Reviews by Sean G.

The CAO brand holds a special place in my heart. In the early 2000s, as an amateur looking for his first cigar, the bright green and yellow of the CAO Brazilia caught my eye. I mean, how could it not? And fortunately, my choice paid off. I picked up a few sticks and never looked back. Now, nearly decades later, I’m picking up CAO Nicaragua with the same youthful excitement I had in the past. How can this possibly live up to expectations?

In terms of looks, CAO Nicaragua isn’t much of a departure from Brazilia (or any of the other “World Series”). Even so, it feels so fresh. How it took so long to incorporate Nicaragua into this series is anyone’s guess, but it’s long overdue…and welcome. The core of the blend are well-aged long-fillers from the Jalapa Valley, Esteli, and Condega. This beauty is then finished with a smooth, dark Honduran Jamastran wrapper leaf. Ok, CAO. You’ve passed the looks test. Now let’s fire it up…

Lighting up the Tipitapa size (4.8”x50), I’m met with a smooth spice and notes of cedar and earth. As the cigar progresses, the spice subsides a bit and the cedary and earthy notes become more pronounced with additional notes of almonds coming through. Damn, this thing is good.

What struck me the most is the cigar’s balance. I burned down three sticks for this review. The first cigar I finished felt like it only lasted 15 minutes. In reality, it was closer to 45 minutes. I wanted more. Nay, I needed more! And that’s what makes this so great. You can sit around with a more complex - and more expensive - blends and fret over the subtle changes and seemingly made up tasting notes (see: strawberry milk, ketchup, or Sour Cream & Onion Pringles). But that’s not what CAO Nicaragua is. It’s a cigar that allows you to get lost in your thoughts, sit back, and most importantly: relax. After all, isn’t that what cigars were made for?

Look, I’ve never been into cigar reviews. Who the hell cares what some semi-bald, big-headed nerd thinks about a bunch of cigars? Right? But then it dawned on me. Not everyone out there is bombarded with hordes of premium cigars like I am (I know, first-world problems) and works in an environment where their co-workers burn down sticks faster than greased lightning. So I’ll admit it: I was wrong. The people need to know what’s worthwhile in the ever-growing expanse of the cigar universe. And I’m just the man to do it…

The first test-subject on the docket? Villazon Maduro. On paper, this one checks all the boxes. Pedigree? Check. These puppies are rolled at the famous Villazon factory (now renamed HATSA), where the likes of Punch and Hoyo de Monterrey are made. Price point? Check. These bundled beauties just landed here and start at a paltry $2 a cigar. Inexpensive, premium handmades from the industry’s most legendary factory? You have my attention.

Full disclosure: maduro-wrapped cigars are my go-to. No matter what, I was probably going to like this cigar more than the average cigar enthusiast. But believe me when I say it: this warlock is legit. Boasting a four-country, long-filler blend, this gem is as complex as they come. This potent cocktail is then finished with a thick, smooth Broadleaf maduro. The final product provides a fairly stereotypical maduro flavor up front; chocolaty, rich, etc. But as things progress, the blend gradually adds spice as you burn it down. Mix that with the richness of the wrapper and notes of cedar, earth, and citrus and you have a flavor firecracker that’s easily worth price of admission.