CAO Esteli TAA Exclusive 2018

The 2018 TAA Exclusive season is underway with the release of the CAO Esteli TAA Excusive 2018. Each year 80+ of the top retailers in the nation along with some top manufacturers get together for the annual Tobacconist Association of America. At these meetings, TAA Exclusives are offered and these cigars become quickly sought after by cigar passionado’s around the world.

Cigar Review: CAO Esteli TAA Exclusive 2018
Wrapper: Nicaragua (Jalapa)
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Size: Toro

The Look: Packaged in a single row 10 count box, The CAO Esteli TAA Exclusive features a simple band of white, gold and black. On the side of the band is the TAA 50th logo. The Jalapa grown wrapper has a velvet like feel under the fingers with a few thin veins. It’s no exactly a pretty looking wrapper, but it’s well rolled with a well packed foot.

The Notes: The cold draw of the CAO Esteli TAA Exclusive 2018 offers up a cold draw of cocoa and tea biscuits. The aroma off the foot of the cigar has a subtle leather and cedar component as well. Once the cigar is lit the first note of the cigar is a roasted coffee bean.

Moving into the first third the roasted coffee bean notes remain dominant with a hint of dark chocolate in the background. As we progress deeper, the dark chocolate notes transition to a sweeter cocoa note. The finish of the cigar has a subtle leather to it with some almond extract on the retrohale.

As we move into the second third almond notes become the focal point with a subtle marzipan with the later fading away around the half way point. The primary note for the second third is roasted coffee, with a subtle leather. On the retrohale the almond note is amplified, creating a rather enjoyable experience.

As we close out the cigar, coffee notes remain constant, with some almond notes and a touch of leather. The cigar has an enjoyable meaty aroma, some cedar, leather and pepper on the retorhale.

The Finish: Ask most people my age what some of their go to cigars were in the 90’s and many will tell you CAO. Over the years the line has changed becoming a shell of what it once was in its heyday. The CAO Esteli TAA Exclusive is a nice walk down memory lane and for those who collect TAA releases its definitely worthy of a purchase.

Score: 90
Price: $8.99 / $80.99 (Box of 10)