CAO Sopranos Soldier (6� x 54) Review

[Cafone]

First off let me say hi to all the lowland gorillas. I have been a member of this website since I was introduced to the fine art of cigar smoking.
I have learned practically everything from this business thanks to everyone in this amazing and best cigar forum in the web.
This is my first review to post. I am a fan of CAO since I started 4 months ago, have tried about every different type out there.
Today after work decided to visit my cigar bar and I was told about the new CAO cigar that just came in: The sopranos.
I approached the humidor and was amazed by the design and beauty of the packaging quite impressive. Observed three different types, Boss, soldier and associate. Decided to buy the soldier. Prize was high for a CAO the stick costed 12.50. Decided to spend the money and check it out. Served myself a Starbucks espresso doppio macchiato and decided to light it up.
The band was as if designed by Armani never seen anything like it. I thought the MX2 was impressive...well surpassed. So anyhow I just wondered if it tasted as good as it looked and costs.
The construction was immaculate. Smell was spicy. After lighting it it yielded a spicy leathery/earth taste. Burning was dissapointingly uneven since start, had to even it by turning and lighting it with my torch. Same taste was present the first third. Second third was still leathery but with a touch of nuts. Became full bodied and a bit bitter but sweet at the same time. Uneven burning continued. Had to purge it and afterwards the last third it turned still quite bitter and hot. Decided to put it out with 2 inches remaining. Ash wasnt as I would have expected especially due to uneven burning.
Overall was a good smoke, dissapointed in price vs quality of cigar. Presentation of the cigar impressive; but of course the smoking should be the most important part. I would smoke another one maybe after some aging (i.e. probable cause of uneven burning). I think that at the end of the day for the price of a VSG caliber cigar would be better appreciated.
Still, as a CAO fan I will take a chance on the $15.50 dollar Boss and the 10.50 associate Sopranos some other time.
Anyhow, pleasure to post in this awesome forum! Hope this review helps someone looking into this cigar. Here is some more info from this cigar:
http://www.luxist.com/entry/1234000893053077

[jaxf250]

Nice review! Seems your experience is in line with a lot of others' thinking here at CS, in that the Sopranos line is more marketing/glitz than any remarkable tobacco or flavor, which is disappointing when you realize CAO makes some other very nice sticks for a lot less $$ (my favs are the Brazilia line).

Keep up the reviews!

[RPB67]

Nice Review.

I have had two Soprano cigars.One had burn problems. I am going to blame that on the way it was stored. Someone gave it to me and I smoked it at a poker game. All in all this is a good cigar that I found medium to full bodied. I thought the burn problems was due to me chomping and puffing a little faster than normal and that this was gifted to me and probably wasnt stored very well.

But,now after reading your review HHHMMMM... I do not know.

[Jkbd33]

I think these are a lot like the Red dot Cohiba's. They are a decent-great stick. However they are way overpriced.

[Cafone]

RPB67: indeed I forgot to mention it was medium to full bodied. I guess that shows my novice experience of reviewing. lol.
Nice that your friend gave it to you its quite an expensive stick

[fitter4570]

Nice reveiw,very infomative,haven't had the opportunity to try this particular line from CAO,but are very impresssed with there line.

[Poriggity]

Ive been itching to try this one for a while, and most everything I have read about them, apart from this review has been outstanding.
Scott