CAO
Amazon Basin
Extra Añejo
It was in 2017 that the crazy STG Amazon adventure began
with the CAD version Amazon Basin.
For those who remember, Belgium was ignored for a while of
this launch; then a few privileged or fast reacting ones were able to taste
some, as the Belgian management got some boxes from the American market.
Since we are in the distribution schedule, but due to the
limited number of boxes, they are only available in the 28 PartnerShip stores.
So we had the chance to discover the following versions: CAO
Amazon Fumo em Corda, the CAO Amazon Anaconda and the CAO Orellana.
Today it's the brand new range that I'm going to have the
pleasure to introduce to you.
At first, I do not see any changes, since part of the tripe
is still Bragança tobacco; tobacco that General Cigar Co. draws from the Amazon
rainforest, which is still harvested once every 3 years and comes out of the
Amazon by dugout. The fermentation of this tobacco is also always done in
carrots and for a period of 6 months.
So where is the novelty, if not why change the name of this
module? This innovation is reflected in the name of the cigar: Extra Añejo
STG's basic plans were to roll this cigar in 2021 and then
let it sit for two years in the Spanish cedar aging rooms before releasing them
in beautiful treasure chest style boxes like the original 2014 version.
In reality, while the Americans will have 104,400 cigars in
this beautiful box by mid-January, we have received in Europe, a quantity of
cigars that is unknown to me to this day, in beautiful more classic boxes, slide
style.
Our cigars have had a good year and a half of rest.
This box is black and midnight blue, with simply the name of
the cigars.
I have a fairly dark and simple wrapper with nice veins
running through it, and the traditional band of the line is a tobacco rib; this
is wrapped around the top of the cigar since we are in a Basin.
Come on, it's time to take the pirogue and travel on the
Amazon River through Brazil and Colombia, and find the aromas that will reveal
my tasting of the day.
I practice a straight cut. I pause during one of my tests to
think about the King of Brazil and soccer, whose departure to the most
beautiful stadium on earth I have just learned: bon voyage Pelé!
Raw, I have sensations of sweetness and red fruits. The foot
sets on fire and it's off for what should be ± 90 min of pleasure...
As soon as I light up, I find the same amount of smoke that
struck me when I tasted the Amazon Basin CAO; it is accompanied by freshly
tanned leather, ferns, and white pepper.
The friend who participates in this test tasting, notes a
moment a particular sensation indescribable but with the explanations that he gives
me, we arrive at the following conclusion: there was a kind of alchemy between
the tobacco and the Spanish cedar. It is not the usual cedar flavor: it is more
refined.
At that moment, without really realizing it, I was sucked
out of my dugout and found myself in the nurseries of the Monastery of Saint
Remacle in Wavreumont, when I was helping the monks prune trees during a
retreat, and the intense smell of pine caught my nostrils as the sap flowed
abundantly.
This is the first time I've had that firkin-in-a-cigar
feeling so intensely.
I leave again almost as fast as I arrived, to join this time
other countries; I drag in my wake a minty savour.
I sit in the center of a huge bouquet made of coffee, clay,
soft leather like cowhide, a little chocolate and brioche.
The ash is compact, and has a nice whitish color with gray
streaks, the draft is perfect and the combustion good.
A thin layer of salt lines my lips while the flowery side
takes center stage in my overactive imagination with this beautiful pleasure
experience.
Around this plume of smoke, the flavors of red fruits, cream
and hazelnuts gather like bees. All these sensations are interwoven with
harmony and balance. It is not the retro-olfaction that will tell me otherwise.
Before I tell you about the size, the cepo and the different
countries that contributed to this cigar, let me share with you something Ed
Lahmann, Senior Brand Manager of CAO, said: When we launched Amazon Basin, we
were the first in the world to use tobacco from the Amazon. Today, CAO Amazon
Basin still stands out as one of the most important blends we've ever
developed. Since we never rest on our laurels, we decided to take inspiration
from the world of whiskey and age finished Amazon Basin cigars. The result is a
refined, rounded smoke and an absolute pleasure to smoke.
The three tastings took place on Toro of 15.2 cm for a cepo
of 52
Wrapper : Sumatra (Ecuador)
Binder : Nicaragua
Filler: Colombia, Dominican Republic and Bragança (Brazil)
In conclusion: I have never been disappointed by this range
and once again I find that this limited edition is a success, I think that CAO has
favorably joined the closed circle of producers who let their cigars rest in
the best conditions; as if they were telling us "no need to make this
cigar vintage, we will take care of it for you". So I can only strongly advise
you to go to your STG PartnerShip to acquire this nugget.
Price at the time of writing: 15 euros