CAO OSA Sol
Wrapper: Honduran (Olancho San Agustin)
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaraguan & Honduran
Size: Robusto 5 x 50 (Lot 50)
Pre Light
This new release from CAO was introduced at this year’s IPCPR and is the first release under the new regime of at CAO. The wrapper is a milk chocolate brown with no major veins or construction flaws at first sight. The aroma off the wrapper is sweet and earthy with the aroma on the foot is more earthy with a hint of wood. After a snip of my cutter and the cigar is opened up the draw is free flowing hint and toasty wood flavor.
1st Third
Within the first inch of the cigar I have picked up notes of wood along with faint hints of a sweet spice but the main flavor seems to be a rich earthiness. The ash olds on for long time and puts off a thick white smoke that just sits in the air.
2nd Third
The burn hasn’t needed any touch ups and is burning cool. The earthy and wood flavors seem to still be the focus of the cigar but have become a lot bolder here in the second third. The ash held on and had to be knocked off before it fell on my lap.
Final Third
The wood and earth flavor have not faded but are met with a slight pepper here in the last inch and have blended very well together. The burn stayed good all the way down to the nub and stayed cool to the touch. Even down to the end the cigar produced enormous amounts of heavy smoke.
Overall
I was a little wary getting these after a few reviews I read but I have to say I was surprised to find I enjoyed as much as I did. The flavors blended well together and the construction was flawless on each of the ones I smoked for this review. I might have to go and pick a few more up.
Keep em burnin’
Griff
October 10, 2011 at 8:13 AM
I have to try these. None of my B&M have here in upstate ny. Good job pal.
October 10, 2011 at 8:45 AM
I was less than impressed with the Lot 54, but the Lot 50 turned out to be a completely different experience. It’s a good cigar. My advice would be to pass on the larger ring sizes.
October 10, 2011 at 11:02 AM
I like the 50 alot more then the 54 or 58, I think the wrapper really shows up better on the smaller ring gauge. I’m a Big Fan of CAO and I think they did them selves a solid on this stick. Keeps getting better each time I smoke one.
October 10, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Nice review Griff, short and sweet. I two am a big CAO fan but have not tried this stick yet. seems that the reviews I have seen and read are all over the place. i guess the only way to find out is to try it myself. Oh, by the way, GO SABRES!
October 10, 2011 at 3:07 PM
Nice review Rob. I first tried the LOT 54 since Victoria from Gen.CigarCo. sent me a few of those to sample. I was surprised with their flavor and their overall construction and burn. I then, bought myself a fiver of the LOT 50 and I know I’m one of the few if not the only one, that I wasn’t as impressed with this size. And that is coming from someone that is not a big fan of big RG either.
October 10, 2011 at 3:45 PM
I have one Lot 50 OSA sitting in the humidor and will light it up in the near future. Looking forward to comparing it to your review. Thanks for the information Griff.