CAO Gold Maduro

Size: Corona (5.5 x 42)
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Maduro (Brazillian)
Filler: Nicaraguan
MSRP: Approx $5.50

       I got these CAO Gold Maduros on a steal, and was enthusiastic about writing my review for them, as several sites had high rankings. The wrapper is a very dark, beautiful Brazilian. The bands are attractive, but not obnoxious. Before you even light the cigar, you can smell the stereotypical maduro flavors floating off the wrapper - a hint of cocoa and leather, mixed with a barnyard smell.

       Right off the light you get a strong taste of bitter cocoa, with a slightly woodsy aftertaste. There was a slightly spicy undertone which I have come to associate with nicaraguan wrappers. Moving into the second third, you start to notice the spices become mixed in with the smoke. The spices weren't regular or consistent, which kept things interesting - you never knew what you were going to get on your next puff! The predominant flavors in the second third were identical to the first third, however - bitter cocoa with a woodsy aftertaste.

       As you approach the final third, and up until the nub, the cocoa taste fades out and is replaced by a very smooth, leathery taste which coats the mouth, removing the spices that faded in and out during the second third; these spices still show up from time to time, however, but very infrequently.

       The burn was razor-sharp, requiring no touch-ups whatsoever. The ash held on for a good inch and a half, which is respectable in a corona-sized cigar. However, sliding the band off was impossible without damaging the wrapper - having smoked a couple of these already, they were the same as well - which was a disappointment. The draw was consistent and relatively easy.

       Overall the cigar was tasty as far as maduros go, but nothing to rave about. It certainly does not deserve its MSRP of $5.50-$6.00, but something closer to $3.

Overall: 3.8/5
Final Grade (factors in price): 3.5/5