The CAO Flathead V19 is the latest in the Flathead brand. It is a limited production of 2,350 boxes.
I’m reviewing the “Camshaft” vitola which is a 5 1/2 x 50 box press. The cigar’s blend is comprised of a CT Bradleaf wrapper, a CT Habano binder and a mix of Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers.
I liked the band of the V19. It was black with gold outlines. The name Flathead, wings and a piston were in blacked out relief.
The wrapper is a milk chocolate brown with faint veins and slightly visible seams. It smelled of sweet tobacco. The triple cap was smoothly applied. The finished foot also had an aroma of sweet tobacco.
I gave the cap a straight cut and found the draw to be very easy with a dry tobacco / hay flavor.
Overall combustion was very good. The burn was even with a very thin carbon ring. The ash was white with black striations. The smoke volume was excellent.
During the first third, the retrohale was mild. A slight bitterness coated my tongue and there was a short finish.
In the middle, the retrohale was medium strength. I picked up on sweet and savory flavors on my lips and a sharp tingling sensation on my tongue.
At the end, the retrohale was medium strength with a sharp sensation. The finish was longer and the primary flavor was a smooth tobacco.
Overall, I consider the CAO Flathead V19 to be a medium strength, medium bodied cigar. Smoking it was a good experience. I give this cigar an 88.