Cain F – Smooth and Strong

Reaching into the humidor for tonight’s smoke I found a Cain F Torpedo.  And, it was indeed a great find.  Cain is the product of the Studio Tobac division of Oliva cigars.  Oliva, a few years back, began experimenting with different blends.  The experimentation was all done in this division and it has resulted in some great cigars.  Last year, 2011, they arranged a tour and had some not available to the public sticks at their tour stops.  Some of what they experiment becomes part of regular lines, like the Cain.  Since they are repeating the tour for 2012, you should find an event and enjoy the cigars.

Cain is a line that is made of ligero tobacco, each different sub-line wiht a slightly different blend.  The F line is a Nicaraguan puro, comprised of ligero from three different regions.  It is 32% Esteli, 25% Condega, and 25% Jalapa.  Ligero is the leaf at the top of the plant, most exposed to the sun, making it a stronger tobacco.  This gives the Cain line its strong flavor.

The cigar clips and lights easily and is well constructed, burning evenly with a long mixed grey ash.

It has cedary notes from the outset, and is spicy from its first light.  As you move through the first third of the stick, expect a peppery spice and earthy cedar tones to continue.  While definitely a strong cigar, I never found it to be overpowering or bitter.  Towards the end of the smoke, it mellowed out a bit, but the spice remained consistent.

At $8, it is not inexpensive, yet it is a very good smoke worthy of being in your humidor for an every once-in-a while special.  Enjoy, and keeping looking for more interesting sticks from Studio Tobac.