Reviewer bio:

Tim Castleman is living life one cigar at a time. With a drink in his hand, a cigar in his mouth, and wife who is sleeping he finds happiness. Best of all he celebrated the big 30 in Vegas recently and wanted to share the trip, and his cigars with everyone – but since you weren’t invited this is the best we could do.

Vitola: Robusto
Size: 5.5×54
Wrapper: Brazil
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium-Full
Cost: $6.00 per
Purchase: indulgecigars.com

I made reservations at Mon Ami Gabi for my 30th Birthday Dinner. If you go to Las Vegas – eat at Mon Ami Gabi. It’s a little expensive but so worth it. Between the hand cut chips, the cheese plate and wine selection you owe it to yourself to at least have a glass of wine there. Yes even all you beer drinkers out there – live a little. And my personal recommendation is the Filet Mignon with wine reduction sauce. The best steak I’ve ever had in my life and this is coming from a guy who knows his steaks.

Where was I, oh yes the cigar. Since it was my 30th I wanted to enjoy a great cigar with a wonderful glass (that means bottle in French) of wine. I picked the new CAO Brazilla Boxed Pressed cigar. This is a great cigar with great construction and draw that CAO has become known for. Each puff gave me a ton of smoke that filled the air and my wine glass time and time again.

The first third produced a razor sharp burn and tons of flavor.  When I first started smoking cigars the Brazilla was too strong for my taste but now they just right. I’d put it on the stronger side of medium bodied but not so strong it will knock your socks off.  The flavor and smoke continue well into the second third of the cigar. I don’t notice any changes in the taste – just a consistent and enjoyable smoke.  Part of me is trying to compare this cigar to the 777 from last night but it isn’t possible. They are totally separate cigars and I enjoy both of them equally.

I have zero complaints about this cigar. I am usually not a boxed press cigar fan but these are so radically pressed that it looks like your smoking on a box of matches.  I put the cigar out with a third of it left. Just in time for a dessert of three different ice creams served on a hollowed out cream puff. I have to give this the second best cigar of the trip (behind the 777).  Tomorrow I have to catch a way to early flight back home to Texas but hopefully in honor of my 30th birthday I won’t get much sleep.