(Description provided by General Cigar)
CAO is launching two new collections called CAO FASA Sol and CAO FASA Noche. The lines share the same blend yet offer unique smoking experiences due to their distinctive wrappers.
Ed Lahmann, senior brand manager explains, “We built CAO FASA on a versatile, nuanced blend that combines a Cameroon binder with fillers from the Dominican Republic and three Nicaraguan growing regions. From this foundation, we set out to highlight the importance of the wrapper on the overall experience of the cigar. CAO FASA Sol and CAO FASA Noche could not be more alike, yet they could not be more different. They’re literally like night and day, and still perfect for either occasion. This is what CAO is all about…taking our fans on a journey through the tobaccos we choose.”
CAO FASA Sol and FASA Noche will be available as full-time additions to the CAO portfolio. Both blends will be offered in a Toro (6 x 50; $6.99) and Gigante (6 x 60; 7.99) format, packed in 24-count boxes.
Today we look at the FASA Noche.
CAO FASA Noche is handcrafted at STG Esteli in Nicaragua where artisans crown the blend with a Connecticut-grown Broadleaf wrapper. Its effect on the blend is bold and transformative. The cigar has a medium-bodied and full-flavored profile, layered with nuances of molasses, white pepper, chili powder and dark roast coffee.
The cigar is nicely made and has an average feel in the hand.
The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were apple, citrus peel, brown sugar, dark chocolate, and espresso. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2 to 8. Nice start.
At the first third (25 minutes) the flavors are working very well together. The apple, citrus peel, and brown sugar give a nice sweetness and the dark chocolate and espresso make a solid base. The black pepper is still very good. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is espresso with very good lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 94.
As I moved through the second third (57 minutes) an interesting thing happened. I lost the apple and citrus peel. What's left is brown sugar, dark chocolate, and espresso. So, the cigar has sweetness but where did the apple and citrus peel go? The cigar is still medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. The cigar is not bad but I miss the apple and citrus peel. I rated the second third 92.
The cigar lasted 1 hour 16 minutes. This cigar burned a lot faster than the Sol. I got 18 less minutes out of this cigar than the Sol. But, in the final third I welcomed back the apple and citrus peel notes. They were accompanied by brown sugar, dark chocolate, and espresso. The cigar got back to something I really like. The cigar is now full bodied. The finish is dark chocolate and espresso with very good lingering black pepper. I rated the final third 94. Of the two, this cigar is better than the Sol and well worth trying with a nice price point.
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