CAO Flathead 770 It's been a few weeks since I reviewed a cigar, so I thought it would be a great time to talk about one of the more eye-catching cigars in our humidors these days. Today, big ring gauges are all the rage and the CAO Flathead 770 certainly doesn't disappoint in this category.

I'm not sure what drives the demand for the big cigars here in the U.S. Is it the value of having a longer smoke? Is it for the cooler smoking experience? Or is it our American quest for the biggest and strongest?

Whatever the reason these cigars sell, they don't show any signs of slowing down. This week’s subject, the CAO Flathead 770, is not only a massive 7x70 stick, but it also has the distinction of being the only box-pressed version of this cigar. If there is someone else making a square stick this big, I haven't met them yet.

So how does this cigar smoke? Let me say that it is a very good cigar. Rick Rodriguez, CAO brand ambassador and master blender, did an excellent job with this years' new release. Many cigar makers will take a smaller cigar and turn it into a 6x60 or bigger by just adding more filler. This cigar, although available in smaller sizes, was blended to be this big. It is well-constructed, burns evenly, and has a great flavor profile. When I met with Rick at the IPCPR show last summer and he handed me this monster cigar, I knew we would want it in the humidor just because of the size. It's hard to turn away from the largest box-pressed cigar on the market. But Rick urged me to smoke it. "You have to smoke this cigar. It is really a good smoke." He went so far as to take one out of the wrapper and hand it to me. He did everything but cut it and clip it. Knowing that it was packed full of Nicaraguan filler and I still had work to do that day, I promised him I would light it up later.

Well, Rick was telling the truth. It was as strong as I expected and the cigar was good from foot to band. I have smoked several of these since then and for all you golfers out there, it should get you through the front nine.

The wrapper on this cigar is a sturdy Connecticut Broadleaf and the rich chocolate color will definitely grab your attention. There is an even sweetness in this cigar, especially in the early stages, with some nice cocoa flavors. The binder on the cigar is Ecuadorian Habano, which gives this cigar some lovely spice notes—but they never really overpower the sweetness. There are some nice coffee notes that factor in the flavor profile as well, but the balance of the cigar is outstanding for such a large stick. I do think that the Nicaraguan filler gives this cigar its power, but not enough to make it a full-bodied smoke. I would classify this as medium to full, which will provide plenty of cool smoke and hours of relaxation and enjoyment.

I have recommended this cigar to many people over the last month and they were all very thankful for the recommendation. I even had one tell me that this is his new, go-to cigar. I'm not sure if a 2+ hour cigar would be my everyday cigar, but it is certainly worthy of making its way into the weekend rotation.

I know that bigger isn't always better, but in the case of the CAO Flathead 770—it's pretty darn good. So make sure you grab a few of these for your next round of golf. A handful of these should keep your foursome busy for the whole round.

Long Ashes,

Chris Gwaltney, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits North Florida Regional Manager. Certified Tobacconist and Cicerone Beer Server. Follow me on Twitter @abccigarchris.