Tasting Notes

I pull out my Xikar back stop cutter and snip the cap. I toast the foot, breathing in the cocoa aroma. I bring the stick to my mouth and immediately get the taste of a nutty, woody, earthy flavor profile. Huge billows of smoke emit from the end. Soon, our little table is causing so much smoke, it looks like we‚Äôre on fire. The CAO Brazilia has an easy draw. The construction is excellent. It‚Äôs so dark, it‚Äôs almost impossible to see the moderate amount of veins. It‚Äôs advertised as a full bodied, full flavored cigar. And I agree. My favorite.

We all settle back with the CAO Brazilias and a libation from the beer vendor. The festival attracts a lot of people and soon guys are stopping and asking what we’re smoking? A few even offer to buy cigars from us. We smile and pretend to fall asleep. One of us always stays awake, points at us, and just says “Narcolepsy.” The inquirers walk away quickly.

A peppery spicy taste joins the profile. I‚Äôm not quite a third into it and what I‚Äôve been waiting for happens: cocoa and coffee. It‚Äôs very dark chocolate and very dark coffee. It‚Äôs immensely satisfying. The cocoa brings with it some  malty flavor. And the natural sweetness oozes like oil.

A couple guys walk by and show us their CAO Sopranos that are in their pockets. We tip our hats.

The tribute band that’s performing is playing the worst Doors music I’ve ever heard. The guy doing Jim Morrison keeps losing his wig and his attempts to mimic the sensual moves that Morrison was famous for, completely falls flat. He looks more like he’s constipated. And now it’s time.

I‚Äôm into the second third of the CAO Brazilia. The cocoa and coffee falls a little into the background. There‚Äôs a slight wisp of licorice and cherry. The ash hasn‚Äôt fallen and we are competing to see who can keep it on the longest. The ash is pretty solid so to this point it‚Äôs not much of a competition.

As bold as this cigar is, it never gets harsh or bitter. A bit of cinnamon shows up in the last third. And the cocoa and espresso are really ramping up again‚Ķwith more sweetness.

I run over to a vendor and grab a Pepsi Max. I do this every time I smoke a CAO Brazilia. The cocoa is such a dominant, yet subtle, flavor that I like to take a few puffs and then a swig of Pepsi. It tastes exactly like the old fashioned Chocolate Pepsi we would get at Bob’s Big Boy restaurant in high school. When I explain what I’m doing, everyone runs over to get a soda. It’s like dessert. It’s just an unbelievable taste. Some people have their druthers about what they drink while smoking; whether its alcoholic of just bottled water. Try this and tell me I’m wrong.

We are all smoking this cigar to the nub because we can. It doesn’t get hot like most cigars do. A creaminess settles in to add a broad flavor profile. I have to get another soda. This combination should be illegal.

As the cigar comes to an end, we are holding a nub between our fingers. Skip asks if I brought any more. I nod. Everyone smiles.

We hear a voice. “The old farts that play blues….you’re up next.”

We struggle out of the wood chairs, groaning as we do so, and wobble up to the stage.