CAO FASA cigars are made in two different countries in two different versions having distinctive wrappers, but share the same binder and filler tobaccos. The blend consists of filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, which is bound by a Cameroon binder. Both versions were released in April 2024, and each is available in two sizes (Toro 6 x 50) and Gigante (6 x 60) priced at $6.99 and $7.99, respectively. This is a review of the Toro size of each expression. For more information about these cigars, please check out the press release.
Review of CAO FASA Sol Cigar
CAO FASA Sol cigars are made in Honduras and feature a Honduran OSA wrapper. The first sample cigar was apparently not ready to be smoked. It required numerous relights and touch-ups, and did not have a very enjoyable taste. However, after an additional week in a humidor, the next sample improved significantly. The cigar began with a smooth mild-to-medium bodied start and a modest amount of light spice. The spice gradually became more pronounced during the next 15 minutes or so, and was accompanied by some notes of citrus. After 30 minutes of total smoking time, the cigar had slowly moved up to medium-plus bodied, where it remained for the duration of the smoking session.
The CAO FASA Sol Toro took me 80 minutes to smoke it down to two inches remaining, At the half-way point, one relight was required, and a touch-up was needed 25 minutes later. The cigar held a long ash and had a very good draw. The burn stayed mostly even until the second half of the cigar, when a couple of corrections were applied as previously indicated. It is also noted that this CAO FASA Sol burned much slower and lasted longer than the Noche version, reviewed below.
The CAO FASA Sol cigar is a decent cigar having some complexity, and is worthy of a good-enough rating of 3.5 points on a 5-point scale. It would be an appropriate choice for most levels of cigar smokers, except newbies. However, I preferred the CAO FASA Noche over this Sol version.
Review of CAO FASA Noche Cigar
CAO FASA Noche cigars are made in Nicaragua and feature a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. The sample cigar started off with a dominate and very pleasant full Maduro flavor having a subtle sweetness along with hints of spice. After about 10-15 minutes, the Maduro flavor tamed down just a bit, and the texture of the smoke became smoother as an earthy flavor entered the mix. During the next 20-30 minutes, the body was gradually becoming fuller, moving into the medium-to-full range. The strength of the cigar also ramped up a bit, but not over the top. The predominate full Maduro taste at the beginning reemerged along with some notes of espresso, making for an interesting transition of flavors.
During the 65 minutes that it took me to smoke the CAO FASA Noche Toro cigar down to about 1½ inches remaining, the cigar held a long ash, had a very good draw and an even burn which did not require any relights nor touch-ups.
I enjoyed smoking the CAO FASA Noche Toro cigar and rate it with a good 3.75 points on a 5-point scale. At a price of only $6.99 per stick, it is worth a try for all fans of Maduro cigars. CAO FASA Noche could be a bit full and/or strong for newer cigar smokers, but should be very enjoyable for most mainstream puffers and connoisseurs.
Importance of the Wrapper Leaf
The wrapper is typically the most expensive tobacco leaf of a cigar. On average, it usually provides about half of a cigar's flavor. The actual amount can vary depending on the particular types of wrapper and filler tobaccos used, as well as the circumference (ring gauge) of the cigar. The smaller the ring gauge, the greater the ratio of wrapper leaf to filler leaves, boosting the importance of the wrapper's influence on the cigar's overall flavor. This is why different sizes in the same line of cigars can taste and burn a bit different – the cigars use the same tobacco but in different proportions.
The CAO FASA Sol and Noche cigars use the same fillers and binder, only the wrappers are different. However, the flavor profiles of each of the same Toro size cigars are completely different. This clearly demonstrates the importance of the wrapper to the overall flavor of these particular cigars. If interested, then I recommend that you smoke and compare both versions of CAO FASA cigars to taste the difference for yourself.
Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer.
New CAO FASA Sombra Cigars Available in April 2025
