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Rick Rodriguez

·March 17, 2022

CAO Announces Pilón Añejo – Cigar News

CAO (Owned by General Cigar) has announced a limited edition follow-up to their Pilón line which has been around since 2015. CAO Pilón Añejo will use the same labor-intensive fermentation techniques along with a new blend and period of aging after it's been rolled.

Cigar News: CAO Announces Limited Edition Zócalo

All CAO Mexican San Andres News Rick Rodriguez

·April 9, 2018

Cigar News: CAO Announces Limited Edition Zócalo

CAO have announced a new limited edition release that will be a part of the brand’s virtual tour of the Pan American Highway. The new limited release is called Zócalo, also the name of a city square in Mexico, this is first CAO cigar made with tobacco from Mexico.

93%

Great

West Tampa Tobacco Co. Red Toro - Blind Cigar Review

All Blind Cigar Reviews Featured Mexican San Andres Nicaragua Rick Rodriguez Toro

·February 23, 2024

West Tampa Tobacco Co. Red Toro – Blind Cigar Review

"This is a highly intriguing smoke, the flavor profile is very diverse and exceedingly pleasant. While well balanced, the predominant notes of caramel, earth, cherries, and baking spice were most consistent, making this an excellent pairing for a dram of Buffalo Trace or Knob Creek." -Fred L. (Fred L.)

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·April 2, 2018

Cigar News: CAO Announces Pan Am Virtual Tour With Rick Rodriguez

CAO has announced a virtual tour of the Pan American highway from April to December 2018 with Master Blender Rick Rodriguez. His online trek will start go from North America to Mexico on the banks of the Rio Grande at Nuevo Laredo. Here the Pan Am highway became known in Spanish as the Autopista and connects to many countries to the South.

Cigar News: CAO Zócalo Becomes Regular Production

All CAO Mexican San Andres News Nicaragua Rick Rodriguez

·February 12, 2021

Cigar News: CAO Zócalo Becomes Regular Production

CAO announced today that Zócalo is coming back, now as a regular production cigar. The name comes from a celebratory city square in Mexico. Zócalo was first released in 2018 as a limited edition blend and in just one vitola. The new regular production version of Zócalo comes in three sizes. It was the first CAO cigar to use a Mexican wrapper. We reviewed the original back in 2018 and gave it an 89.

88%

Good

All Blind Cigar Reviews Brazilian CAO Featured IPCPR Nicaragua Rick Rodriguez Toro

·February 3, 2020

Blind Cigar Review: CAO | Orellana

"While this cigar is far from pretty, it didn’t give me nearly the experience its outward appearance perhaps alluded to. Straight forward flavors and mostly solid construction with a very nice aroma." -Matt Ca. (Cade)

CAO News Rick Rodriguez

·March 11, 2022

Rick Rodriguez Leaving General Cigar and the CAO Brand – Cigar News

CAO Blender and Brand Ambassador is stepping down after more than 20 Years with General Cigar. The move is effective April 29, 2022.

91%

Very Good

Blind Cigar Review: CAO | Bones Chicken Foot

All Blind Cigar Reviews CAO Connecticut Broadleaf Featured Maduro Nicaragua Rick Rodriguez Robusto

·December 30, 2020

Blind Cigar Review: CAO | Bones Chicken Foot

"A cigar with some of the classic notes and transitions that mesh well together. Always been a fan of red pepper and coffee notes in cigars, and to end with a mellowed out cinnamon bread, was very rewarding. I wouldn't run out and buy boxes of these, but I could definitely smoke this again." -Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

90%

Very Good

Blind Cigar Review: CAO | Nicaragua Granada

All Blind Cigar Reviews CAO Daniel S.Diana Featured IPCPR Isaac M.Jason H.Matt H.Natural Nicaragua Rick Rodriguez Toro

·November 9, 2018

Blind Cigar Review: CAO | Nicaragua Granada

"This is a cigar I would smoke any day. If you are looking for a nicely flavored cigar without any pepper this would be a great smoke. The earthiness along with the smooth and creamy profile was very pleasant. There was a great blend of coffee, cocoa, hint of leather, baking spices and leafy floral. I really enjoyed this and recommend this cigar for any level of cigar smoker. " -Diana (ArmyRN)

89%

Total Score - Good

Blind Cigar Review: CAO | Columbia Tinto

All Blind Cigar Reviews CAO Dave Featured Gregg Jason H.Nicaragua Rick Rodriguez Robert Robusto Sandeep

·November 14, 2014

Blind Cigar Review: C.A.O. | Columbia Tinto

"Overall, had it not been for the wrapper issues, it was a very good cigar. The flavors were pleasant and provided enough complexity to keep my interest. It would have scored higher had it not been for the wrapper. I will definitely try it again. I think the wrapper issue might have been because of increased humidity." -Sandeep (Djangos)

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