One of the newest creations from the team at CAO Cigars this year is known as the Pilón Ańejo and according to the company it “takes a classic cigar aging technique to the next level.” It should be noted that this is one of the last cigars that Ricky Rodriguez blended for CAO before departing to launch his new company – West Tampa Cigars.
The company describes special process:
“After curing and resting through the traditional Pilón aging process, these tobaccos were rolled and aged another two years for next-level flavors delivering smooth notes of earth, caramel and subtle spice.
These extraordinary flavors begin as an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, a Honduran Habano binder and Seco and Ligero filler leaves from the Dominican and Nicaragua. Separately, these premium tobaccos are exceptional. But when brought together and aged not once but twice, the resulting cigar is a new experience all its own.”
The CAO Pilón Ańejo has blend described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuador Sumatra
- Binder – Honduran
- Filler – Dominican, Nicaraguan
They are expressed in 3 vitolas, each packaged in 20-count boxes:
- Toro (6 x 52) – MSRP $8.99
- Gigante (5.9 x 50) – MSRP $9.29
- Robusto (5.5 x 54) – MSRP $8.89
For this review I sampled 3 of the robustos which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The CAO Pilón Ańejo has a bit of a rugged look to it with a dark brown, veiny, and bumpy wrapper. There is a slight oily sheen and it is feels well packed and firm to the touch. It it finished with a decent cap.
A die cut band adorns the cigar that uses a black and white motif. The name Pilón Ańejo is boldly printed across the band and the the company logo is printed across a silhouette of a tobacco leaf. The band does seem to pop on the background of the cigar and would definitely stand out on a humidor shelf.
Running the barrel along the nose, I did not pick up much aroma but the foot exuded notes of a peppery cracker.
Once I sliced the cap, straight across the shoulder of the cigar, the cold draw was pleasant in restriction and delivered notes of pepper, floral, and earth.
I used my double flame torch to warm the foot and drew in the first puffs of of smoke that had an decent array of introductory notes including cocoa, pepper, and floral. Quite a pleasant start to the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial notes included cocoa, pepper, and floral
- Dry cocoa begins to evolve
- Solid white ash forms on top of medium thick and even char line
- Fruit added to the early pleasure
- Toasted cracker develop moving into the second third
- A pleasant floral aroma wafts off the foot
- Ash fell revealing a perfect ash cone
- Strength starts to ratchet up
- Semi sweet dark chocolate notes appear deep in the second third
- Dry leather and wood adds dimension to the profile
- The early fruit notes become mildly tangy near the final third
- Mild spice in forms down to the nub
- Medium Plus In Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
Final Analysis
The bold multi country blend of the CAO Pilón Ańejo shined in this latest offering from CAO. From foot to nub, the flavors and aromas evolved beautifully as did the burn. I found the the cigar to be decently complex with a fine dimension throughout the transitions all delivered in a medium-plus strength. I enjoyed the floral notes both in flavor and aroma along with the semi-sweet dark chocolate notes that pleased the palate in the second third. This is a box worthy cigar and should be enjoyed but any enthusiast. The price point just makes it even more attractive. I rate this a 95.
Point Deductions: (-1) Minor wave deep in the burn; (-1) Mild Tanginess in the final
Bonus Points: (+1) Pleasurable and consistent across multiple samples; (+1) Complex and Balanced; (+1) Buy a Box.
