CAO Brazilia Box Pressed
Wrapper: Brazil
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Size: 5 ½ x 54
Pre Light
I want to say up front that I like box press smokes. I don’t know if it’s the way it feels in my hand or the natural feel of the shape on my lips I just like them. The wrapper on the Brazilia is a dark oily shade of brown with no protruding veins of visible flaws. The cigar is well packed from head to foot and has a sweet barnyard aroma off the cold wrapper. After clipping of the cap and taking a few drags off the unlit cigar I am getting a cocoa and pepper flavor on my palette. The draw seems very loose but we will have to see if that affects the burn.
1st Third
The cigar starts off with a sweet coffee flavor along with a slight wood after taste. The smoke coming off the head and foot is immense. With the draw being so loose and the amount of smoke coming off the cigar I’m wondering if it’s going to start tunneling.
2nd Third
The middle portion of the cigar was pretty much the same as the first. The flavors were the same with the sweet coffee and wood. The cigar started to tunnel and needed to be relit twice. The head of the cigar feels kind of spongy on my lips too but I’m guess that has something to do with the looseness.
Final Third
The final third was met with the same flavors as the first two except for and nut flavor coming in and out. The cigar also needed to be relit a couple more times but was not a real big deal.
Overall
I have always enjoyed the CAO Brazilia but the box pressed ones all have seemed to have burn problems. All the ones I smoked for this review had very lose draws and constantly were tunneling. With all that said I do enjoy the flavors and sweetness from the Brazilia.
Keep em burnin’
Griff
April 2, 2012 at 9:33 AM
I love the Brazilias – one of my absolute favorites for several years now. I haven’t tried the box press, though. And loooook, I happen to be out of Brazilias, too. I feel an urge to order coming on!
April 2, 2012 at 10:51 AM
Thanx for the review Gruff! The Brazilias are among my all time favorites as well. I have not had the box press but have heard that they have burn issues. Go Sabres!
April 2, 2012 at 11:08 AM
Hey Rob great post, I really like the Brazilia I think its one of CAOs better sticks. I haven’t had any of their box press yet but I also enjoy a good box press stick provided it burns correct and has a decent Draw. Hope all is well in the Big City. Enjoy the day Brother
April 2, 2012 at 8:02 PM
I’ve only had one Brazilia Gol!, and enjoyed it quite a bit. Good to know about the potential burn problems with the box press. Thanks for the review.