CAO Concert

“CAO Concert was inspired by the brand’s roots in Nashville,” commented Ed McKenna, CAO’s senior brand manager. “When listening to music at a concert, or even in your own backyard, it’s a great time to sit back, enjoy a great cigar, and enjoy the people you’re with. That’s what Concert is about.” That’s how the introductory press release reads. For those of you who remember CAO from past years, this was a brand founded by the Ozgener family. Tim, who is no longer in the industry, spent many years building up the brand which was headquartered in Nashville. A couple of ears ago he sold out to General, who took over. They have made a few changes, but this is their first new release.

The unusual thing about this frontmark is that each vitola is made in the same length, 5 ½ inches. This allows for an interesting box. The box is made to resemble a classic Marshall amp, with band art that showcases a guitar pick and Fender-style guitars. It makes for interesting packaging that is so important in allowing a cigar to stand out. While the packaging might get you to try the sticks, the cigar itself has to deliver.

Obviously, the first thing you notice about this cigar is the band. Once you remove that band,

(I used to be a band on guy. I would leave the band on until I was close to finishing the cigar. But then Dan Tiant of Tiant Cigar Group suggested that the reason he removed the band prior to lighting was that sometimes the cigar expanded while being smoked. And, when you went to take off the band, it tore the wrapper. I wonder if this is because the band glue is effected by the heat of the smoke. If I am smoking for review, I now generally take the band off before lighting. But, when smoking in general, I am still a band on guy.)

The construction of the cigar is good. It burned very evenly keeping a tight edge. The ash, which held nicely was a grey speckled with black. The draw was open and consistent throughout the stick.

The flavor was a bit disappointing to me. Since the look and construction of the stick were so good, I was expecting more flavor. General Cigar, the manufacturer, says that the stick starts with a spicy kick. I have smoked at least five of these and never once got that kick. For me the cigar was grassy. Int he second third I noticed a creamy feeling that dried out to a dry coffee like taste for the final third. The cigar burned cool was neither light or heavy in the mouth feel and would for be considered a medium bodied or ‘lunch’ cigar. But, while I say medium, you need to know that for me, it just nudged the dial past mild.

This is a new release from CAO. That means they are going to be harder to find and at many different prices. The MSRP is around $9, making it more expensive that it should be. But, a quick search has found it selling for much less at retailers not just on-line merchants. I still have a few left, and will continue to smoke them. If you can find them at a good price, give one a try.