CAO Criollo Bomba

Wonderful burn, thick creamy smoke. Lots of spice, yet still mild. I really enjoyed this cigar, though I prefer a bit more of a full body.

good flavor, decent burn, a nice change from the everyday. there are better values, but it's a unique flavor of spice, vanilla, cream, & coal towards the end

Had a perfect burn. The aroma was good, but there was a hint of something I can't figure out that turned me off on the flavor. This CAO is not my forte.

exactly what to expect from a nicarauguan puro- defining tastes of the region- started off really tasty- dulled in middle- picked up at end- not strong enough for me, but good medium smoke- was expecting more of a spicy bite to come along with slight creaminess- but it never came

Great looks, solid construction with even burn and volumes of smoke. Another solid offering, but my favorite line of theirs is still the Brazilia.

A fine looking stick with a great taste from beginning to end. Definitely what I would expect from CAO. My humidor at home is always stocked with these.

I enjoyed this cigar beginning to end. Highly recommended

Just a great cigar I think, nice earthy cigar with hints of nut and coffee. At times the cigar need to be relit but the taste of the cigar makes it not a big deal at all. I get these at the shop at retail prices and they’re worth it. But there worth getting in a box or 5 back from one of the Internet suppliers. I would suggest this cigar to most people I know

This is so far one of my favorite CAO's. Just a classic smoke with good medium flavor, consistent draw and fine aroma.

When at the tobacconist to buy a box of my favorite Padron's, I always pick up a handful of sticks from other makers. On this occasion one of these was a Criollo and it blew me away! The taste was out of this world and the following morning I was back to buy a box, but as no full boxes were available, I scooped up the 6 remaining loose ones. Unfortunately, not one of these ever managed to live up to that first stick. Oh well, back to the hunt!

Consistent smoke that is worth its price. A stick that should be in one's humidore.

Although I liked the Pato a little better, this is also a very good cigar. Spicy nicaraguan earth at light, this is medium+ in body and well balanced but slightly 1D overall. These all seem to turn somewhat milder in the 2nd half, where the Patos stay smooth and stronger to the last half inch. Bigger is not always better!

And I thought the robusto was good. This cigar is the perfect size. It allows you to experience the full flavor of this cigar. Starts out sharp and then it mellows out a little bit to a smooth flavor without becoming mild. It's a great cigar. It does tend to get a little hot towards the end. It's my everyday smoke and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great, affordable everyday smoke that will never disappoint.

After smoking 2 of these I just don't get all the rave reviews. Both were aged in my box for over 40 days. Gauge said "good" to smoke. Just average in it's slightly shiny light brown appearance (who cares). Both had an uneven burn. First had a nice draw, second had a tight draw that needed poking and massaging that still never really opened up right. Medium to mostly full bodied in overall character. I did get some classic straight "Cuban" tobacco type of flavor that reminded me of a Cuban Cohiba. Aside from a tobacco taste, both had nothing to accompany this flavor which made the overall experience one demensional and mundane. It was just a plain, good, smooth cigar. Nothing more. Please note that I am the only reviewer so far to be unimpressed with these. Value rating based upon $6.

A dark brown, toothy wrapper, with a little bit of oil to it......had amazing tastes....it started out with a very easy draw, that was smooth and delightful; filling the palate with flavors that began with earth (lemongrass and nuts), moving to a charred, aged flavor, that mellowed into a vanilla, creamy finish.....smoked it to my fingers....construction was flawless, odor was delicious, another great cigar from C.A.O

Of the Criollo line I feel the Bomba and Conquistodor are the best. The Bomba was a pure joy to smoke, wonderful burn, plenty of smoke, great draw. Flavor is smooth, mellow and earthy. Can't say enough great things...

A delightful anytime smoke, with spicy overtones and a long time burn. Flavor does seem to wander a bit, but overall one of the best smokes legal in the US. Appearance on the irregular side, burn a bit erratic, but the blend makes up for it.

After unwrapping the gar from its tissue- the wrapper is beautiful to behold. Even and slightly oily. Seemingly perfectly contructed. Lit up- and a wonderfull taste of nuts and aged tobacco. A balanced medium smoke. The CAO Criollo Bomba serves as a reminder of what a pleasure and luxury it is to smoke a premium handmade. Top marks.

I've never had a Cuban cigar, but if they're anything like this, I can understand why people rave about them so much. The presentation is unique with a separate ring around a tissue paper wrapper. The cigar it's self was flawless. I smoked it to a nub, and have the burn mark on my lip to prove it! I’ll be stocking my humi with plenty of these.

creamy, volumous smoke, sweet balanced.

This stick is so hard not to love...it's so...cuban...in taste, constuction and body. Incredibly rich mouthfuls of smoke from a perfect construct...complex (to me) tobacco flavors with a hint of coffee, cocoa and spice with a very nice finish. This wrapper is my very favorite non-cuban wrapper, and the CAO Criollo is one of my top five overall. The best bang for the buck, too, if you check out some online discounters...I pay under $4.10 for these...to me, a steal.

This cigar was recommended to me by my tobaccanist as the first CAO I ever tried. Needless to say I was very impressed with the tight performance of this cigar. I had it after a medium sized dinner and it complemented it perfectly. The draw was nice and even with a thick robust flavor. The smoke itself was moderately heavy and it was smooth all the way through. This cigar is what introduced me to the CAO line. I've been smoking them ever since.

Excellent construction, perfect burn and drawn. The wrapper shows very few veins. Loads of thick smoke and slow burning. Nice flavor, perhaps a little dry tasting. Some bite to the last half. Pretty powerful.

This was a very surprising smoke. The presentation was very original, down to the paper wrapper used to cover the vitola was a nice touch. The wrapper had very small veins and a slight sheen. No soft spots. It burned perfect. Ash was grey and very firm. The first 3rd was very quiet, but grew to great flavors after. Smooth finish. Over all, this is one I would recommend. Very well constructed and with plenty of Flavor.