CAO Vision Epiphany Review

[Bob The Cigar Ninja]

So I tried a CAO Vision Epiphany (6X50) last night to celebrate the Memorial Day weekend. I've been toying around with different review formats, I fully admit I don't really know what I'm doing but I figured I would try the below format.

Pre-light
I found it had a very robust tobacco smell to it (is that even a legit characteristic?), had pronounced veins in the wrapper, and the band stood out. A word about the band...it was a white background which really popped against the cigar. I found the graphics on the band to be cool without being overdone.

I prefer to punch the cap as opposed to cutting the cap. After I pulled the plug out and discarded the remains I found the pre-light draw to be a struggle. Then came to mind a previous thread by dj5213 titled "Whats the best way to cut/punch?" In this thread SVB made the comment, "Take it from a cigar maker such as myself. Find the "cap" and cut with a double guillotine (savoy stainless is nice and cheap) and clip. That will allow you to enjoy the cigar the way the cigar roller/maker intended."

Even as these words rang in my head and even as I continued to find the pre-light draw a struggle I guess I lost my mind when I decided to proceed on as is.

The Light
I had some trouble toasting the foot due to all the wind outside, so much for the supposed "wind proof" cigar lighter. But I did eventually get the toasting even. I had trouble getting a good draw, go figure, so the first 5 minutes was a controlled chaos of re-light plus strong draw. Finally I regained my senses, went over SVB's words in my mind again, and finally double guillotine cut the cap. Immediately the draw loosened up, a strong pepper flavor emerged, and beautiful white smoke began to flow.

1st 3rd
The burn was a disaster, but I'm pretty sure that had a lot to do with "user error." So I didn't hold it against the cigar as I made a good number of touch ups. As I worked my way through the 1st 3rd I noticed there was a slight "ashy taste." I'm not really sure what to make of this, but I kept going since I assumed my early stumbling may have led to this.

2nd 3rd
By this point the burn was better and I only had to touch once or twice. The flavor was excellent, I loved the spiciness. The "ashy taste" was gone and the "kick" of the cigar was creeping up on me. I felt like the cigar and I were "in the zone" and I could concentrate on talking with friends as opposed to salvaging a smoke .

Final 3rd
Although the burn was uneven it required no touching up. The flavor did not change from the 2nd 3rd, it was still a great spicy pepper flavor. The "kick" had really stepped up a good deal and began to wonder if I could get up out of the chair and walk a straight line. This was the moment that I felt I was truly shaking hands with the CAO Vision Epiphany cigar. The only unpleasant part of this stage was when I nubbed it down as far as I could without burning my fingers and had to toss it in the fire pit. At which point I gave it a salute and attempted to walk "normally" to the house.

Conclusion
I find it hard to complain about anything with this cigar due to my poor decision making. I kind of feel like I let the cigar down. But I did learn a good lesson. The pre-light draw is there for a reason, respect it and act accordingly. I'm still going to use the punch in the future, but I will keep my cutters close by. The price per stick was $14.50, while this seems high to me I do think that for the once in while special occasion it is worth it considering the "kick" of the cigar. If this cigar was priced closer to $9 I would buy a box.

[iloveclmore]

You shouldn't punch a torpedo shaped cigar, as the draw will be horrible. Always use a straight cut. I have a box of the Catalyst (Robusto) and they are excellent cigars.

[Rah55]

Some interesting observations. Thanks

[amateurke]

Great review Bob, I love it!!

[Paint]

Very nice review!

[LkyLindy]

Honest review is good

[eggyellow]

thanks bob, i just picked up a single Catalyst (Robusto) (along with a Soprano robusto) and have them resting in the humi right now. i have been wondering about these and yours is one of the first reviews i have read. thanks