CAO America Monument

This is a handsome cigar that from leaf to band does everything right when it comes to appearance. The Cigar is solidly packed and draws like a dream. I have heard from many that this cigar benefits from a little age so I have hidden it away in the humidor for 3 months prior to smoking. The pre-light draw was easy and gave hints of sweet earthiness. It lit very readily and started delivering ample smoke with a mild earthy spiciness. First third settled into a fairly mellow spice with earth and oak flavors. These flavors continue the rest of the smoke with nothing else rising up. As I smoked it the flavor became more and more muted. Pretty disappointing smoke once you light it.

beautiful looking cigar with the pinstripe and stars-n-stripes label, well constructed, medium to full bodied, leather notes, slightly uneven burn, solid white ash, good smoke.

This is a pretty gar to look at. Makes you proud to be an American cigar afficiando. Using a fish cut and zippo flame kiss to light this one up, the initial burn was wonderful to look at. The central top ignites evenly while the double wrap stayed unignited cushioning the inital draw. Flavor was apparent on first puff, extremely easy draw but not a lot of smoke. The flavor was EXTREMELY earthy, couldnt quite say coffee or nutty, but there was something there. The flavor quickly died though and this gar began to resemble an hoyo or vegas but without all the flavor. Very consistent burn great construction. A good choice for a give a way gar to friends who dont know the hobby.

Seriously, 6 months of age and the flavor blossoms. If you get them and smoke them "young" they'll be virtually flavorless.

This is a toasty, bready kind of smoke. Someone mentioned the flavors of soft-pretzels when describing this stick, which I think is fairly accurate. Construction is pretty good, as well as draw. The ash, however, is a little on the average side and the burn tends to be off. I personally think these are overpriced smokes, but not all that bad.

Although it looks really good - it ended up being for me too pricey, single dimensional, uneven burn, no real flavor to speak of - overall a boring smoke. Put it out a little over 1/2 the way through and lit up a CAO MX2 - night and day!

This cigar, although a bit pricey, had a great flavor to it. Expresso, with a hint of nutmeg, and other spices mixed throughout. It is a bit more of a stronger medium bodied cigar, than a full bodied stick. First third had some burn issues being a tad uneven, with correct burn in the middle, followed again by an uneven burn, but I very much enjoyed the overall experience.

This cigar didn't have any flavors that jumped out, which made it a borning hour and a half. This could have been one of the worst burning cigars i have ever smoked. I had the fix the burn over 5 or 6 times. This cigar has turned me away from CAO, they are a falling company in my opinion.

Thought this cigar was a well constructed stick with a wonderful "pinstripe" look. The ash was long and burn was even for me so no complaints there. Personally, I tasted earthy and leathery notes. Wasn't full bodied like some people said but that's fine with me. Enjoyed it with good company.

Did not meet my expectations. Really neat looking stick, started with considerable burn problems and a bit dry tasting. Past halfway developed well with minimal burn problems. For the money, I'll stick with the Brazilia.

Completely agree with micholindo. This is a very tasty, medium bodied smoke that stays consistent throughout. Drew well with a clean burn and no issues. Another solid smoke from CAO. Unfortunately, it is a little pricey and thus loses some score in the value category. I will be purchasing more and recommend this stick.

What can I say that the other reviewers before me haven't said. Although CAO's website chalks this stick up as full bodied I have to say that it falls more to the medium body category. It is a smooth cigar with a good draw and ample smoke. This may be in part that the wrapper is actually two wrappers (dos capas). The majority of the wrapper is an oily chestnut broadleaf, while a thin racing stripe of shade leaf spirals over the stick. Thus you have something visually stunning as well as a sublime flavor combination. Speaking of which, the flavor stays consistent throughout the stick. All in all a great cigar. (Now if I could get some for a good price on auction).

I was given one of these by a business associate right before a trip out of town with my wife and enjoyed it with a bottle of Shiraz. Great mellow taste, smooth, cool, and even burning. A very distinguished cigar indeed.

so i work at the cigar store... bossman goes off to a cigar convention in texas and brings back at least 50 free ones they were handing out there... he labeled a bunch of them junk and threw them in a "buy one get one" bucket and others he put in his stash and others were mine... he told me we're gonna be carrying a whole bunch of new stuff, and i asked him if we could get the vision because it impressed me pretty good... he informed me of CAO's new one that he thinks is even better, the america... and he gave me one... i lit it up and i found the draw to give me a little resistence but generally just right for the draw, the strength was about medium and it was full of flavor... i loved it... it was definately better in my opinion than the vision, which i really liked, but the america is simply better (and cheaper)... slow even burn, firm white ash, good draw, excellent construction, impressive looks... my only complaint is that because it's new, most cigar stores dont have it yet, so i cant get another one until our shipment arrives