This Geek Critique has been generously sponsored by MacMac (Joe)
The cigar: CAO Flathead V660 Carb. (6.0 x 60)
The filler is Nicaragua, the binder is Connecticut Ecuador, and the wrapper is a Maduro Connecticut Broadleaf. The shape is Toro Gordo and the strength is Medium-Full.
The cigar for the October Member Sponsored review is the Cigar Aficionado's #3 cigar of the year for 2015—the CAO Flathead V660 Carb. The V660 is 6" in length and has a ring size of 60. The cigar is made in Nicaragua.
The Hype - Cigar Aficionado: It's big. It's blocky. And it has the flattest head we've ever seen on a premium cigar. It's also loaded with surprisingly rich, complex tobacco.
The CAO Flathead V660 Carb is one of the bulkiest cigars in the CAO Flathead line, which is made by General Cigar Co. in Nicaragua. General inherited the entire portfolio of CAO's preexisting brands after Swedish Match and ST Cigar Group Holdings merged in 2010. Flathead, however was created under General Cigar by Rick Rodriguez and Ed McKenna. The idea was for the cigars to resemble the engine blocks found in America's classic hot rods, and this is reflected in the packaging as well. Each box looks like an engine and even comes with a vintage-style print of a pinup girl. There is undoubtedly a jovial aspect to the theme, but it would be a mistake to dismiss the Flathead as a novelty.
The cigar is a gutsy blend that starts with a dark Connecticut broadleaf wrapper, a Cuban-seed binder also grown in Connecticut and a combination of Nicaraguan ligero and Dominican Piloto Cubano tobacco. If Rodriguez and McKenna intended the blend to reflect hot rods and muscle cars along with the packaging, we'd say they delivered.
The name Carb 660 is named after the carburetor of a combustion engine and 660 indicates the length and ring gauge. From the first light, this seriously squared-off cigar takes off with notes of ripe fruit, leather and molasses that only gain intensity as it smokes.
The Reviewers to be chosen by Joe (with input from Pete).
Criteria: Veteran status, plus. We will try to have a mix of newer members and experienced members. Also must not have done a review within the last two months or are scheduled to do one in the future.
Shipping Restrictions: Will take two out of country reviewers.
1. appollo (Stephen)
2. freakydeakydutchman (Steve)
3. timpellis (Tim)
4. 05Venturer (Kent)
5. Cigary (Gary)
Due date: September 24, 2016
Note: A reviewer who posts their review late will receive neutral feedback. A reviewer who does not post at all will receive negative feedback. There are always exceptions to the rule and a reasonable excuse for tardiness or a no show will be respected and thus not counted against the reviewer. Our sponsoring members and our administrators make the choice of who is to participate in any particular Geek Critique and can be better informed of their choices with this new initiative in place.
Thanks again to Joe for taking this one on and providing the cigar. THANKS!! And happy smokin' :cigarman:
I'll throw my name in if shipping to the GWN is no problem :-)
same here if the GWN isn't an issue
Still waiting to hear about shipping requirements. :)
Stephen and Steve you are in. :biggrin:
Thanks for having me Peter. I always wanted to try one of these.
I can give it a go if you still need people.
Quotefreakydeakydutchman - 5/13/2016 4:41 PM
Thanks for having me Peter. I always wanted to try one of these.
No need to thank me at all...thank MacMac :biggrin:
Quotetimpellis - 5/13/2016 4:45 PM
I can give it a go if you still need people.
You're in Tim
Great we are filling the review quickly!
Thanks Joe for having me.Looking foreword to trying this stick :-)
Quoteappollo - 5/13/2016 6:58 PM
Thanks Joe for having me.Looking foreword to trying this stick :-)
Great to have you Stephen.
I'll fill up a spot if needed
Pete, let's added Kent and Gary. We'll have a full slate!
I'm excited as a pup with two tails.
We are officially full now! :rocker: I am excited about our Flathead reviewers! :dancing:
I'll let you guys know when I ship. We are pretty early getting October's review put together so I'll wait a little while before shipping.
Joe
Is this still a "go" or did it go away?
Shipping soon!
Hi Geeks!
The CAO Flathead V660 Carb has shipped for the October critique!
Tracking information:
Appollo (Stephen): Custom #: LC434238475US
Freekydeakydutchman (Steve) Custom #: LC434238489US
Timpellis (Tim) USPS: 9500113243126216004613
05Venturer (Ken) USPS: 9500113243126216004637
Cigary (Gary) USPS: 9500113243126216004620
I hope all the cigars arrive safely and quickly!
Joe
Thanks Joe!!!
I had truthfully forgot I got picked for this one.
Looking forward to it brother :biggrin:
Sounds great! should have thrown my hat into the ring sooner! Oh well, there is always next month!
Quote05Venturer - 8/3/2016 3:19 PM
Thanks Joe!!!
I had truthfully forgot I got picked for this one.
Looking forward to it brother :biggrin:
Yea, we got started early on this one.
Joe
Look foreword to getting the stick Joe. :-)
I've got two I'm holding until you Geeks submit the critiques, then I'm going to smoke one!
:bigthumbs: :bigthumbs: Top Notch hosting and sponsorship. Thanks Joe
Thanks Pete! Thanks for your HELP!
Looks like Tim's should arrive on Fri the 5th. Gary's and Ken's on Sat Aug 6th. For our Canadians, Stephen and Steve, no data on tracking yet.
Got mine yesterday with two hitchhikers, thanks Joe! Looking forward to reviewing, plenty of time to rest in the box before I give it a go. Thanks again.
Mine made it safe and sound to Sconnie thanks to the bodyguards Joe sent along for protection
Thanks Brother
Received mine today...great bodyguards to protect that Flathead. Thanks for letting me be a part of this review as it always makes me grateful to be a part of this Forum. So many who do such positive things here.
I'm glad they are arriving quickly. Looks like we have two still traveling!
Looks like we have two stuck at the Canadian border. I hope they get through soon!
Got the sticks today Joe.Thanks for the extras. :-)
Glad they arrived Stephen!
Steve's must still be traveling to BC. The customs code is worthless for tracking ??
QuoteMacMac - 8/14/2016 9:59 AM
Steve's must still be traveling to BC. The customs code is worthless for tracking ??
Yeah usually you can only tell when it passes customs and then when it's delivered, I don't think they update in between.
Well.they should be here sometime this week. Remember overnight delivery take 3 days this far north
I have tracked it to Edmonton and it should be here in 2 or 3 days
That's good to here!
tracking says its in town. proberly delivered tomorrow. i will let you know
hey joe..I just got a nice package placed on my desk here.. thanks.. always wanted to try all of these.. will post picts later
Steve, I'm so happy they finally got to you! You'll have a little time in the humidor before having to smoke the Flathead.
GREAT, everyone has their Flathead now! You have until Sept 24 to smoke 'em and get the critique in.
Happy smoking All!
Just to keep this thread going .....I'm looking forward to smoking mine this weekend after letting it marinate in my humidor for a few weeks now. I always look forward as to what other reviewers find as well and this should be one of those reviews from others I cant wait to read.
Hi Everyone! Remember, your reviews are DUE by Sept 24! Get smoking soon!
Got mine in the other day. let me know if there are any problems. Thanks again!
Great Tim! I'm looking forward to reading the reviews!
Hey Guys! The due date is near! I know a couple of you have either submitted or will soon. Everyone remember the due date is the 24!
Got mine smoked today.Will get the review done tomorrow.
Mine is in
Mines now done .Thanks Joe for including me in this review. :-)
This is going GREAT! Looks like the reviews are almost complete.
Mines In. and thanks again Joe
FYI
It is common practice to wait until the Critique is posted on the site before copying and pasting your critique to a review.
:nono:
Unfortunately I don't see a direct link for this GC and asked about it...so the other way to get it into the system was to it this way.
Contact SenorPablo for help!
Junglepete can you help!
Gary try this link http://www.cigargeeks.com/index.php?topic=29819.0
If you click forums on the left, then scroll down to geek critiques on the bottom there is a frozen link on the top on which will get you in as well. Hope this helps.
I think I got everyone access. PM me if you still do not.
-Paul
My thanks to all of the reviewers!