Initial Thoughts
CAO has a knack for blending amazing, limited run cigars like the Amazon Basin. And today, we're taking a look at another cigar that won't be around for forever, the CAO Flathead V23, which was blended to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Le Mans.
The CAO Flathead V23 MKI Gigante, was immediately off to a rough start. Visually, the cigar had small holes in the wrapper leaf. Several of them. Punching the flat head of the cigar was also a challenge as the cap was was fairly thick.
On the cold draw, the CAO Flathead V23 was leafy and cedary. Once lit, despite the Mata Fina and ligero tobaccos inside, the V23 was somewhat mild.
Is the CAO Flathead V23 MKI Gigante worth almost $16? Let's smoke it and find out.
CigarScore:
Brand: CAO
Line: Flathead V23
Size: 6 x 60
Cut: Punch
Light: Torch
Price: $15.40 – Adventure Club
Wrapper: Honduran Jamastran
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Brazilian Mata Fina, Honduran Jamastran Viso, Nicaraguan Jalapa Viso, Nicaraguan Esteli Ligero
Smoke Time: 101 minutes
Strength: ••••
Final Thoughts
I was able to smoke the CAO Flathead V23 MKI Gigante for almost an hour and forty-five minutes. And after that time, I was fairly bored with it. It was a decent smoke, but nothing new, interesting, or mind-blowing.
Regarding the construction of this cigar, the wrapper leaf on the stick I reviewed shouldn't have been used. Before taking it out of the cellophane, tiny holes and tears were visible, and that shouldn't happen.
Regarding the flavors, they were decent, but there was no complexity in how this cigar tasted. Nothing changed as I smoked it and there were rarely more than one flavor note at a time. The Flathead V23 had no flavor changes, no spicy spots, nothing to keep me interested.
I don't think anyone would be disappointed in this cigar, but I also don't think this'll be on anyone's favorites list. The CAO Flathead V23 MKI Gigante earns a CigarScore 3.
