Brand: CAO
Line: Odyssey 2000-2001
Length x Ring Gauge: 6.75 x 55 (Perfecto)
Country of Origin: Nicaragua, but actually a complex mixture of all the CAO lines
Strength: full bodied
Date: April 12, 2011
Notes:
I have a love/hate relationship with CAO (see previous Greek Mike review, i.e. "Syriana"). It is an interesting relationship because I love some of the CAO lines (gold, maduro, extreme), but I am not a fan of the price. The CAO Odyssey is definitely among their more expensive (and difficult to find) lines. The filler is comprised of an intricate complex of six different cuban seeded tobacco from different regions, each region reflecting a line in their cigars. It is, in fact, an Odyssey of taste (thank you Captain Obvious).
Hands down this is a great cigar. A cigar that I feel is worth the price. Any cigar hobbyist, connoisseur, admirer, or even addict must try it at least once. I first had this cigar at my friend's bachelor party in Vegas back in 2006. Sitting at a Black Jack table in the Venetian smoking these with the groom was most memorable. Winning a hand, losing a hand, in the end it didn't matter because I was smoking one awesome cigar (that and I broke even anyway). I was actually enthralled with this cigar.
Not one to trust a first time smoke (perhaps it was a fluke), I was lucky enough to acquire another Odyssey recently. I did not need to complement the cigar with any drink whatsoever.... the cigar itself had a taste of red wine. It had that very slight acidity aftertaste, the type that does not burn your tongue but provides a nice little kick. The draw on both occasions (both in 2006 and recently), was exceptionally smooth. This is the type of cigar that Odysseus himself would have enjoyed returning home from Troy.
If you ever come across this cigar, don't think of the price and indulge yourself. It is well worth the experience.
Overall: 9.8 out of 10 (I consider this cigar second only to the Partagas Serie D No 4).
