CAO Brazilia Box Press

Wrapper: Brazilian Arapirca
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Box-Press: 5 1/2 x 55
Price: $6.45

There was a time when the CAO Brazilia was a staple of my rotation. With many new cigars coming out, this is one that I’ve just overlooked. This past week I dug into my humidor for the Box-Press version of this cigar.

I tend to be critical of Brazilian Arapirica wrapper – because like Mexican San Andres I’ve seen it smother a blend. But when blended right, it really can produce a great cigar and the CAO Brazilia Box-Press shows this. This cigar starts out with pepper, coffee, and chocolate. As the cigar progresses it develops that wonderful sweet espresso syrup quality that lays not on the pallet. The sweetness and chocolate diminish in the second half, but still delivers an earthy and peppery flavor. While this cigar definitely had some age, it produced a medium to full strength, medium to full-bodied smoke. No signs of Paul Syndrome when it came to burn and draw.

This one is easily worth a box split in my book.