What's new
  • BOTL UPCOMING MAINTENANCE

    Hi Everyone, as mentioned in my introduction post, BOTL needs quite a bit of updating, patching and whatever else I might come across. Over the next few weekends BOTL may be unreachable on occasion as I do migrations or updates, etc. Just be patient - we'll be back! I'll generally try to keep these maintenances until later in the evenings.

CAO Cuban Box Press Italia (Burn Issues)

Thecatch83

I smoke Opus like candy!
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Joined
Feb 23, 2011
Messages
406
Location
Oregon/Tokyo/NAF Atsugi
Got a cheap box sampler of these and decided to fire one up. Nice looking Honduran box press 4 7/8 x 50, decent smelling colorado maduro wrapper.


Initial draw was on the firm side, nothing special palate wise. Dark pepper, earthy tobacco.


First third is beginning to spice up, nice earthy notes, chocolate covered raisins, and coffee flavors with a light pepper finish.


Okay halfway through and the old CAO burn gremlin rears its ugly head yet again. I don't know what they are doing these days with QC, but this stick plugged up bad, and you could feel the knot inside the binder. It's a shame because the profile was really smooth with decent layers of flavor. I doubt I will buy another CAO stick again, and would only smoke one if gifted because I would easily say that there's a 50% chance that it will have burn issues:argh:
 

danthebugman

BoM Nov '10
Rating - 100%
124   0   0
Joined
Dec 30, 2009
Messages
7,365
Location
Joplin, MO
I wouldn't give up on the brand due to the one issue. I've smoked quite a lot of CAO stuff and while I've had some burn issues with a few sticks (notably the MX2, which would be corrected by dry boxing, and the larger Brazilias), I don't believe I've ever had a completely plugged stick. Some of their cigars are among my absolute favorites. Thanks for the review :thumbsup:.

Dan
 

SkinsFanLarry

Craft Beer Addict!
Rating - 100%
78   0   0
Joined
Oct 14, 2008
Messages
14,355
I agree with Dan advice but who really knows where this brand is headed now that it is owned and distributed by General Cigars.
 

jmatkins

BoM January 08
Rating - 99%
159   1   0
Joined
Dec 5, 2006
Messages
10,234
Location
Shrewsbury, Ma
I would also dry box some too. Most of my Brazila would have issues but after some dry out time they would be good.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Top