General Cigar Co. released a new line of cigar this year at the PCA Trade Show. Known as the FASA line, it comes in two blends, the Noche and the Sol. The name FASA translates to “Phase”. The names Sol and Noche I would say translate to the phases of the day. Sol is “sun” – or roughly day – and Noche is “night’. So, these are made to be night and day.
In fact, Ed Lahmann, senior brand manager for CAO stated:
“CAO FASA Sol and CAO FASA Noche could not be more alike, yet they could not be more different. They’re literally like night and day, and still perfect for either occasion. This is what CAO is all about…taking our fans on a journey through the tobaccos we choose.”
Both the Sol and Noche incorporate a Cameroon binder along with fillers from three Nicaraguan regions and also the Dominican Republic.
For this review, I will focus on the CAO FASA Sol which the company provided samples of for review on Stogie Press
The CAO FASA SOL blend is described as:
- Wrapper – Honduran Olancho San Agustin (OSA) Sol
- Binder – Cameroon
- Filler – Nicaraguan (Estelí, Condega, Jalapa) and Dominican Piloto Cubano
The blend is expressed in 2 vitolas, each packaged in 24-count boxes:
- Toro (6 x 50) – MSRP $6.99
- Gigante (6 x 60)- MSRP $7.99
The sol is crafted at STG Danlí in Honduras.
Pre-Light Examination
The CAO FASA SOL is wrapped in a medium reddish-brown wrapper that has a decent oily sheen and some noticeable veins. The cigar is nicely packed with a decent give along the barrel. A simple cap finishes the construction.
Two bands adorn the cigar. The primary band is orangey-red and white. The name CAO is printed right under a crescent moon cutout that shows the leaf behind it. The name FASA is printed on the bottom. A secondary footer band is applied that uses the same color scheme and declares this as the SOL. Check out how the cut out on the footer fits perfectly on the inverted A on the primary. Nice job COA Team.
Running the cigar along the nose, I noted a fermented leaf aroma along the barrel along with a light barnyard aroma off the foot.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder and gave it a few cold draw puffs that I found to be just fine with restriction and offered a mild tangy note and a touch of cinnamon .
Using my single flame torch lighter, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of light cream and cinnamon to start the journey. I would say the introduction was close to a Cinnabon. Follow along as burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial puffs offer light cream and cinnamon notes
- A white ash forms on top of a slightly jagged line
- Muted earthy notes join the early profile
- A delectable graham cracker aroma wafts off the foot
- Nut notes enter deep in the first third
- Ash fell in a decent chunk revealing
- The enticing aroma shifts to a nut nuance
- Slight off burn develops
- Toasted cracker notes join in moving through the second third
- Pleasant fruit notes in the background
- Dark chocolate bitterness joins the mix
- Salted Caramel notes deep in the second third down through the final with citrus nuance
- Medium Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 45 minutes
Final Analysis
The initial puffs of the CAO FASA SOL Toro treat the palate to delicate hints of cream intertwined with cinnamon warmth. Gradually, the palate is introduced to subdued earthy undertones, enriching the evolving flavor profile. Meanwhile, a delightful aroma reminiscent of graham crackers wafts from the foot. With each draw, nutty nuances emerge, adding depth to the experience. Transitioning further into the smoke, the aroma evolves, now teasing with a subtle nutty essence. Toasted cracker notes emerge, intertwining with a background of pleasant fruitiness, before yielding to the bittersweetness dark chocolate. As the journey progresses into the final third, the palate is greeted by the indulgent harmony of salted caramel and a hint of citrus. This is a box buy for sure. I rate this a 94.
Point Deductions: (-1) Jagged Burn; (-1) Slight off burn;
Bonus Points: (+1) Pleasant and Consistent Across Multiple Samples; (+1) Box Buy
