CAO FASA Noche Toro

This year, under Scandinavian Tobacco Group, CAO launched a new project featuring two cigars that share the same filler and binder. However, the project—dubbed FASA—has two tricks up the sleeve, differentiating the cigars with unique wrappers and manufacturing facilities. The variation in wrappers helps the consumer experience the effect of the wrapper on flavor profiles of the same core blend. The cigars at hand are the CAO FASA Sol and CAO FASA Noche, with the former being rolled in Honduras and the latter coming out of Nicaragua.

“We built CAO FASA on a versatile, nuanced blend that combines a Cameroon binder with fillers from the Dominican Republic and three Nicaraguan growing regions. From this foundation, we set out to highlight the importance of the wrapper on the overall experience of the cigar[…]” —Ed Lahmann, senior brand manager

CAO FASA Noche Toro Breakdown

The core design of the FASA line features a Cameroon binder, with fillers from the Dominican Republic and each of Nicaragua’s primary growing regions. That is where the similarities end. The Sol is made with a Honduran Olancho San Agustin (OSA) wrapper, while Noche features a Connecticut-grown Broadleaf wrapper. Additionally, the Sol is rolled in Honduras at the HATSA factory, and the Noche is produced at STG Estelí in Nicaragua.

These new lines are priced for the everyday cigar smoker, providing a unique opportunity to experience how much the wrapper can impact the overall flavor profile of a cigar. With the Sol line, we are given insight into the flavors of Honduran tobacco. The Noche brings the darker, bolder flavors enhanced by a Broadleaf component.

Each blend is offered in the same two formats:

Appearance

CAO FASA Noche features a sleek black and white band design, overlying a dark charcoal-hued wrapper leaf. The wrapper demonstrates mild veins and seams. The main band is simple but eye-catching, displaying a downward-facing crescent cutout that highlights the color of the wrapper through the window-like negative space. The bottom portion of the band has a pointed cutout facing downward, which matches the V-shaped notch in the foot band; the latter simply states the name of the cigar in black lettering: “NOCHE.”

The FASA Noche comes in 24-count boxes, which use a light-grain wood. The sides of the box mimic the design of the band, with “CAO FASA NOCHE” in the same font. Again, we see the downward-facing triangular point on the box lid, which almost appears like an arrow pointing the way to the cigars nestled in the box. This feature is very pleasing to the eye, and gives a nice cohesive feel to the cigars and the box together. Finally, the boxes have a distinctive feature where the lid splits in two, allowing the top portion to serve as a shelf-talker; meanwhile, the bottom piece can be placed under the box, propping it up to enhance visibility in humidors.

Smoking Experience

Initially, there is an aroma reminiscent of funky farm cheese on the wrapper. As you move to the foot, there is quite a change, as it has a bit of a floral aroma. With a straight cut to the cap and a cold draw, there is a pleasing salted potato chip component. With a proper toast of the CAO FASA Noche, the Broadleaf wrapper starts off with thick smoke coming off the end of the cigar. There is an intense taste of red pepper along with a mild, musty flavor. Interestingly, there is also a slightly salty umami note. Through the retrohale, I experience a hot red pepper, almost horseradish-like within the sinuses.

As the smoking experience continues, we see a lessening of the spicy red pepper taste, while the initially more subtle musty and salty umami flavors increase, beginning to dominate the overall profile. Generally, I’ve come to expect some sweetness accompanying the Broadleaf wrapper. However, it is interesting that the sweet flavor does not come through in this blend. Rounding out the final portion of the cigar, I begin to pick up some vegetable-like flavors. The retrohale remains as a red pepper flavor, but changes from a medium-level spice to more mild as the smoke progresses to the last part of the cigar.

While smoking the CAO FASA Noche Toro, the burn was slow and even. It’s a firm-feeling cigar with a solid, dark gray ash, which stays on for 2.5cm. The draw follows suit, giving some resistance, which I felt was a positive. It led to a cooler burn, which translated to a good feel for the assortment of flavors at hand. The cigar had a thick smoke output in the first third, which lessened as the smoke progressed, landing at a very light smoke in the second half.

Would I Smoke This Cigar Again?

The CAO FASA Noche project offers an affordable experience for the consumer, in which they can experience the darker, rich flavors of the Broadleaf wrapper. One can then contrast this with the partner cigar—Sol—and see how the wrapper can very much affect the flavors and smoking experience of a cigar with similar filler and binder. The construction of this cigar is excellent. The firm composition leads to a pleasing, slow burn, which gives the hobbyist time to experience the flavors that come through from the blend. The strong red pepper and musty flavors paired with the salty umami notes offer a unique combination. It’s interesting, however, that more sweetness (or, perhaps, molasses) is not picked up, as I’d expect from the blend. This could possibly mean that the binder and filler are really driving the flavor profile of the cigar, which could contrast with the idea behind this project. I would definitely be interested in smoking the Sol to truly take part in this experiment and see for myself if similar flavors are encountered. That’s really the only way to confirm how wrapper choice affects flavor in cigars with the same binder and filler. Perhaps they would consider selling mixed boxes of Noche and Sol, increasing the intrigue as to what smokers can expect with varying wrappers. Overall, Noche gives a pleasing combination of flavors at an affordable price, both of which are attractive to everyday cigar consumers. I’d certainly be interested in revisiting this cigar alongside the Sol to truly see the differences between the two recipes in this line.

• Currently, the CAO FASA Noche has a “100% Smokable” rating on Dojoverse, placing in the top 28 percent of cigars on the all-time leaderboard.
• Meanwhile, the CAO FASA Sol has the same score, ranking in the top 31 percent.

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