(Description provided by General Cigar)
CAO is completing the FASA trilogy with the release of FASA Sombra, the third cigar in the series. Designed as a smooth, shade-grown complement to FASA Sol and FASA Noche, Sombra rounds out the lineup with a nuanced smoking experience that’s ideal for those new to the category.
Cory Beardsley, brand manager for CAO, explains, “FASA Sombra was created to bring the FASA lineup full circle. With Sol, we delivered a bold sun-grown expression. With Noche, a rich maduro profile. And now with Sombra, we’ve crafted a refined, shade-grown smoke that’s smooth yet layered. The FASA trilogy now offers the ideal smoking experience; morning, noon or night.”
FASA Sombra features an Ecuadorian shade-grown wrapper, a Cameroon binder and a filler blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos. This combination delivers a refined, approachable smoke with balance and complexity while maintaining a smooth draw.
Handcrafted at General Cigar Dominicana, FASA Sombra will be available in two sizes: Toro (6 X 50) and Gigante (6 X 60), both packaged in 24-count boxes. The suggested retail price will range from $6.99 to $7.99 per cigar.
Available in 2 sizes:
CAO FASA Sombra Toro (6” x 50) – SRP per cigar $6.99
CAO FASA Sombra Gigante (6” x 60) – SRP per cigar $7.99
The cigar is a light shade of brown and has an average feel in the hand.
The test draw after cutting the cap was good with some firmness. There is a lot of hay on the cold draw. The initial flavors at light take about 4 minutes to develop. They are spiced pear, brown sugar, sweet cream, and leathery black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 to 7 1/2. Not a great start. The cigar needs to develop.
At the first third (26 minutes) the ash is still intact and very tight. The flavors have morphed. The notes are now citrus peel, citrus, brown sugar, black coffee, and a lot of earthiness. The finish is brown sugar and hay with good lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied. The sweet notes are ok but they are not grabbing me. I rated the first third 90.
Moving through the second third (58 minutes) the notes were citrus peel, a little brown sugar, bitterness, earthiness, black coffee, and some underlying cream. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is black coffee with citrus peel and very good lingering black pepper. The bitterness and earthiness are hurting the cigar. I rated the second third 86.
The cigar lasted 1 hour 34 minutes. The cigar made one of the biggest changes I've ever seen. It was the best it's been in the final third. It should not work that way. It's too late in the game for a big turnaround. But, the notes I had were a nice citrus, a lot of brown sugar, and earthy black coffee. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is black coffee with a little citrus and very good lingering black pepper. The notes are working well. I rated the final third 92. There is a huge difference between the second and final thirds. If you can make it through the second third you are in for somewhat of a treat in the final third. Overall, this cigar did not impress me. Last year I reviewed the FASA Sol which scored 91.33 and the FASA Noche which scored a 93.33. The FASA Sombra was my least favorite.
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