Cigar Review: Evil Snowman

Originally published on Tiki Bar Online.

Tis’ the season for limited holiday releases. Davidoff, Fuente, and several others bring out their specialty sticks at this time of the year. CAO has weighed in with two of it’s own special cigars: The Angry Santa, and the Evil Snowman. These are tweaks of the La Traviata Line.This is a surprising move considering CAO has been rather quiet since General Cigar acquired them a few years ago. I have tried both offerings but I will focus on the Snowman.

Looking at the Connecticut wrapper, I noted a nice oily sheen, in fact I can feel the oils on my fingers. The maduro was very dark and rich looking. There were some small vanes but nothing to detract from what was sure to be a good smoke. The binder is Honduran and the filer is Nicaraguan. After lighting, there was plenty of spice and earthy flavors which lasted though out the cigar in varying degrees. The retro-hale yielded notes of coffee, and maduro sweetness. The burn line was razor thin and the white ash firm. As I smoked the the second third the flavors remained constant. The smoke was very thick as it swirled around my head before traveling upward. It even left an oily coating in my mouth. The burn and draw continued excellent. As I smoked down to the end the cigar displayed some hints of coffee and toast while keeping the earthy flavors to the forefront. I smoked it to the very end.

As mentioned, I tried both the Snowman and the Santa. I must say I liked the Snowman better, so did everyone else, judging from the near empty box on the humidor shelf. As these are holiday offerings, they won’t be around for long, so if your shop has them or should you come across them in your travels, give them a try. Smoke them both if possible. And have a Merry Christmas!