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Cigar Reviews

CAO Arcana Series Mortal Coil

CAO Cigars might hold the record for the largest portfolio of unique blends with Connecticut Broadleaf wrappers. There is the MX2, the Bones, the Session, the Flathead…I could go on. Another cigar on this list, and perhaps the most unique of them all, is the Arcana Series Mortal Coil.

During a year-long hiatus from our shelves, this blend was one of the most frequently requested, and has definitely developed a cult following among leaf lovers locally and across the country. The Mortal Coil has returned, and just in time for our largest, most aggressive CAO promotion yet. More on that in a minute.

First, about the cigar. The Mortal Coil makes use of an ancient fermentation technique where the rare Dominican fillers are bundled together and then rolled into palm tree leaf pods, and left there to age and ferment. This process teases out otherwise hidden flavors, resulting in a strong, naturally sweet tobacco.

Then CAO adds the earthy, salty sweetness of a marble-brown USA Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. It has tooth and character, both visibly and to the touch. The pre-light aroma is especially sweet, with a definitely chocolate note, as well as something like nougat.  A Three Musketeers bar, but better because I get to smoke it instead of pulling a muscle in my tongue trying to scrape this from the roof of my mouth.

I found it very difficult to put my finger on the central flavor note that makes this cigar so unique. It was familiar, and I was racking my brain trying to place it. So I asked my man Carl, and being the bottomless pit of smoking experience that he is, he immediately recalled the note I was struggling with…raisins. Dark, sweet, sour raisins. Nailed it.

Try one for yourself, it is incredibly unique, and not always available, so make sure you try one while we have them on the shelves. Can’t make it to the shop? No problem, just click this link to buy online! 

Keep Coming Back.

-DP

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CAO Bones

  • Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
  • Binder: Connecticut Shade
  • Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan, Dominican
  • Vitola: Chicken Foot (Robusto) 5×54
  • Tasting Notes: Dark Sweetness, Nuts, Coffee, hints of Vanilla

THIS IS MY NEW FAVORITE CIGAR!

As you may have heard me say before, I am a huge fan of Connecticut Broadleaf wrappers. The combination of savory and sweet darkness, the toothy, rustic appearance, the beautiful near-black color…I could go on.

Every palette is different, but my palette is build for Broadleaf. That said, I also find much to appreciate in other types of leaf, including Connecticut Shade. Mild, velvety to the touch, producing creamy smooth smoke. So when I read the blend breakdown of the CAO Bones and saw that it held a Connecticut Shade binder (a somewhat rare use of this type of leaf) beneath a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, I was obviously intrigued.

I swear, one can actually taste both leafs at once. Vanilla from the Connecticut Shade, and the tell-tale dark sweetness of the Connecticut Broadleaf. While CAO calls this a full-bodied smoke, I found the Robusto, or Chicken Foot as they have titled this vitola, to be full in complex flavor, but medium in body at most. This combination of full dark flavor in a milder to medium body can be very hard to find, but is exactly what I have been after.

As ones palette develops, one finds one goes through phases lasting many weeks or months at a time, where the specific smoking experience the palette craves will change. After a 50-ring-rocket phase, I have found myself gravitating toward milder cigars and larger ring gauges, and I have found that in the CAO Bones Chicken Foot. While very dark in appearance and in flavor, the large ring gauges (the Toro, Robusto, and Churchill are all 54 ring) mellow out the blend to a perfect medium.

May is CAO Month at the World Famous Tallchief Cigars Humidor and Lounge, and we would like to extend that promotion to our online customers as well. So use the coupon code BONES to save an additional 10% on any box of CAO Bones. This offer will only be good until the end of May, so get yours today.

Keep Coming Back!

-DP

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