Guest Review: CAO Brazilia Box Press
Brian and I met Matt, of Review Cigars, on Saturday while attending the Tatuaje event at the Humidour in Cockeysville, MD. Below you’ll find a sample of how Matt review’s cigars, and I think you’ll agree that he has a interesting persepctive.
CAO Brazilia Box Press- I read somewhere, can’t remember where, that when CAO was developing the Brazilia line, they were warned against using the Brazilian name and national colors. Evidently, there were some old-school cigar-world prejudices against the Brazilian tobacco industry or something like that. Turns out that didn’t affect the cigar smoker’s buying power. Just the opposite; the Brazilia line is one of CAO’s leading sellers and I can’t think of a smoker I know that doesn’t think this is a decent smoke for the money spent.
The Brazilia is a beautiful and unique looking stick. The wrapper is made of a Brazilian tobacco called Matafina. The Matafina is so dark that it almost looks black and shimmers with oil. CAO finished out the Brazilia with Nicaraguan filler and binder. The label is eye-catching, boasting the bright colors of Brazil’s flag. It might be me, but anything related to Brazil makes me think of beautiful beaches and gorgeous women. With that in mind, I reach for the Brazilia often.
The Brazilia comes in wide variety of sizes. All cleverly named after something from the country’s culture. Well, except for the one I’m reviewing. Others include the Anaconda, Gol!, Samba just to name a few. The best is the mini “Piranha”. Which is Brazilian slang for a prostitute.
Prelight– Just to let you know, this cigar is one of my go to sticks. I smoke at least one or two a week. Usually, when I review a cigar I’ve smoked before, I try and throw out all of my previous experiences and focus on that particular smoke. Today will be a hybrid of this singular smoke and my past experiences with the Brazilia.
The cigar is hands down beautiful. I think CAO had a Brazilian woman in mind when they envisioned this cigar. I will list three reasons behind my theory and you make the comparison to a sexy Brazilian in your mind.
Brazilia Box-Press vs. Brazilian Beauty
1.)The wrapper is flawless with a sheen of oil on it. It is also a little darker than it’s peers. (picture a tan Brazilian women in a thong bikini coming off the beach at Copacabana)
2.)In my opinion, this is the best-feeling box-press on the market. This stick is soft, but firm. You’ve got to squeeze it to believe. (back to the thong)
3.)It has two labels, your normal cigar label up top, and a lower label that reads “Box Press”. Because of the nature of a cigar, its best to take the bottom off first. (open for interpretation)
Ok, back to the prelight. The cigar smells sweet and begs to be smoked. Time for the torch.
Sparking it– Puff…Puff…Lit…and we’re off. The first few drags come across with a little pepper, but mostly a creamy coffee flavor. The pepper quickly subsides as the cherry cools and the smoke progresses. I’ve heard of complaints of a tight draw but have rarely encountered it. I’ve had one bad stick out of 30 or so I’ve smoked. If you run into this problem, try trimming a bit more off the cap. The ash is solid and highlights the quality build of the cigar. The lit end burns off a trail of bluish smoke and it is a pleasure to inhale the resting smoke. The cigar is a medium-full flavored, with medium body. I can’t help but focus on the creamy texture of the smoke. I really love this cigar.
Smoking it– The flavor evolves a little as the smoke goes on. I start to taste dark chocolate after the half-way point, and the cigar maintains a coffee taste throughout. A decent amount of complexity to the stick. I cannot over-emphasize the creaminess of the smoke; it is delicious. The cigar burns a little uneven at times, but a quick torch hit evens it out without issue. I’ve never had a Box-Press burn in a manner that ruined the smoke.
I recommend this to every cigar smoker out there. There are so many qualities in the cigar’s body and flavor, that everyone could have a chance of enjoying this cigar. Full-flavored smokers will find themselves chewing on the smoke, searching for the next nuance, while milder smokers will expand their horizons, enjoying a fuller smoke with such a smooth and creamy flavor.
At $6-$7 a cigar (and cheaper online) – this cigar has tremendous value. Maybe I’m a little bias, because I’m thinking of Brazilian women when I smoke it. But I think its more of the fact that this cigar fits my criteria of a great cigar.
Overall– B+
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
Nice review! FYI, they have these on sale at smokeinn.com, $35 for 10 of them. I believe the deal is only good for a few more days.
Ha! I see I gotta get up oilier to be with the oily birds!
Nice review and I absolutely agree: the CAO Br. box press is one GORGEOUS ‘gar. I would need to get a few, because otherwise my Cigar Acquisition Disorder (that’s why the ladies call me a cad, right?) would keep me from actually SMOKING such a holding.
Chocolate. Coffee. Some of the best words in this avocation’s vocab.
Good review and I agree with pretty much everything you said. The Box Press is my favorite vitola of the Brazilia line…there’s just something about it that tastes better and I’ve never had one of these with a bad draw. It’s also one of my go-to sticks.
I’ve smoked the CAO many countries line (America, Brazilia, and Italia). They are all good cigars. It is not too expensive to grab a few sticks when you at the cigar shop. Its a good well thoughtout review….
The brazilias are one of my favorites. I had one recently that sat in my humi for almost a year. They get tastier and oilier. Amazing.
nice review! These sticks, unlike most do get worse with age however, they lose much of their strength and flavor (which I love) the older they get. The best ones to me seem to be right from the factory.
Thanks for the box pressed review. I have a 5’er of Gol! coming in. Never had issues with the draw either. I did with the Montecristo I had this weekend… tight.
Just had my 1st Box press the other day thanks to the generosity of my friend Brent! Best Brazilia I have ever smoked, hands down!! Thanks Brent!
Hey guys if you liked this review – check out my website
The link is on the right side of the page at Review Cigars
Thanks alot.
Leave some comments
Nice review Chris. I sampled the Gol and found it to be a pretty enjoyable smoke. Good looking out!