CAO AMAZON BASIN EXTRA AÑEJO | CIGAR REVIEW

JUNE 25, 2023 - PHIL KURUT, COMEDY - CIGARS - MUSIC

CAO AMAZON BASIN EXTRA AÑEJO TORO (6 x 52)

WRAPPER: ECUADORIAN SUMATRA

BINDER: NICARAGUA

FILLER: BRAZILIAN BRAGANÇA, COLOMBIA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Earth, a dark woodiness, and a bit of spice (almost an afterthought) get things started with Extra Añejo. There’s some creaminess tucked away in there as well. We’ll see if that continues to develop. Coffee, earth, spice (less of an afterthought), and creaminess linger on the finish. Creaminess is a touch more prominent there than the draw. Wood, deep dark soil, and touches of raisin blow through the nose. Creamy on the retrohale, which softens it up.

Draw and smoke output are excellent. Wood, spice, and creamy dark chocolate float around, towards, and away from me depending on which way the wind blows out here. Back on the porch today.

Bits of graphite sprinkle in while creaminess slowly continues to build.

Unrelated, I’ve been on a Collective Soul kick this past week. I’ve always dug that band in all of its iterations. The lead singer, bass player, and rhythm guitarist have been a constant, but they’ve had a few lead guitarist and drummer changes. I’ve dug all of them, but there's something quite cool about Johnny Rabb taking over the reins behind the drums just over a decade ago. I’ve always enjoyed Rabb’s playing and attitude behind the drums, and he makes everything look effortless. During an interview, the lead singer, Ed Roland, said Rabb was overqualified. While that might be true, he’s still a perfect fit. Their music has always been fun to jam along to in my basement with some fellow musicians or just solo with my trusty headphones. Anyway.

Extra Añejo is rather smooth. Spice tickles, keeping the palate awake without clobbering it. Dark chocolate increases slightly. Cinnamon makes a few appearances. Excellent burn with an ash that hangs on well and breaks off cleanly. An effortless experience.

SMOKE TIME: 2 hrs. 2 mins.

RATING: 3 / 4 - Effortless.