My Weekend Cigar: CAO Flathead Resonator
VIDEO CIGAR REVIEW: CAO FLATHEAD RESONATOR
Rumbling with a 3-Nation Blend, Flathead Resonator Never Gets Exhausted
Released in January of 2024, the CAO Flathead Resonator is the latest addition to the CAO Flathead cigars family. As the largest, full-production Flathead vitola to date, you could say that CAO went to “great lengths” to attract the attention of Flathead fanatics. And at 8 inches by 60 ring gauge, the Resonator is aptly named for a part of a car’s exhaust system.
Handmade at STG’s Estelí, Nicaragua factory, the Resonator blend is the same 3-nation blend that’s made CAO’s Flathead franchise a bestselling success. (See Cigar Details below.)
CAO Flathead Resonator cigars are presented in 24-count boxes that are designed with a removeable, plasma-cut metal lid that doubles as suitable-for-hanging Garage Art.
Cigar Details
Factory: STG Estelí – Estelí Nicaragua
Size: 8x60, Box-pressed
Body & Strength: Medium
Wrapper: U.S. Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: U.S. Connecticut Habano
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano Ligero, Nicaraguan Ligero
Presented in boxes of 24
CAO Flathead Cigar Review
Appearing almost threateningly long, the CAO Flathead Resonator is draped in a dark, even-colored Broadleaf wrapper that shimmers with a tanned leather-like oiliness. The box-pressing is done well and the cap bears the signature, flat-headed application. The wrapper offered a somewhat chocolatey aroma, while a more herbal note was apparent at the base.
Once lit, my sample was rich and fairly earthy with a cinnamon-like finish. The cigar settled-in quickly offering a dense mouthfeel and almost equal layers of sweet spice and leather.
During the entire first half of the cigar—which took almost an hour—the smoke was very smooth with medium body and strength. The flavors were well-balanced with cinnamon spice and leather notes, plus an underlying layer of sweet tobacco. That’s when it struck me: If there was ever a golf cigar, this is it.
With about five inches remaining, the strength increased slightly followed by a succulent molasses flavor and occasional flashes of roasted nuts and cocoa. Also impressive was how neat the burn had remained so far. It revealed some pretty firm ashes, too—another advantage if you’re smoking outside on a windy day.
Even in the last few inches, the flavors, balance, and strength held on when many cigars of this length would have been juicy and bitter.
At just past two hours, with one-and-a-half inches remaining, I finally let it go. Honestly, I'd had enough by then, but I walked away thinking that the Flathead Resonator had been pretty impressive.
Was CAO Flathead Resonator Weekend Worthy?
That depends on how much weekend you’ve got. I felt the CAO Flathead Resonator was a solid smoke, but you really have to like smoking cigars of this size. For starters, the Flathead Resonator reminded me mostly of the Flathead V554 Camshaft, which I usually smoke, just a whole lot longer. I also found it “chewy” for its dense mouthfeel and sweet-spicy profile. However, even with all that Ligero, the cigar was never overpowering.
As noted, I see the Resonator as an excellent golf cigar, not to mention fishing, grilling, or tailgating; any situation where you’ve got plenty of time to smoke it. What I liked most about it was it's one of those cigars you don't have to think about. Once it sets its course it’s on autopilot for the next 2 hours. So, I just kicked back and let it smoke. However, due to its length and abundance of Vitamin N, I can’t recommend it to newcomers. [sad trombone music]
Finally, when you consider the CAO Flathead Resonator’s extra-large dimensions, the MSRP per-cigar is pretty reasonable, too.
Please note: that this review was based on Gary’s experience and your mileage may vary.