Cigar Review: CAO Brazilia
Since I will be interviewing a cigar shop this weekend, I decided it would be appropriate to start with a cigar review for the CAO Brazilia Gol!.
Appearance
The CAO Brazilia has definitely been one of my long time favorites. I consider all CAO’s to be a ‘go-to’ cigar for quality, pleasure and price, but the Brazilia definitely takes the top. It comes presented in a dark, oily Brazilian maduro wrapper with a smooth and solid feel that makes you want to carry it around with you all day. The distinctive yellow, green and dark blue band sporting the CAO diamond logo gives it a high-class athletic appeal. You can almost tell that you are in for a treat by just looking at it.
Construction
Cutting the cap of my Brazilia with a sharp Xikar cutter is a pleasure in itself. The clean, crisp snap tells me that I have a great cut that will provide for the start of a great smoke. The thick, shiny wrapper leaf holds well and does not flake or crumble like some cigars. Slowly toasting the foot brings a nice glowing red amber with ease, a sure tell sign of the even burn that is to follow throughout the life of the cigar. An effortless draw and a solid light-gray ash is what you will expect as you enjoy your smoke.
Flavor Profile
CAO Brazilia Gol!
The Brazilia has a sweet grassy aroma at the foot pre-light. The creamy smoke provides a flavorful long finish on the palate that makes you long for your next puff. As I continued with my Brazilia, I was pleasured by the powerful, ample puffs of smoke that are credited to the strong Nicaraguan binder and filler combined with the almost candy-like Brazilian maduro wrapper. Undertones of earth and hay are accompanied by sweet spice and buttery textures. The Brazilia is a great smoke to the finish.
Dislikes
Overall, I give the CAO Brazilia a rave review. However, through my (fortunate) experience smoking many CAO Brazilias, I have found an occasional cigar with draw dilemmas. CAO uses trusted draw testing devices at the factory, but sometimes I find the draw of the Brazilia to be too tight. When this happens, I find myself battling for a substantial puff of smoke, which can ruin the whole experience.
Solid construction and appearance
Over-humidification can also prove to be a misfortune. When overly moist, the Brazilia can plague you with an uneven burn and hot smoke from the steam that is created, possibly contributed to by the oily wrapper. I almost like to leave my Brazilia sitting out of the humidor and out of its cellophane wrapper for 15 minutes before smoking it to be sure that the cigar is dry and ready to smoke.
Conclusion
The CAO Brazilia Gol! is a medium to full-bodied smoking delight. Quality construction and a distinctive and pleasing flavor are apparent to the last drop. Like all CAO’s, the price is unbeatable for what you are about to experience. Grab a few CAO Brazilias and a few close friends and enjoy the fruits of life—you are in for possibly one of the best cigars you have ever smoked.
