A "TWISTED" evening

[skibumdc]

I have been holding my Taboo Twist cigars in the humi for about 6-8 months and decided after dinner I should bring it down to my local B&M to hang out with my regular crew. The staff doesn't mind because we usually buy a smoke while there as well.

2 cigars were on tap for this evening
1) Taboo Twist Torpedo with 4 months of age
2) CAO America Monument (6.25"x54) bought when first released from the B&M.

I started with the Taboo twist torpedo.
Took a while to light but had a dead even burn and a decent amount of smoke. Not too much, not too little, and perfect draw. Tasted creamy with a bit of earthiness. Not any spice that I could find. Overall a decent cigar.
I had a spicy dinner before the cigar and I think it may have masked some of the flavors from the Taboo. Not to worry, I have 4 other Torp's and 5 Robusto sticks as well. I was hoping for some more flavors to pop out. If I had 1 more flavor pop out it would have made this cigar a "Classic"

SO noticed in the travel humi that I had the CAO America as well, and I thought to myself. DEATH MATCH between the barber poles cigars!


This cigar was MUCH darker. The flash makes the maduro wrapper lighter than it was in person.
Nice draw, excellent wrapper construction. This has been at 65% humidity @ 72 degrees the entire time it was in the humi. The reason I note that is because after smoking about 1/2 inch the maduro wrapper seemed to lag behind a bit at times. I tried to let it self correct, but eventually I had to correct. I wound up doing that about 3 times during the smoke. Not too bad, but not perfect like the burn of the Taboo. The big difference is that is is actually 2 wrapper leafs rolled as 1. Not 1 main leaf with another left cut and wrapper on the outside of the main wrapper leaf.
Initial toast and light I tasted pepper, leather.
It overall was a DARK cigar taste, specifically taste wise. No bright flavors like cinnamon, or even coffee, creamy, butter, honey. Nothing like that.
Good draw, and average smoke, but I kind of wanted more from this cigar.


I enjoyed both cigars with the gang, and it was a fun showdown. Overall I will give it to the CAO, but I will give the Taboo another few chances, especially in the Robusto size.

[68TriShield]

Thanks for the review.I wanted more from the CAO as well.It was a disappointment though.

[Volt]

Hmmm, I would agree with you that the spicey dinner may have hurt the Twist. I like the flavors but they aren't the "in your face" types - at least to me. On the CAO - can't smokem....

[RevSmoke]

Very nice job with the reviews, liked the concise format. Interesting perspectives and opinions on the tastes.

Personally I found the Taboo much richer in flavor than the CAO. Neither is very spicy flavor-wise. What's really nice is the fact that if I have to buy it, the Taboo has the better price point.

Add the two together and it isn't any wonder why I have Taboo Twists in my humidor, and the couple CAOs I had, while enjoyed, haven't been repurchased.

It is great that we don't all go gaa-gaa over the same cigars.

[texasbadbob]

Nice review. Love the twist, have not yet tried the American.