Cigar Review: CAO Nicaragua
CAO Nicaragua Cigars
Cigar Review By Jamie Stevens
- Strength: ●●●●○ Medium-Full
- Wrapper: Honduran
- Binder: Honduran
- Filler: Nicaraguan
- Origin: Nicaragua
- Rating: 90
First Impressions of the CAO Nicaragua Tipitapa
If summer had a smell, it’d be sunscreen, grilled burgers, and—if you’re lucky—the rich smell of a cigar like the CAO Nicaragua Tipitapa burning slowly. I am lighting this up as I attempt to make my tan even while sitting in my now comfortable patio chairs (which I need new ones), watching my son attempt to make monster figures out of his clay. Another cigar I have never smoked, and I am pretty excited. And let me tell you—this cigar was the highlight of my weekend.
Flavor Profile: Earthy Nicaraguan Power with Smooth Transitions
First puff in, you’re hit with a bold wave of earthy Nicaraguan flavor, kind of like stepping onto a hot beach barefoot—minus the pain, plus a whole lot of satisfaction. The Tipitapa isn’t shy. Right out of the gate, it brings pepper and spice to the mix, but not the kind that leaves you fanning your mouth or where you can’t feel your lips anymore. I am not a fan of those, as most of you know. Pepper and I have a love hate relationship. No, this is the smooth and slow burning, kind of like how the bottom of my legs feels on this chair while I am trying to ignore the annoying dog that barks constantly next door.
First Half: Creamy Smoke and Coffee Notes
As I get going into the first half, the smoke gets creamier, like the cigar decided, “Alright, you’ve proven you can handle the pepper nonsense—now let’s relax.” The spice takes a big step back, letting coffee notes take center stage. I really could use iced coffee at this point. I think it would make a good pairing. The cigar appears to be really laid back at this point which is needed on this hot day.
Halfway Point: Sweetness and Steady Burn Performance
At the halfway point, the Tipitapa really finds its steady point. The burn is super straight with no issues, and the draw is an easy as catching a burn when you forget sunscreen (hence me). The flavors deepen into a rich, almost maple syrup sweetness with a hint of Earth tones. It’s very campfire like with a hint of sugar.
Final Half: Pepper Returns with Full, Satisfying Flavor
During the final half, things started to ramp up. The pepper peeks back in, just to remind you it’s still there and not leaving, but by now it really doesn’t make a difference. There’s a satisfying fullness in every puff, the kind that makes you lean back in your chair and think, “Yeah, I could get used to this.” I smoked it down until my fingers started to feel the burn, which is always the sign that I really enjoyed this smoke. The flavor profile pretty much stays the same till the end.
Overall Impressions: CAO Nicaragua Tipitapa Scores 90
Overall, the CAO Nicaragua Tipitapa is a cigar that is perfect for outdoor smoking on a warm day. It has enough chill and complexity to keep it interesting. I would pair with a cold beverage to alleviate some of the pepper throughout, but that’s just me. This will be a welcome addition to my humidor moving forward.
About the writer Jamie Stevens
Jamie Stevens is a cigar enthusiast who has contributed both as an influencer and reviewer for close to ten years. She lives in historic York, Pennsylvania, where she works for her local government as a leader involved with the coalition on homelessness. When not working, she enjoys outdoor activities (hiking, kayaking, etc.) and spending time with her family. She appreciates all kinds of cigars, from mild-bodied all the way to stronger, full-bodied cigars. She enjoys both the higher-end sticks and the ones on the more affordable side. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook as Cigareyes717, where she has over 19,000 followers!
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