CAO Flathead V660 Carb Review

Flathead V660 Carb
Made by: CAO
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 by 60

CAO cigars puts out some interesting lines, from my own experiences the notable ones are the Lx2 and the Brazilia. This cigar is from the flathead releases, this ring gauge is on the larger size and I believe I have had a couple before. However, I recall them being decent but not really memorable. Let’s see if this can outperform my expectations with a CAO Flathead V660 Carb Review.

Prelight

Visible seams, small to medium sized veins. The wrapper has a good amount of tooth to it, the cap decently done but has been compressed by the box press. The box press is pretty sharp, almost square. The band is pretty simple, a fruity sweetness on the foot with sweet cream and leather. The cut was not very good, I would probably recommend a punch on this cigar. The cap fell of and there was a slight amount of unraveling. Extremely easy draw, and sharp red pepper on the prelight draw, I hope the pepper does not overwhelm the rest of the notes.

1/3

Slightly difficult to light, the light sweetness that was on the foot is still present, there is a very subtle note underneath. That note is heavy oak and it is slightly bitter. Leather and a mix of black and red pepper on the finish. Heavy smoke thickness high smoke production. Good body coming in at a medium to full and low to medium strength. Cream isn’t really effecting the profile despite the tooth of the cigar. At the very end of the first third nearing the second, leather is up on the front alongside a bitter cocoa, the finish has actually transitioned significantly it is now black pepper forward. It is still a mixed note the red pepper is much more soft them the black, but is still notable on the wrapper. Sturdy ash and the body is maintaining a medium to full, strength is rising slowly but hasn’t yet reached medium.

2/3

As I enter the second third the burn line has been constantly good throughout the cigar, the ash is slightly flaky but holds very well, about an inch and a half. Still high smoke production smoke thickness is increased slightly. That pepper continues to rise in the finish. As I reach the end of the second third the cigar is still a medium to full body and the strength is up to a medium. Not the most interesting flavors but it is building and body and strength as the cigar burns down. Dry leather is now on the front and the mixed pepper still controls the finish. The sweetness seems to still be present but it is significantly subdued. The mixed pepper note is still black pepper forward and red behind.

3/3

In the last third the dry leather continued to be prominent on the front with the pepper notes controlling the finish. There is still an oak in the background, the sweetness is gone though. Till the end the body maintained at a medium to a full and the strength held at a medium. The nub did get squishy and hot. The burn line was not razor sharp, but held pretty straight through majority of the cigar.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes

Conclusion: 84

This is a bit of a large ring gauge for a cigar that is box pressed. An interesting thing is that the band acts as a good grip if you normally hold the cigar between your index and middle finger. Overall it was a decent cigar, not exceptionally complex. The transitions were good, the flavors were bolder justifying the medium to full body. This would be a great cigar for a day working on the yard. I don’t want to call it a yardgar, because it is better than the usual yardgar. Decent price, this is one of those offerings that should be tried out. This line has quite a following, if you like the ring gauge I could see it being attractive as something less attention grabbing but still maintaining a good body.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com