sell for an SRP of $11.99 per cigar. The singular frontmark will be packaged in 20 count boxes and only 5,000 boxes will be made, reserved solely for the U.S. market.
CAO Arcana Firewalker is handcrafted at American Caribbean in Nicaragua.
CAO ARCANA FIREWALKER (6.5” x 56); SRP per cigar $11.99
The cigar's band is huge and runs nearly the length of the cigar, which has an average feel in the hand.
The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were a nice peach with some citrus influence, brown sugar, light nougat, dry nutmeg, and light leather. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Nice start.
At the first third (41 minutes) the flavors are about the same but a little different. I now had light peach notes, even lighter citrus, light brown sugar, very light toffee, thick earthy nutmeg, and a light leather base. The finish is quite a bit of nutmeg, and light peach with pretty good lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied. The cigar has gotten quite earthy and has a lot of nutmeg. I rated the first third 90.
As I moved through the second third (1 hour 10 minutes) there was a little influence of cinnamon. The sweeter notes had a small increase. The lead sweeter flavor is primarily citrus with very light peach notes. The cigar is still medium bodied. The finish is peach, nutmeg, and light leather with very good lingering black pepper. Overall the profile of the cigar improved so I raised the score to 91.
The cigar lasted 1 hour 35 minutes. The earthiness crept back in and increased. Now I had very light peach notes, even lighter citrus, light brown sugar, light rumblings of nougat, out of nowhere there was dry cocoa, cinnamon, increased earthy nutmeg, and leather. Earthy nutmeg is pretty much the main flavor following light sweeter notes. The cigar is medium bodied, leaning toward medium to full. The finish is a little peach, a lot of nutmeg, and light leather and very good lingering black pepper. The cigar took a little turn downward but didn't get ruined. I rated the final third 89.
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