CAO Sopranos Edition Associate

A Stronger Italia

Pictures at: http://galleries.cigarweekly.com/JCole311/album11

The limited edition cigar is a bold, full-bodied blend featuring a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper, Honduran binder, and an exotic mix of fillers from Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Colombia

Associate size - 6" x 54

Cutter: Xikar Xi2
Lighter: Prometheus Ultima

The smell of the cigar straight of the humidor was bit musty and had the smell of an aged cigar. The pre-draw was leathery and roasted tobacco. The first third was medium / mild with a smooth tobacco. Half way down it got peppery with a bit of spice. As it progressed the pepper and spice flavor stregnthened, it got hotter. It paired well with the vino. The cigar reminded me of an Italia with a little more muscle, and little smaller ring gauge.

A good but not great cigar with a medium to full body. I would love to smoke more of these, but the price maybe prohibitive. Depending on price these good be a buy

8 out of 10

Fonseca Cosacos

The Little Cigar that Could

Legnth: 5 3/8" or 135 mm.
Ring: 42
Wrapper, Binder, Filler: Cuban
Presentation: Tissue paper wrapped

I received this cigar as a part of a box pass I hosted, and I was fortunate to get a nice selection of Habanos I've never tried. This cigar was one of them. The band looked aged and when I took off the tissue paper it was covered in plume.

I went for a walk with my dogs, casually cutting and lighting the cigar. I was surprised at the amount of flavor and the full draw of smoke that I got from this little cigar. It was full of Cuban twang with a touch of cinnamon. The cigar burned with laser perfectness and never became sour or acrid. I had to sit down for the last third in respect for such a great smoke. I smoked it down to the nub burning my fingers, it kept the perfect Cuban flavor with a moderate addition of heat.

Wow! That was a great cigar, unfortunately I am not sure of the year and I am unsure that if I buy a box of these I will be as fortunate. I score this little gem a 9 out of 10. I want another one just thinking about it