CAO La Traviata Devino

CAO La Travata Devino

5 x 50 Robusto

Made in Mexico          
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Binder: Cameroon

Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican

Drink: Diet Pepsi with Jack Daniels

I have the Radiante (Toro) sitting in my humidor, but was gifted this Devino (Robusto), and thought I would try this one first, as I find cigars with a Cameroon binder to be on the strong side.  Adding to the strength it's supposed to have two different ligero fillers, one from Nicarauaga and Dominican Republic

It has a nice barnyard pre-light aroma.  The wrapper is very oily, and shiny.  This cigar 'looks' good, but I have been fooled by that many times.

Right off the bat, I'm pummeled by pepper.  Caused a few sneezing attacks.  Less then an inch in the pepper settles down, and I get a predominant nutty flavour which is delicious.  Every now and then I get some strong leather added in.  I like leather in my sticks, but in this case I wish it wasn't.  The nutty flavour is that good.

The flavour is consistent from start to finish.  On the whole I found the cigar quite dry, despite reviews of it having a creaminess.  Usually when I have Jack Daniels with a cigar it enhances any creamy flavours, but it just wasn't there for me.  I also did get some ammonia from it, but not enough to take away from my overall enjoyment.

The ash was also very flaky, not taking much to jar the ash off, or chunks to flake off.

It's labeled as strong in strength, and I would agree.  By the half way point I was feeling it, and really took my time on the second half.  I would have liked to nub it, but was feeling overwhelmed.  Glad I didn't reach for the larger Radiante stick.

A very good cigar, that I would recommend, but maybe not for someone new, unless you're prepared to not smoke the whole thing.

CAO Cameroon Box Pressed Robusto

CAO Cameroon - Box Pressed 

Robusto 5.5 x 50

Wrapper: West African Cameroon

Binder & Filler: Nicaraguan 

Paid: $11 CDN from local Holy Smokes (Loblaws Superstore) 

Drink: Diet Pepsi

Smoked this one a few days ago, and never got a chance to post about it.

I continue to try and find a Non-cuban I can love, and hold to call my own.  The box press is very cool looking, and feels great in the hand.  It has a rich chocolate aroma coming off the wrapper, and is very well made.

I clipped this one a little too much, and the draw was very loose, though as you'll see, I don't realize it till later.  I started smoking it, and it was really hot, and dry.  I went through half the cigar, and was getting no flavour.  Just bland smoke.  I was about to set this thing down, when I decided to change up how I smoked it.

I began to draw really slow.  This change up made a huge difference.  It was then that I realized that I opened it up to much, and/or was drawing to hard on it.  With the slow controlled draw I all of a sudden had a very sweet creamy flavour, that I would describe as caramel.  There was also a wood flavour in there too.

Shortly after the last third, I unfortunately had to walk away from this thing right as I was enjoying it.  I was just overwhelmed by it's strength, and had to go lay down.  I've never been that f*cked off a cigar.  I felt a huge weight in my stomach that lasted well into the next day.  I think the loose draw, mixed with a strong draw was my downfall.  It's said to be a medium strength cigar, but sure seemed very strong.

I really want to try this one again down the road with a slower/tighter draw, and really take it easy.  I think it may be a really good smoke, but perhaps not for a newer smoker.  I'll keep my eye out for a deal.

Cusano 59 Rare Cameroon Robusto Review

Cusano 59 Rare Cameroon 
Robusto 5x50
Made in Dominican Republic
Wrapper: African Cameroon
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Domincan with a wrapper leaf.

Price: $10 CDN - These were on special, regular $12.

Age: Purchased early February from Cigar Studio, and sat in my humidor for a few weeks.

Drink: Ice Water & Diet Pepsi with Spiced Rum

The cigar lit well, but my torch lighter started to die, and I had to get the flame right on it to get it going.  This also caused an uneven burn right off the hop.  The first few draws were harsh. My first thoughts were, 'This is going to be brutal'. After it settled down, I got a predominant wood flavour, like cedar.  It also had a sweet taste in there with some spiciness.  The burn also evened out nicely by itself after several more draws.

I found I had to really slow my pace.  Taking shallow to medium draws, and not letting to much in or out my nose really allowed the wood flavour to come out, and be enjoyed.  Otherwise a nice full draw came off as really caustic, and harsh.  

At about the half way point, I got a little distracted, and slowed down for a bit. I was surprised it went completely out on me.  After the relight, it was crap tasting really harsh, and ashy.  I ended up digging out the ash to about the last third, and gave it another relight.  This worked, and the wood flavours were out again, but I still kept getting the occasional harsh draw.  A few times I had to gargle some water, and breath in some fresh air to clean out the taste.  I also got a really dry for the final third.

The smoke that came off was fairly thick, but had a fairly bad aroma, one I would relate to a stinky cheap cigar.  I often enjoy the aroma of the lingering smoke, and have no problem temporarily walking through the house with a cigar, but not the case here.  Definitely one I would keep out doors.

I smoked it down to the nub.  All in all I would say it was an OK experience, that may have been better had the cigar not gone out half way through.  The predominant flavour is definitely woody, with sweetness, and spice from start to finish.  I got a moderate nicotine buzz near the end, that bordered on uncomfortable. 

There is nothing that would make me want to go out, and buy more, especially considering there is so much out there to try, and the expense involved.