Casa by Caldwell CdM Exclusive Toro 8/24/19

 Appearance
A dark brown colored wrapper with a couple of prominent veins and a bit of tooth. The seams are tightly wrapped. The wrapper has a nice oily sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma
Earth, dark chocolate and light floral on the wrapper. Lush red fruit, cedar and a hint of spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Earth, cedar, faint red fruit, black pepper spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of fruit and cedar. The draw is tight with very little smoke production(I’m sure this will change). What looked like a fairly even burn has become wavy. The ash is salt&pepper gray and fairly tight. About an inch and 3/4 in the black pepper spice begins to build. The draw begins to open up and smoke production increases. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd
The draw has opened up nicely and smoke production is at the medium range. The burn has fully self corrected. The black pepper spice has become more prominent. Some savory notes join the profile bringing the black pepper into balance. Dark chocolate and espresso notes join the profile. Strength and body are at medium.

Final/3rd
The fruit and chocolate notes have disappeared leaving earth, espresso, charred wood and mild black pepper spice.

Overall
The Casa by Caldwell CdM Exclusive provides a somewhat enjoyable smoking experience. An ok flavor profile with a tight draw and erratic burn in the 1st/3rd and good draw and perfect burn in the rest of the cigar.