Cigar Extra: CAO Brazilia Cuban Press

After declaring that these Cuban Presses would be just another vitola of familiar blends, the Brazilia did its best to prove me wrong. The Brazilian wrapper was intensely aromatic with barnyard and cocoa notes; there was more of a rich milk chocolate from the foot. Despite the marketing insert, this Cuban Press does not seem any more "boxy" than the regular "Box Press" vitola--the top edges (band up) have corners a little sharper and the bottom edges are a little more rounded.

The prelight draw was rich chocolate and plenty of spice--just what I've always expected from a Brazilia. If memory serves me correctly, this line may have been the first CAO I ever smoked, back in 2001 or 2002, probably. The rich flavors and spice have kept me coming back regularly ever since.

If, however, this were my first Brazilia, I would never return to this line. The smoke started off strong and fairly harsh and it was not long before I noted a "speed bump" along the burn line. According to CAO President Tim Ozgener (speaking at the LX2 eLements events), a speed bump or blistering along the burn line often means that some part of the tobacco has not aged long enough, causing the different parts (wrapper, binder, filler) to burn at different rates and cause the blemish. This cigar went from harsh to fairly bitter, pungent and kind of nasty. I will be leaving the rest of the Brazilia Cuban Presses in my humidor for a few months before trying one again.