Noob Review: CAO Black VR Full Fathom Five

CAO Black VR Full Fathom Five, 5.5x55, HON. Aged 3 months.
Smoked December 9, 2012
Smoke time 1:40

Pre-Light:   Box press, dark chocolate brown, no soft spots, very heavy and firm. Very toothy, the splattered foot band is kind of cool looking. VERY strong earthy/dirt aroma.

Cold Draw:   Sweet tobacco, not much else I could pick out.

 First 3rd:   Draw was good. Slight pepper and wood flavors, ash held over an inch. Some bitter chocolate flavors in and out, no sweetness to anything yet. Definite pepper on the retrohale, and maybe another spice, just couldn't put my finger on it... Very slow burn so far.

Drinking water.

 Second 3rd:   Pepper smoothes out, there was a little initial bitterness, but it's faded, there's not as much "bite" to the flavor. It seems a little sweeter, but not a nutty sweetness (nutty flavors seem to be the easiest for me to pick out right now). The draw is getting a little tighter.

Last 3rd:   Now we've got a little of that nutty flavor I seem to like and identify quickest. Still a little pepper, and the nutty flavor is more of a bitter nut flavor, not sweet. I read reviews finding caramel, toffee, cocoa flavors... I'm not noticing any of these, mostly pepper, wood, and nuts.




Smoke was quite thick, with a very thick finish/coat on my tongue.
6.5/10
Not sure this will stay in my lineup, maybe try one again in a few months and see if they develop any as I do... Not impressed at the moment...