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Name: Catalyst
Ring: 50
Length: 5:
Wrapper: Domonican (Corojo)
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican, Nicaragua, Brazil
Cost: $11.65
Medium-Full
Accompanied by: Montecristo Coffee
Smoke time: about 1 hour
The scene: I was at a CAO event yesturday. Let me say that other than the Brazil and Gold 10th anniversery figurados, which I love, I have never went out of my way for CAO cigars. They are ok cigars. I did not have high hopes as I went today. My Local cigar group made a good showing and that was great.
There has been a little hype on these so I was sceptical as the sale rep went through the make up of the cigar. On a side note I was impressed with the reps knowledge. I have had little luck with other events on that.
The Cigar: CAO has cornered the market on marketing.
The boxes for these bad boys where lit up like a christmas tree and where very smooth looking. Bright blue neon contrasting with the pearl white humidor they come in. It also comes with a built in hygrometer. They pull you in with that. I had a hard time looking at the cigar until I left the room with it. 
Nice construction. A white with silver trim band in the same shape as the X2 line with a slight arc veriation and a toe band with a number on it. Firm but not hard. Some veins but only enough to make it not perfect. Color was a nice tan like swade leather. A hint of earth in the pre-light aroma. I did look nice.
The light: Clean cut. Very nice enterior construction from the cut end. It lit cleanly and started off with a fair amount of smoke. White with gray streaking through it. A little coaxing was needed, I think it was a tiny bit wet for my taste.
The smoke: Right away I did taste a slight similarity to the Opus from the wrapper. Don't get all upset I did not say it tastes completly like it. Just a hint from the Dominican wrapper. I was alittle disapointed in the first 1/4 of an inch. It was alittle bitter. I almost lost hope. Then it started to draw me back in. The flavors of leather and earth started to come out. The smoke picked up and the aroma became very rich. No real spice so there was not a big kick to this smoke. The pallette of the cigar did get pretty complex I was catching some sweetness, definate leather and firm rich undertones that I could not make out. The coffee that I drank was a little too rich for this cigar. I think this would be perfect with a light nutty coffee or a cappuccino. By the time I realized it I actually nubbed this cigar.
The Verdict: This is a medium body smoke at best. I suggest that you try it. No, it is not an Opus. It does not have that power or spicey ness. No, it's complexity does not compare to a PAM. I will not put my Anejo down for this yet. It was a very good alternative. It never tried to be either. It was just itself. I was not wowed, I will leave that for the next one to decide. I bought 3 more and I can't wait to try another after a few months of age. I was impressed because it was kind of refreshing to see anew cigar that was not just about power. I felt as though it might be something new for me to add to the humi. I think with age the flavors in this cigar will be very good and it might stand up as a very good alterative to some of the other premiums. Judge for yourself. If you get a chance grab one.
I hope this helps some one.
DarrenR
This post has been edited by DarrenR: 25 February 2007 - 09:03 AM
Seems a bit over priced too. I smoked one and it ain't worth the $$.
$15 better spent elsewhere...
