CAO Cigars Zócalo

CAO Zocala (2021)

Leaf Enthusiast · Apr 28, 2021

When the CAO Zocala showed up as a limited edition in 2018, I thought it might come back some day…and they brought it back with new sizes, too!

Robusto · 5.00″ × 52

CAO Zocalo (6 x 60)

Tiny Tim's Cigar Blog · May 19, 2018

6.00″ × 60

CAO Zócalo Robusto

Blind Man's Puff · Sep 24, 2021 · March 2021

Back in February of 2021, CAO that their limited edition Zócalo would be returning as a regular production cigar and in some new sizes. The name comes from a celebratory city square in Mexico. CAO Zócalo first came out in 2018 as a limited edition blend and only in a 6 x 60. The new regular production edition of Zócalo comes in three sizes: Robusto (5” x 52) MSRP $7.99, Toro (6” x 50) MSRP $8.49, and Gigante (6” x 60) MSRP $8.99. Today we will be reviewing the CAO Zócalo Robusto. This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience. CAO Zócalo was the first CAO to use a Mexican wrapper. We did a blind review of the original limited edition blend in 2018 and gave it an 89. CAO Zócalo uses a rare Morron wrapper leaf grown in the Mexican San Andrés Valley, Cameroon binder, and Nicaraguan filler. Zócalo comes in boxes of 20 with the vibrant colors of the Mexican flag. CAO Zócalo is rolled at STG Esteli.

Robusto · 5.00″ × 52 · Medium-Strong · Nicaragua

CAO Zócalo

Halfwheel · May 14, 2018 · April 2018

Let's get this right out of the way: this is not Amazon Basin. That being said, it's another very good cigar from CAO. The CAO Zócalo has a ton of raw power and, at times, an array of pepper that will be far too much for many. But at its best, there's layering and complexity. This might not be a bastion of balance, but it's a cigar I look forward to smoking again and soon.

Gordo · 6.00″ × 60 · Nicaragua

CAO Zócalo

Cigar Coop · Apr 16, 2019

Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments where we use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or giving a score for the first time. It might be a blend we […] Key flavors: Earth, Pepper, Chocolate, Blackberry.

Gordo · 6.00″ × 60 · Mild to Medium (1st Third), Medium (2nd Third), Medium to Full (Final Third) · Nicaragua

CAO Zócalo San Andrés

Cigar Aficionado · Dec 1, 2018

Draped in a dark, toothy wrapper, this fat cigar has an open draw and even burn. Notes of hickory and spicy wood meld pleasantly with touches of herbs and spice.

Grande · 6.00″ × 60 · Medium-Full · Nicaragua

CAO Zócalo

Cigar Dojo · Jun 27, 2018

For the most part, I enjoyed this cigar. The only real negatives were construction related (sloppy, bent, bunched tightly), and there were plenty of positives to take away (flavors, price). Then there’s a couple things that, honestly, I can’t decide if they’re good or bad. Strength, for one. I smoke two, maybe three cigars a day typically, and I rarely ever come across a cigar that hits me with such intensity. In this case, I knew when it was time to take a break, and when it was time to be done. And while this cigar handed me my own ass, it did so in a way akin to a very intense workout session, where you definitely feel exhausted, but also good, but just on the very verge of bad… puking bad. The cigar's size is another key element that will be polarizing for most smokers. Unfortunately, it seems we’ll never have a reference to see what this could be in another vitola, which is kind of a bummer.

Gordo · 6.00″ × 60 · Full · Nicaragua

CAO Zócalo

Kohnhed · May 31, 2021

Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Morron Binder: Cameroon Filler: Nicaragua Size: 5 x 52 Robusto Strength: Medium/Full Price: $8.00 (Around $6.00 online) I rarely review CAO blends. I remember liking the…

Robusto · 5.00″ × 52 · Medium/Full

CAO Zócalo

CigarCzars · Mar 21, 2021

CAO Zócalo cigars became a full time line in March 2021. They were originally introduced as a limited edition blend in 2018, and were available in only one size. Now, three sizes are available, including a Robusto (5 x 52) priced at $7.99, which is the subject of this review. The cigars are made in Nicaragua with a Mexican San Andreas Morron wrapper, Cameroon binder, and a blend of Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. For more info, please check out thepress release. The sample CAO Zocalo Robusto began with a generous dose of pepper along with a modest amount sweetness. During the first few minutes, the sweet peppery flavor gradually declined but still remained very noticeable, as an earthy flavor began to emerge. The cigar started off and stayed in the medium-to-full bodied range for most of its duration. At about the 20-minute mark, notes of leather joined the mix, accompanying the earth and sweet peppery flavors which were just a bit tamer at this point. The flavors did not significantly change beyond this spot, but the cigar did become a bit stronger during the last 15 minutes of the smoking session. The CAO Zocalo Robust was well made, having a good draw, mostly even burn, and it held a long ash. One relight was required at the 35-minute mark when the cigar went out, but no touch-ups were needed since puffing and rotating were enough to keep the burn line mostly even. It took me 50 minutes to smoke the cigar down to two inches remaining. I enjoyed the CAO Zocalo Robusto just enough to rate it with a very good 4 points on a 5-point scale. I think that the Robusto vitola is a good size for this particular blend, as one of the larger sizes could be just too much (especially the Gigante 6 x 60). Although this was not an overly strong cigar, it was still potent enough to be satisfying without overdoing it. CAO Zocalo cigars should be enjoyed by more seasoned cigar smokers, as beginners should steer clear (at least for the time being).

Especially The Gigante · 6.00″ × 60

CAO Zocalo Robusto

Developing Palates · Jul 29, 2022 · March 2021

Quite a linear profile of musty cedar and dry earth with the profile becoming quite dry by the midpoint. No complexities or transitions to really speak of. The snug draw was a bit of a downer, but didn't have any ill effects on the performance. The price point is quite attractive, but there's nothing here that would make me want to come back to the CAO Zocalo Robusto.

Robusto · 5.00″ × 52 · Nicaragua