CAO Italia Novella Cigar Review
Recently I smoked a couple of these cigars. The first one was unsmokable. Fortunately, the second was much better. Here is my review for the CAO Italia that was smokable.
Oddly, the only Italian tobacco is in the filler. But that can mean there is more Italian tobacco, by volume, than any other tobacco. But I digress. Very oily with a dark wrapper. No imperfections on it and it just looks like it is going to be a good cigar. I’m drinking Wild Turkey with a Cherry Coke for this cigar.
Cigar Stats
Corona Extra
Length: 4 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 46
Wrapper: Honduras
Binder: Hon
Filler: Italy, Nicaragua, Peru
Price: $4.85
Don Corleone Light!
Night and day when you compare this version to the unsmokable one. This one is absolutely great. Full bodied. Spice and meaty flavors. Dark chocolate notes as well.
Not burning evenly but the draw is absolutely perfect. My biggest problem with this cigar is that it is burning too quickly!
The spice has left about halfway through, which is a shame because I liked it. The dark, even chalky, chocolate flavor is now the secondary flavor. The main flavor tastes a lot like white wine. Even though I’m not a big wine lover, to say the least, I do like the white wine flavor here.
Three quarters of the way through and the white wine and chocolate flavors are still readily apparent on my palette. Some spice notes are trying to creep back in when I retrohale this cigar. Still a very full bodied smoke.
Really enjoyed this cigar. I wasn’t expecting much from it after the first one had a horrible draw. So I was pleasantly surprised.
91 points
Other Reviews:
GM Warrior X’s Weblog: He found that the Novella had cedar and mildly sweet vanilla notes. There were some chocolate notes and, overall, he wasn’t that enamored with this cigar.
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.
A Cigar Smoker’s Journal: Barry gave the Largo (toro) 90 points and got cedar, chocolate, cocoa, and other woody flavors. “The Largo is a nice version of the Italia especially if you like wood notes in your cigar. However if you are a fan of the Italia I should warn you smoking the Largo is a completely different experience.”
La Aurora 100 Anos Belicoso – Cigar Review
Cigar Stats
Length: 6.2″
Ring Gauge: 52
Wrapper: Dominican Corojo
Approximate Price: $17.50
This is a visually stunning cigar. Tons of oil to the touch and the wrapper is fairly dark without any imperfections. Should be a good cigar (Cigar Aficionado supposedly gave it a 93, I’m told).
The Flame!
This cigar borders on being a full bodied cigar right from the start. Tons of smoke and the draw is great. Liking the flavors as well. Acidity, there is a good amount of acidity with this cigar.
Toast and sweetness are two of the flavors coming through right now (less than an inch in). It is burning evenly and is a very enjoyable cigar. Love it.
Well, something happened about halfway through. It mellows out. Everything is still there but less so, if you know what I mean. Before this happened I was going to give it a 93 or even a 94.
On an interesting side not I am getting this white wine flavor coming through. Odd – in a good way though. Interesting cigar with lots of nuance.
92 points
