CAO Flathead 554 Camshaft

Cigar Reviewed: CAO Flathead 554 Camshaft

Smoked at: West Chester, Ohio

The CAO Flathead 554 Camshaft is a box-pressed stick with Nicaraguan filler, a Connecticut Habano finder and a dark brown/almost black oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. The series is a salute to the American muscle car. Let’s see how much horsepower this cigar delivers.

Oak, earth, leather, mixed nuts, dried fruit. tingly pepper, spice/nutmeg, coffee, and dark chocolate. The cigar also has the taste of well-aged tobacco, cream and hints of mineral and licorice. The combination of oak, pepper, nuts, leather and aged tobacco give off a barbecue taste at times. The flavor is rich and robust from the first puffs, but does develop some harsh somewhat bitter notes as you get into the final third. The aged tobacco, wood, nuts and leather-earthiness make for enough rich flavors to carry the experience. It’s a medium-full bodied and strength. I did get a slight nic buzz by the finish so maybe it ended up full strength.

The draw was a shade on the tight side but acceptable. No need for Perfect Draw. The burn line was wavy requiring several touchups – many to no avail. Not sure the burn line was ever truly even. The smoke output was outstanding and the ash held firm for most of the smoke.

Despite its construction issues and some harshness, it was an enjoyable smoke. In retrospect, I may have been nit-picking expecting perfection. Along with the Amazon Basin series, the CAO Flathead is, in my humble opinion, the best cigar the brand has to offer. I have held this truth to be self-evident since it was released. I believe Jefferson, Franklin and Adams would agree.