CAO L’Anniversary Cameroon

Construction

Vitola - Belicoso

Wrapper - Cameroon from Central African Republic

Binder - Nicraguan

Filler - Nicaraguan

Tasting Notes:

Looking at this toothy wrapper I am reminded of the first time I smoked the orignial of this cigar in 1999 while living in Fort Lauderdale or Pembrook Pines to be exact. It was the beginning of my cigar journey and I have to say it was a great start. The original choice was likely due the affordability of the cigar which continues to be a budget premium cigar.

I like to cut the Belicoso with a v-cutter so I reach for the Colibri Deep V-Cut to keep that shape we all love in tact. A quick snip and a cold draw reviewls the light hint of cinnamon and the musty cigar notes we all love. Toasting starts to release more aroma and that just makes me excited to revisit this long time favorite. I start to toast the foot ensuring a good burn later and then light it up.

Initial light delivers the mild baking spice, mostly cinnamon, and a little sweetness I just can’t nail down. My journey starts here so not surporising I could’t be as specific as you will see me be later. It has a bready texture and the box pressed natuer of the cigar gives the draw a nice tightness but thre is still plentiful smoke.

The first third is never offensive and the spice becomes mild right away. I do get coffee notes but they are fleeting and blend nicely with the cinnamon blast I get on the retrohale. Nutty notes are a welcome addition as the blend smooths out and approaches the 2nd third.

The 2nd third is much of the same but the creamy vanila sweetness mixes wiht the nutty almond flavour as we approach the sweet spot. I think back to the first time I smoked this cigar and didn’t taste anthing like this and wonder when it changed for me. I think the retrohale was the key but think I might have started doing it on accident at some point. Regardless I am getting great flavour from this relatively inexpensive stick, at around $9.00 on sale when I picked up the last box.

The final third picks up in strength and we are now approaching a solid medium strength. Flavours are muted but still really enjoyable and never offenzive. I smoke it down to the butt and would do it again so beyond “butt worthy” it continues to be a “box worthy” choice and one I will put in my humidor for years to come so we land on “stock worthy” as a rating for this cigar.