The CAO Flathead V554 Camshaft measures 5 1/2x54 with a very dark, Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper featuring a smooth texture and a toasty aroma. In this cigar there are Nicaraguan binder and fillers. This new line from CAO was just released in 2013 and has a lot of hype. Let's get it lit up and see what it's all about.
When you get the cigar lit up, you immediately get very deep earth/grass flavors and on the finish, you get some floral notes with a very mild spice. The flavors are very light at this point, but you can tell that it's a full strength cigar. The burn is very even, it has a nice snug draw, and it's producing a lot of good thick smoke.
The 2/3's point brings more of a sweet, oily chocolate flavor with a spicy earth flavor on the finish. I did get a hint of peat, but it only lasted for a couple of seconds. I mentioned above that the flavors were light, and through this point, it seems they are getting a little bit lighter. The cigar is increasing in strength as we head into the 3/3 point.
3/3's to the end only brings a slight change, and it's a little nut flavor that has come in. So through this point, I'm getting a sweet, oily nutty flavor with a mild spicy/earthy finish. Overall, this cigar didn't impress me. The only reason is that I'm not a fan of cigars that focus more on strength than flavor, and that's what this stick seemed to do.
Stogie Rite score: 80
CAO Mx2 Toro
The CAO Mx2 Toro measures 6x54 with a very dark brown Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. The cigar features a Brazilian Maduro wrapper as the binder and fillers from Nicaragua, Honduras, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. Let's get this very robust-looking cigar lit up.
When you get the cigar lit up, you get a very sweet black pepper flavor with notes of soil on the finish (mild spice). Through this 1/3 point, the burn isn't even (not uneven enough to touch it up), but the draw is nice and snug and it's producing great smoke. The flavors stay consistent through the beginning of the cigar. Let's see what we get entering the next point.
The 2/3's point still has the sweet peppery flavors, but there is a chocolate starting to mix in. On the finish, the soil notes have left and been replaced by a sweet tobacco flavor. The spice is getting stronger through this point, but not overpowering. At this point, the burn has evened out and the draw and smoke output are still good.
3/3's to the end brings a very chocolate/soil flavor with a creamy coffee on the finish. The spice has gone away at the end of this stick. Overall a nice stick offering complex flavors, good aroma, nice draw, a nice even burn, good smoke output, and flawless construction. I recommend you go and pick up this cigar.
Stogie Rite score: 96
When you get the cigar lit up, you get a very sweet black pepper flavor with notes of soil on the finish (mild spice). Through this 1/3 point, the burn isn't even (not uneven enough to touch it up), but the draw is nice and snug and it's producing great smoke. The flavors stay consistent through the beginning of the cigar. Let's see what we get entering the next point.
The 2/3's point still has the sweet peppery flavors, but there is a chocolate starting to mix in. On the finish, the soil notes have left and been replaced by a sweet tobacco flavor. The spice is getting stronger through this point, but not overpowering. At this point, the burn has evened out and the draw and smoke output are still good.
3/3's to the end brings a very chocolate/soil flavor with a creamy coffee on the finish. The spice has gone away at the end of this stick. Overall a nice stick offering complex flavors, good aroma, nice draw, a nice even burn, good smoke output, and flawless construction. I recommend you go and pick up this cigar.
Stogie Rite score: 96
CAO Concert Roadie
The CAO Concert Roadie measures 5 1/4x54 with a dark brown Ecuadorian Habano wrapper that has a light sandpaper feel to it. This cigar features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper and 4 different Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers. You can pick this cigar up for around $7. Let's get it reviewed.
When you get the cigar lit up, you get a creamy earth/tobacco flavor with a long peppery finish (minimal spice). Through the 1/3 point, the cigar is bouncing back and forth from tobacco flavors to earthy flavors. The finish is staying consistent. The burn is nice and even, the draw is very easy, and it's producing good smoke.
The 2/3's point brings a nutty flavor mixed with a very light pepper. The finish transitions into a tobacco flavor with a very light spice. Through the 2/3 point, the flavors stay consistent. No construction issues so far with this stick. The burn is still dead even, good draw and smoke output as we head into the 3/3 point.
3/3's to the end brings a deep earthy flavor with a very spicy charcoal flavor on the finish. This stick goes out with a bang. Overall a great stick and it's the weekend recommendation! Be sure to go pick one up!
Stogie Rite score: 94
When you get the cigar lit up, you get a creamy earth/tobacco flavor with a long peppery finish (minimal spice). Through the 1/3 point, the cigar is bouncing back and forth from tobacco flavors to earthy flavors. The finish is staying consistent. The burn is nice and even, the draw is very easy, and it's producing good smoke.
The 2/3's point brings a nutty flavor mixed with a very light pepper. The finish transitions into a tobacco flavor with a very light spice. Through the 2/3 point, the flavors stay consistent. No construction issues so far with this stick. The burn is still dead even, good draw and smoke output as we head into the 3/3 point.
3/3's to the end brings a deep earthy flavor with a very spicy charcoal flavor on the finish. This stick goes out with a bang. Overall a great stick and it's the weekend recommendation! Be sure to go pick one up!
Stogie Rite score: 94
Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature
The Aturo Fuente Hemingway Signature measures 6x47 with a perfecto shape. The cigar features Dominican fillers and a Cameroon wrapper with a very earth aroma to it. Featuring a medium tight pack, and a very smooth wrapper, this Arturo Fuente looks like a good one.
When you get the cigar lit up, you get a nutty/peppery flavor with a deep spice on the finish. The finish keeps the same flavors as you get on the initial draw, but there is a little mint mixed in. The flavors are very rich, which always adds a lot to the experience. With this cigar you get a nice even burn, a good draw, and a lot of smoke production.
The 2/3's point brings a little change to the flavor. The nut that you get in the 1/3 fades away and is replaced with an earthy flavor mixed with some soil. The spice on the finish has mellowed out along with the minty flavors. The ash is pretty weak, it doesn't hold out long so be careful with that. Through this point, the burn is still nice and even, the draw is still easy, and it's producing good smoke.
3/3's to the end keeps the earthy flavors but brings the nut back. The finish has a very bitter tobacco flavor to it with no spice. A good stick once again from Aturo Fuente, offering nice complex flavors, a good aroma, and nice construction. This stick is definitely worth a try.
Stogie Rite score: 95
When you get the cigar lit up, you get a nutty/peppery flavor with a deep spice on the finish. The finish keeps the same flavors as you get on the initial draw, but there is a little mint mixed in. The flavors are very rich, which always adds a lot to the experience. With this cigar you get a nice even burn, a good draw, and a lot of smoke production.
The 2/3's point brings a little change to the flavor. The nut that you get in the 1/3 fades away and is replaced with an earthy flavor mixed with some soil. The spice on the finish has mellowed out along with the minty flavors. The ash is pretty weak, it doesn't hold out long so be careful with that. Through this point, the burn is still nice and even, the draw is still easy, and it's producing good smoke.
3/3's to the end keeps the earthy flavors but brings the nut back. The finish has a very bitter tobacco flavor to it with no spice. A good stick once again from Aturo Fuente, offering nice complex flavors, a good aroma, and nice construction. This stick is definitely worth a try.
Stogie Rite score: 95
Liga Privada T52
The Liga Privada T52 toro measures 6x52 featuring a dark, stalk-cut Habano wrapper with a nice, chocolately aroma. The T52 is a follow up to the extremely popular Liga Privada No. 9. Produced by Drew Estate, this cigar features 7 different types of tobacco. With that being said, let's get it lit up.
When you get the cigar lit up, you get a sweet, mossy flavor with a chocolate, leather flavor on the finish. There's a mild spice that lingers on the tongue, not overpowering. The burn is even accompanied by a nice draw and good smoke output.
The 2/3's point brings more earthy flavors to the initial draw. You start to get more of a light grassy, chocolate flavor. On the finish, you get a mix of earth, leather, and a stronger spice. Still, the spice is not overpowering, but it's getting stronger. Through this point, the draw is still nice and easy, the burn is dead even, and the smoke output is still great.
3/3's to the end shows how great of a cigar this really is. It seems all the flavors are mixed. I'm getting spice, leather, earth, cocoa, and some grass. One of the most complex smokes I've had. If you haven't had this stick yet, make sure you do soon!
Stogie Rite score: 100
When you get the cigar lit up, you get a sweet, mossy flavor with a chocolate, leather flavor on the finish. There's a mild spice that lingers on the tongue, not overpowering. The burn is even accompanied by a nice draw and good smoke output.
The 2/3's point brings more earthy flavors to the initial draw. You start to get more of a light grassy, chocolate flavor. On the finish, you get a mix of earth, leather, and a stronger spice. Still, the spice is not overpowering, but it's getting stronger. Through this point, the draw is still nice and easy, the burn is dead even, and the smoke output is still great.
3/3's to the end shows how great of a cigar this really is. It seems all the flavors are mixed. I'm getting spice, leather, earth, cocoa, and some grass. One of the most complex smokes I've had. If you haven't had this stick yet, make sure you do soon!
Stogie Rite score: 100
J.D. Howard Reserve HR52
The J.D. Howard Reserve HR52 measures 6x52 with a toothy Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper. This cigar, produced by Crowned Heads, features an Ecuadorian Binder and a Nicaraguan filler. Coming in with a nice semi-tight pack, and visible veins, we're ready to get it lit up.
When you get the cigar lit up, you get a nice smooth black pepper flavor with a sweet, spicy finish. On the finish you get a mix of cocoa and tobacco flavors. Through this point, the burn is even, the draw is perfect, and it's producing a lot of good smoke.
The 2/3's point brings a creamy tobacco/earth flavor. On the finish, the spice is getting more mild, but a little mint is starting to come in. It's barely noticeable, but it's there. So far, a lot of flavor changes, a great smoke through this point. The burn is still very even, still has a nice draw, and producing good smoke. So far so good
3/3's to the end, you get a real basic tobacco flavor with a spicy, nutty flavor on the finish. The finish lasts a while at the end of the smoke. Good burn, nice draw, and good smoke output accompanied by flawless construction, and great flavor makes it very easy to recommend.
Stogie Rite score: 90
When you get the cigar lit up, you get a nice smooth black pepper flavor with a sweet, spicy finish. On the finish you get a mix of cocoa and tobacco flavors. Through this point, the burn is even, the draw is perfect, and it's producing a lot of good smoke.
The 2/3's point brings a creamy tobacco/earth flavor. On the finish, the spice is getting more mild, but a little mint is starting to come in. It's barely noticeable, but it's there. So far, a lot of flavor changes, a great smoke through this point. The burn is still very even, still has a nice draw, and producing good smoke. So far so good
3/3's to the end, you get a real basic tobacco flavor with a spicy, nutty flavor on the finish. The finish lasts a while at the end of the smoke. Good burn, nice draw, and good smoke output accompanied by flawless construction, and great flavor makes it very easy to recommend.
Stogie Rite score: 90
Foundry: War of Currents Madison
The Foundry War of Currents Madison measures 6x57 with a dark tan, smooth oily wrapper with a rich earthy aroma. From Cigar Aficionado: "Through tobacco and decorative packaging, this new cigar line aims to retell the story of the 19th century scientific rivalry between Thomas Edison, who was a proponent of direct current (DC) electrical power, and Nikola Tesla, who advocated alternate current (AC)." Foundry is definitely one of the most unique cigar companies in the industry. Let's get it lit up.
When you get it lit up, you get a very smooth chocolate, leather flavor with a somewhat strong spice on the finish. The finish is pretty long, so the spice is going to linger for a while. The burn isn't even through the 1/3 point, but the draw is good, and it's producing a lot of smoke.
The 2/3's point brings a little change. The spice on the finish has become a little more mild along with the chocolate flavor. The flavor on the finish has become more of a basic tobacco flavor. Through this point, the finish is still just as long as before. The burn has evened itself out, the draw is still nice, and the smoke output is still producing a lot of smoke.
3/3's to the end, the cigar literally has almost no changes. The only thing I will point out is the spice has gone away. The flavors are still the same (tobacco flavor on the finish, and a leathery earth on the initial draw). A nice smoke featuring a somewhat even burn, a nice draw, and great smoke output. Easy to recommend.
Stogie Rite score: 90
When you get it lit up, you get a very smooth chocolate, leather flavor with a somewhat strong spice on the finish. The finish is pretty long, so the spice is going to linger for a while. The burn isn't even through the 1/3 point, but the draw is good, and it's producing a lot of smoke.
The 2/3's point brings a little change. The spice on the finish has become a little more mild along with the chocolate flavor. The flavor on the finish has become more of a basic tobacco flavor. Through this point, the finish is still just as long as before. The burn has evened itself out, the draw is still nice, and the smoke output is still producing a lot of smoke.
3/3's to the end, the cigar literally has almost no changes. The only thing I will point out is the spice has gone away. The flavors are still the same (tobacco flavor on the finish, and a leathery earth on the initial draw). A nice smoke featuring a somewhat even burn, a nice draw, and great smoke output. Easy to recommend.
Stogie Rite score: 90
Foundry's Compounds, Elements and Musings: Carbon
The Foundry's Compounds, Elements and Musings Carbon measures 5 1/2x60 with a nice dark brown, smooth wrapper. The wrapper has a few visible veins, and a very unique band (one covering a good portion of the cigar, and another at the foot). From Cigar Aficionado: "Foundry's Compounds, Elements and Musings line is also an exercise in creative packaging and interpretation. Giannini chose 12 items from the periodic table of the elements and gave them new meaning in the form of cigars." General Cigar Co. will be releasing 12 new lines consisting of 18 new blends that will be divided to sell half exclusively in brick and mortars and the other half sold online/catalogs.
When you get the cigar lit up, you get a very rich black pepper flavor on the palate. It's safe to say that the black pepper is overpowering, but enjoyable. On the finish, you get a nice creamy, earth flavor but no spice. Through the 1/3 point, the cigar has a dead even burn, a perfect draw, and great smoke output.
The 2/3's point brings a little change to the flavoring. The creamy flavor that you get on the finish has moved to the initial draw to accompany the black pepper flavor. The earth on the finish is still there with a little sweetness. There's a lot of flavor changes/movement so far in this cigar, which make it extremely enjoyable. Through this point, the burn is still dead even, the draw is still nice and easy, and it's still producing good smoke.
3/3's to the end stay the same as the 2/3 point. The black pepper is still on the initial draw, but it's more mild than before. Another great stick from Foundry Cigars. I definitely recommend picking this up at some point.
Stogie Rite score: 95
When you get the cigar lit up, you get a very rich black pepper flavor on the palate. It's safe to say that the black pepper is overpowering, but enjoyable. On the finish, you get a nice creamy, earth flavor but no spice. Through the 1/3 point, the cigar has a dead even burn, a perfect draw, and great smoke output.
The 2/3's point brings a little change to the flavoring. The creamy flavor that you get on the finish has moved to the initial draw to accompany the black pepper flavor. The earth on the finish is still there with a little sweetness. There's a lot of flavor changes/movement so far in this cigar, which make it extremely enjoyable. Through this point, the burn is still dead even, the draw is still nice and easy, and it's still producing good smoke.
3/3's to the end stay the same as the 2/3 point. The black pepper is still on the initial draw, but it's more mild than before. Another great stick from Foundry Cigars. I definitely recommend picking this up at some point.
Stogie Rite score: 95
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