In 2014, General Cigar released the CAO Amazon Basin at the 2014 IPCPR Convention & Trade Show as a limited production release using Brazilian Bragança tobacco. It scored a very nice 91 in our blind review. Earlier this year, General Cigar Co. announced that the company would create a trilogy of cigars surrounding the CAO Amazon Basin, with the two new cigars coming this year. The first of those two release was Fuma em Corda, the final is the Amazon Anaconda, a 6 x 52 toro that combines the Brazilian Bragança tobacco from the Amazon Basin and Fuma em Corda tobacco, from the second release. Today we are reviewing the CAO | Amazon Anaconda.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
This stogie utilizes the uncommon Braganca tobacco, as well as another uncommon Brazilian tobacco known as Fuma Em Corda. This basically is a Brazilian Araparica leaf that is matured in ropes. The CAO Amazon Basin was the first release of the Amazon Trilogy. It is a stogie that took off slowly, but eventually became one of the most sought out cigars in secondary market. The Amazon Basin fuses an uncommon mix, low-yield tobacco developed in Brazil known as Braganca. As a result of the low yields, the Amazon Basin has been very restricted and it assumed control two years until the point when it would see its lone other discharge.
With CAO Amazon Anaconda, this blend combines both the Braganca and Fuma Em Corda, yet includes another low yield Brazilian tobacco known as Bahiano Habano which is utilized as the wrapper. As the name demonstrates, the Bahiano Habano originates from the Bahia locale of Brazil.
These uncommon tobaccos were secured by Ernest Gocaj, the Director of Tobacco Procurement for General Cigar. Gocaj put in quite a while working with the local ranchers, showing them uncommon rural practices to enhance tobacco yield and leaf quality. Gocaj picked to obtain high preparing ligero leaves of the Bahiano Habano to use as the wrapper. The CAO Amazon Anaconda is planned to be a one and done offering. It is accessible in 20-count boxes with price set at $10.49 per stogie.
“This is quite an ugly cigar looks to be a double cap 52×6 very prominent veins looks to have some of the bunch under the cap and a divit that spans the whole circumference of the cigar twice” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Aroma: 91
“The cigar has a strange sugary sweetness in the aroma, almost like a fruity candy. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Blind Cigar Review: CAO | Amazon Anaconda
First Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Not really much going on with the pre-light draw. Some vaguely mineral flavor, but not strong at all. Draw also feels a bit to open. Initial flavor on lighting is absolutely caramel popcorn, and yes, there is considerable sweetness to the finish. 15 minutes in and all I can say is Holy Crap! Really amazing so far. Rich sweet chocolaty notes, along with some pepper, and a really nice cinnamon flavor on the finish. Big, oily mouth feel. The draw hasn’t been a problem at all. At around the 30 minute mark I’m still solidly in the initial third, and it’s still incredible. Every puff is a new adventure. There’s a little less sweetness, but I’m getting big roasted pepper notes, still lots of baking spices going on, and grilled meat type of flavor. This damn thing’s like a great big pepper and sausage sandwich.” –John I. (John I.)”
“This cigar starts off great. Right out of the gate we get some deep molasses with a feint pepper. Also getting a really interesting note coming through that I can only describe as vegetal. The retro is a light pepper. ” –Zane G. (Zane)
“It starts to hit stride in the middle third. The boldness kicks up and the flavor profile shifts. Dark roast coffee and dark cocoa come to the forefront, with a spice mixture in the background. The retrohale is now very spicy. ” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
“Makes a transition to campfire and soon after strong coffee” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Into the final third the sweetness comes back in with a vengeance. A real nice sugary sweetness with the pepper on the tongue. Strong pepper on the retro. ” –Zane G. (Zane)
“The finale is more of the same thus far. Still a nicely potent stick, but the flavor carnival is long over. Lots of bold earthy pepper going on, but not much else. After all the mystery and intrigue early on, the finale is kind of like getting in a good stretch after a workout. ” –John I. (John I.)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 93
“I was concerned that this stick might have a draw problem based on the inconsistent pack and the depression in the center of the stick, but this wasnt the case. There was nothing wrong with the draw at all. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Burn: 86
“The burn was messy. Although it required no touch ups, it was flaky and flowery and crooked all the way. ” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Construction: 88
“The overall construction of this cigar is a testament to the art of hand rolling. The burn was slow and cool throughout, and the draw ended up being just right. This is the bowl of porridge you’ve been looking for. ” –John I. (John I.)
“I probly wouldnt smoke this cigar with a combination of construction and burn problems.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“I can’t imagine smoking the same cigar all the time, and this is a great example of how rewarding it is to be constantly trying new stuff. This is truly a wonderful time to be a cigar nerd. What does all that have to do with this cigar? Well, it’s made me incredibly happy, reflective, and relaxed.” –John I. (John I.)
“Long story short, it was OK. Short story not so short, the first two thirds were tasty, and seemed to be cohesive. The final third just failed in my estimation. The flavors were unpleasant and harsh. If this cigar could have continued the same flavor profile, I would have rated it much higher. ” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
“Overall not a horrible smoke, but also not really my thing, I was pretty bored after the first couple of inches. If priced right it might make an OK yard gar, but I dont see it being anything I would ever put in regular rotation. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)
“Flavor wise for the most part I really really enjoyed this cigar. The frustration of the burn really made smoking the cigar a chore. ” –Zane G. (Zane)
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: CAO | Amazon Anaconda
Overall Score – 88 – Good
Blind Cigar Review: CAO | Amazon Anaconda
Summary
"Long story short, it was OK. Short story not so short, the first two thirds were tasty, and seemed to be cohesive. The final third just failed in my estimation. The flavors were unpleasant and harsh. If this cigar could have continued the same flavor profile, I would have rated it much higher. " -Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
