CAO — Last Stick Standing, A

As I wrote about some weeks ago int he Sunday News and Notes section, CAO is running a contest to let the smokers pick their next blend.  They have come out with 3 different blends and made a number of cigars in a 5 1/2 x 54 shape for tasting.  Everyone who attends an event at a local tobacco shop can vote.  They will give you one of each of the three blends labeled C, A, O and you vote for your favorite.  The last stick standing will be added to the CAO line sometime late in 2012 or early 2013.  Everyone who votes can enter a contest to win some free cigars or a trip to Nicaragua to see the CAO factory.

I just received a package of the three sticks in the mail and started with the A, for some unknown reason.  When I first unwrapped this cigar it looked very nice.  A meduim brown wrapper without blemish.  It punched easily and lit without any problem.

The cigar seemed well made.  It held a sharp edge, stayed lit despite my inattention at times, and kept a nice long medium grey ash.  Since this is a limited production just for the taste testing I’m sure that they have taken care to insure that the sticks are very well made.  It shows.

Flavors of this version were quite mild.  It was indeed a pleasant cigar, but lacking lots of complexity.  I prefer a stronger cigar, this one is mild, but most smokers will enjoy this stick.

Since you can’t buy this cigar there is no pricing available.  But, hey, at free you should go to the CAO site and find an event.