Comments on: CAO Italia Ciao

By: Bias Tech 1

Bias Tech 1 — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:42:32 +0000

I just wanted to say thanks for such a great review. I live in the UK and most of my smoking time is spent enjoying Cuban cigars, they are legal here but very expensive at about 20 to 30 US dollars for one cigar. UK taxes on all tobacco products are huge. Thanks to your review I have started to try some excellent non-Cuban cigars at great prices (CAO Italia + Brazillia, Padron and Casa Magna are some of my faves) that are not really available or promoted in the UK. You have some really high quality cigars in America that I think are just as good and some even better than the Cuban cigars we have here.

I have just ordered two boxes of CAO Italia Ciao from an American smoke shop.

Thanks again.

By: TheMainMan

TheMainMan — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:43:38 +0000

Smoked one of these earlier while grilling. I love the Brazilia and this smoke was definately good! I had burn issues with it from the start, nothing that wasn’t managable but certainly irritating. Definately an earthy, almost bitter smoke at light up but mellowed dramatically 1/2 through. Picked up on the Thyme but I swear I caught hints of Cherry and Bourbon. While CAO is one of my favorite brands and I love the Brazilia, I’m not sure I would go out of my way for this one…..about an 86 in my book but hey, who am I??

By: Brian Hewitt

Brian Hewitt — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:23:54 +0000

Thanks Shyguy,

Now that is a value-added comment! LOL

By: Shyguy

Shyguy — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:58:06 +0000

This has been one of my favorite robustos in the past. I have had, and loved many prior to this one. Aside from the Anniversario figurados, it is my favorite CAO. It has been a while since I smoked, but I have smoked hundreds, if not thousands in my 24 years of cigar smoking.

In regard the one that I am smoking now, the burn for the first 1/4 was uneven, but has corrected. The draw is perfect and the cigar`s feel is consistent beginning to end – superb workmanship in this single cigar. I would have to reluctantly downgrade this specific smoke for the following reasons:

I remembered this as a heavier cigar, and the last one that I had was smoked at noon, a year or two ago (when they first came out.) I was not drinling anything at the time. This is a better earlier-in-the-day cigar for me. That is because it has gone from the fuller side of medium when lit, to the heavier side of mild at the 1/2 way point. It is now much lighter that I like, but there are nice notes of spice, cinnamon, and is a bit nutty. It is reminiscent of a slightly milder Punch Gran Puro.The flavors are now much more subtle and light than they were 5 to 10 minutes ago.

In the beginning I noticed coffee and coco, but that had faded. I am drinking Labatt Blue, not a heavy beer in my book, so I don`t attribute the lighter flavor to being overpowered by the beverage. It is also smoking a bit faster (though remaining a cool-burning cigar) than I would expect. This is a 40 to 45 minute cigar for me.

I am noticing now at the 2/3 point, that the flavor is again changing some. It is now closer to medium in body, and the flavors have become a bit more pronounced, though still a bit more mild that I prefer. It is now definitely medium in body and there is a nice earthiness and notes of leather.

Given that I have not smoked in several months, I am a bit disappointed that this cigar has not delivered the flavors that I expected, particularly in the middle. The last 1/3 has definitely redeemed itself in my book though. In the future I would expect this line of cigars to be medium in body, and I would as I mentioned, smoke it earlier in the day.

I am now at the ¾ point, and it has remained a medium smoke, but the flavors have intensified. It is not as full-flavored as when I lit it, but if not for the 10 minutes in the middle, this would be the superb cigar that I remembered. I will definitely buy another and hope that the middle section was an anomaly.

I am a thumb and a half away from the finish and I am back to the cinnamon and spice and really loving this finish. By the way, the burn has fully corrected and is laser straight with a very slight dome to the ash – ideal in my book! I am now hoping that I don`t burn my fingers too bad when I finish this cigar!!!!

By: Cigar Review | CAO Italia Novella | The Perfect Draw

Cigar Review | CAO Italia Novella | The Perfect Draw — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 01:50:31 +0000

[...] Stogie Review: Brian Hewitt smoked the Ciao (robusto) and he liked it. “The Italia opened up with a sweet coffee flavor that was quickly followed up by a smooth cocoa flavor with an herbal flavor that resembles thyme. The rest of the first third was a combination of chocolate, sweet cocoa and caramel.” He also got some earthy and leathery notes as well. [...]

By: brianhewitt

brianhewitt — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:26:02 +0000

Thanks guys, glad you enjoyed the review. Sorry I haven’t responded sooner, time is just flying these days, especially with the holidays fast approaching.

Tom, I’ll keep the offer of help in mind. I may be making my first video appearance on the next YQMA.

MonkeyDan, I have tried the Extreme, and it is a pretty good smoke. The funny thing is that my favorite size of those was the little cigarillo. I had a tin of those I blasted through, they were just delicious! I have a source for these cigars, but the supply is dwindling…

Michael, you make a good point on the Tower of Burn. While it’s too late to do it for this week’s review, I’ll keep it in mind going forward.

Give it a shot BadMormon, it’s a good cigar!

By: BadMormon

BadMormon — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:52:07 +0000

Just wanted to say thanks. I Never tried one of these, but now I will.