CAO Criollo Conquistador

After smoking the Mancha, I was a bit worried that the Conquistador might disappoint. It was definitely better, maybe because it was aged a few more months in the humidor. I'll try a Mancha in a few months and let everyone know. Anyway like other reviewers said, this gar has the taste of leather "big time" and it was a pleasant leather taste. Sure there were other taste like spice and nuts, but the leather came through. It was built good if not great and gave me a pleasant evening smoke. I like the old-time band look that gives it the sense that it's been aged.

I was quite impressed with the look and flavor the Conquistador. Spicy wood and leathery sweetness made this one a pleasure to smoke. It did begin to fade after halfway but when purged came back to life with flavor. Retail is ridiculous but for around $4 a throw it's quite good..

usually i smoke the pampa size of this smoke so i was interested in the larger size/ring gauge. The torpedo is visually appealing, and i did enjoy the criollo wrapper. Burns with a sweet spice and some leather, but surprisingly quick. The sweetness reminds me of a cameroon wrapper, but the smoke is certainly not as mild. I wish they had 1/2 increments on the overall experience because this deserves a 7.5.

i did not like the taste of this cigar. this is the first CAO that I have not liked. maybe I just got a bad one. I will try another but as far as this goes there was almost no taste. burned good and all that but just was lacking in the taste dept.

I tried 2 of these sticks after trying the pampa, both were lose on the draw, lost all flavor cause of that, not trying a 3rd one.

A nicely crafted torpedo with good color to the wrapper and a nice band. It has a very good draw producing lots of smoke but the burn is inconsistent and needs the occasional relight--a surprise since I usually give CAO's 9's on construction. I guess this particular wrapper doesn't burn well or it needs to be stored at different humidity, not sure. This was a leathery, nutty, and spicy smoke. I don't find these to be mild as others do, and I actually think they're one of CAO's more potent smokes. Humidor time tames them some but they still induce a buzz. A bit expensive but a good cigar.

Milder than I thought. Just not great in the flavor dept. Over priced and over hyped but the presentation was nice with the trays.

Espresso and bittersweet chocolate with a slightly spicy hint here and there. Had some burn troubles with a split head and a really crooked burn.

Wow. I was extraordinarily under whelmed by this one. Had such high hopes. Paid a lot for it; it looked good, smelled good; cool looking ring and solid construction sitting there in the humidor for a few months. I had to re-cut it three times to get any smoke out of the thing. It didn’t burn well, kept going out. Tasted ho hum—no better than the bundled Scimitars that have aged going on 7 months. In fact I like them better due to lower expectation. Oh well. I’m working through the cigars and time marches on. Hit and miss. This Conquistador couldn’t conquer Brigham on the Chicken Hill let alone a continent.

I really enjoyed this cigar. It did suprise me though. It was a lot milder than I expected. It still had that great taste though. The construction was great as all the CAO's I have had. The draw was perfect and the burn was razor sharp. It also held a nice ash. And the flavor was very good too.

I was a bit surprised by this cigar. It wasn't as nice as my previous experiences I'd had with CAO. (Anniversary and Cameroon) It ws almost too mild, almost bland. In all fairness, Since I've only experienced total dissappointment with the Odyssey, I'm willing to buy another and let it age a bit, then try again.

It's pretty simple, the Criollos are -different- but not ridiculous. This wrapper is more like frog skin than tobacco but pure luxury and actual taste is all you get out of it. When this smoke is on the tongue, you feel like you've finished off a blackened tilapia dish with a side of remoulade. CAO is always spot on with construction, but the Conquistador is certainly superior to the rest of the line's sizes. I certainly don't think this cigar was test marketed, as it's more of a challenge to a cigar smoker to appreciate versus being spoon fed to you in with a $15 cuban sounding name. Worth every penny.

This is a good looking, well made figurado. Tasty prelight draw...the wrapper smacks with a slight sweetness. Good overall flavor profile: spicy, grassy and smooth. Even burn...lots of smoke and enjoyable down to the nub.

I have tried a number of CAO cigars and never been disappointed. They might not replace your Patron Anniversarys, Don Carlos or benchmark Cubans...but they are a solid smoke.

THESE GUYS JUST PLAIN MAKE A DAMN FINE CIGAR....CANCEL MY FLIGHT TO HAVANA BOYS, I'M GOING TO ESTELI INSTEAD!! THIS IS A VERY NICE MADE TORPEDO, BURNED LIKE A CHAMP AND HADE THAT OLD WORLD TASTE THAT REMINDED ME OF A UPMANN 2 (OR SOME OTHER EARTHY CUBAN). IN THE END, I WAS VERY PLEASED, BUT LACKED THE FLAVOR TO MAKE ME EMPTY A TRAY OF EXTREMES TO MAKE ROOM...WILL TRY AGAIN DOWN THE ROAD.

I last reviewed this cigar on 7/17/05 and this one was as great as the last. I still had some burn problems that needed to be addressed but not as bad as the last one. The great flavor more than compensates for the burn issue.

At the start, this cigar had a hard draw, and was very harsh. A second cut took care of the draw, and after an inch the cigar mellowed out. i really felt that this cigar got better as it went one, but buy the time it became a decent cigar, if was almost done. The construction was fine, taking only one relight. Definitly not my favorite C.A.O

This was a very rich tasting cigar, you almost wanted to chew the smoke. Plenty of smoke, leather, cedar, very earthy, smooth as well. Draw was great although it canoed twice and needed correction. Despite the burn issue, a wonderful cigar.

Great flavor. Not up to Ashton VSG, Partagas Black label, or Cusano Xclusivo, which are my current favorites (if that helps), but one I would have been willing to buy by the box if the wrappers on the singles I bought hadn't shredded completely in my hand. Half way through, the wrapper was mostly gone. I loved the taste, so I didn't complain, but the shop owner noticed and gave me some comps. Left them in my humi a few weeks, but they had the same problem and that is a very rare experience for me. Great taste leaves me feeling bad about giving the low overall rating, but...

Absolutely one of the best cigars I have ever smoked. It was like a piece of heaven rolled up in the most fantastic wrapper I’ve experienced. Everything about this nice butt was outstanding. It would rate a perfect 10 if you could get them for a couple bucks a stick. I guess I would be in heaven if that happened.

I matured a box of these and don't like them more now than before the aging. They strike me as a bit herbal with a hint of chocolate. However, I find them a rough smoke with decent construction. Pass on this.

Look out, this one can kick your butt. The Criollo wrapper gives this stick a classic flavor, with a bit of a punch. Construction was flawless, and I liked the tissue wrapper with a separate cloth ring. It was a nice touch on an excellent cigar. I don’t usually have more than an hour to smoke, so the box I ordered will likely mature for a while in my Humi, but I’ll always look forward to having an exceptional experience when I light one of these. The shorter Pato, and Pampa Criollo’s are already a mainstay in my humi, while the Conq, will be a much savored treat.

Rich flavor with a great aroma. Super nice wrapper and presentation. Nice draw, good burn. Hints of lichee and wood. Compliments a good cup of java. Cut tip lower to improve draw.

I have smoked several Criollos, in different vitolas. As others have noted, my initial impressions were positive, with some similarities to Habanos. To make a fair comparison, over the weekend I first smoked several Cubans, including a Partagas Serie D No. 1 LE, an Upmann Magnum 46, and a Montecristo No. 2, followed by the Conquistador. To begin, this is a handsome torpedo, not unlike the Monte 2 in construction and appearance. The wrapper is a lovely rosado, which unfortunately is prone to breaking. First draws had a woody flavor, with a distinctive "twang" reminiscent of Habanos. These qualities developed through most of the cigar. This is not a strong smoke, but retains its medium body. Although pleasant, it lacked the full flavors of the Monte and Partagas, and fell flat near the end. The finish was weak. I had no desire to nub it, like I did the delightful Mag 46. This is no Habano, but CAO deserves credit for its effort in creating an excellent cigar with a somewhat "Cuban" flavor profile. Very tangy and satisfying.

I had a couple of these recently and liked them a lot, but in the price range there is a lot of competition. I prefer the smaller cigars in this family.

this is a pretty good cigar but i wasn't that impressed by it. i would say that it's worth a try if the price is right.

This is the cigar that got me turned on to Nicaraguan gars. It is a mellow, smooth cigar with a great aroma and taste. I tried to save a few for additional aging in my humidor but just couldn't do it.

The wrapper came apart making it difficult to draw. I am not a fan of torpedo's anyway, they are not comfy in the mouth. A very peppery stick that is medium to full bodied. Not much other flavors, pretty much one dimensional. Reminds me of a Torano silver. I will stick to the Brazilia gol!

This cigar was strong, almost too strong, right from the start. However, the Conquistador adds a nice finish to a palate that has already received several milder smokes for the evening. Characterstic flavor is pepper and piquant, with a hint of hardwood and earthen flavors. No fruity undertones that I could detect. For best smoking flavor, let this one age awhile instead of smoking directly out of the box--the wrapper tends to break so leave the band on!

Loved the first one, bought a box and can't find that same satisfaction in the others.

close to Cuba--except aroma. Only C.A.O I'd smoke

A very nice cigar with a great crillo taste. The best of class. Inconsist between cigars. Some great some good but always a nice smoke

Calm smooth smoke. Typical CAO quality. The flavor was good, but lacked that special something that other CAO lines bring to me. Unique packaging if that means anything.

Awesome tastes of cedar. The cigar was well made constructed. Burned even and smooth. Go try one today!!!

No cigar should be reviewed until you smoke at least two. When I first smoked and reviewed this cigar I thought it was great but after trying a second I have changed my mind. This cigar is bland, dry, flat and one dimensional. It is smooth but that is about it. Construction is also lacking with very CAO characteristic tight draw. I don't know, maybe the second cigar was bad or maybe the line is just subpar--alas, after smoking others in this line I believe the truth to be the latter.

Spicy cigar that didn't change much during the entire smoke. It would be good with a sweet beverage to set it off.

Nice coffee and nutmeg flavor, smooth smoke. This is a great addtion to the already excellent CAO line of cigars.

mild, even smoke! sweeter as it progresses.....only flaw....a white powder (from the paper wrap???).....

Nice spicy easy draw. Pleasant taste but never got beyond mild. Well packaged tho mine had fine white powder.... mold?

I love the flavor of this cigar. Consistent, smooth, delicious goodness. Each one of these I've had has had a perfect burn and draw. I highly recommend these to anyone looking for a tasty, first class smoke. Price is always an issue living in California.

Smooth was about all this cigar was. It drew nice, a little spice. The flavor however never picked up. It burned well and very nicely presented, but I don't buy cigars to look at the wrapping or the box. Also over priced.

This cigar is one of the best in the world. The equal of both the Padron 1964 and Cuban Partagas number 4. In fact this cigar has the exact characteristics of the Cuban Partagas and other really great Cubans I have smoked--smooth, round, refined, and balanced. Sweet aromatic smoke and slight subtle spice. No one flavor is a standout just outstanding balance and symmetry. To top it all off the cigar cost under $8.00. The only flaw is a slightly tight draw.

This is a good cigar, but it should cost less. There are a lot of less expensive alternatives of comparable quality.

A smooth pleasant, medium to full bodied smoke with subtle hints of spice. Flavors somewhat complex, but consistent throughout. Difficult to find any flaws in it's construction. Good, solid firm whitish/gray ash, easy draw with plenty of smoke, and an even burn....very enjoyable!

ONe of the smoothest cigars I have ever smoked. Seemed to keep its flavor throughout. I'll be surprised to see the ratings CAO garners fro mthis cigar, as it was quite good.