CAO Flathead V642 Steel Horse Review

Overview

The CAO Flathead V642 Steel Horse is a cigar that wears its American working-class spirit on its sleeve, yet delivers a smoking experience that is far more refined than its blue-collar branding might suggest. Launched in 2012 as part of the wider Flathead series—themed entirely around the iconography of American motorcycle culture—this vitola takes its name from the engine components that define a machine’s character. The V642, named for the classic V-twin engine configuration and a nod to the “Steel Horse” moniker for a motorcycle, is the slimmer ring gauge offering in a line known for its hefty, bold presentations. It is hand-rolled at the STG factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, and represents CAO’s most unfiltered celebration of Americana through a Nicaraguan lens. From the first light, the V642 Steel Horse announces itself as a cigar of purpose. The wrapper is a Nicaraguan Sun Grown leaf in a Colorado shade—medium brown with a natural sheen and a slight tooth that hints at the complexity within. Underneath lies a Nicaraguan binder and a filler blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers, all of which are aged prior to blending. The result is a medium-full smoke (rated 4/5 in strength) that manages to balance power with a surprising degree of nuance. The flavor journey is clearly articulated: it opens with a distinct burst of cedar, roasted nuts, and dry cocoa, with a mild black pepper note on the retrohale that immediately establishes its Nicaraguan roots. The draw is generous and the smoke production substantial from the start. As the cigar moves into the second third, the profile deepens into leather and espresso, with a persistent earthiness and a subtle sweetness reminiscent of dried fruit or dark caramel that emerges alongside the wood and spice. The body fills out noticeably here, demonstrating the blend’s ability to evolve without losing focus. The final third intensifies with bold dark chocolate, charred oak, and lingering pepper on the finish. The strength climbs into medium-full territory without becoming harsh, and the final third closes with a long, dry, earthy finish tinged with molasses. One of the most compelling aspects of the V642 Steel Horse is its interaction with construction. The narrower ring gauge—compared to the larger vitolas in the Flathead line—actually concentrates the blend, allowing the spice to integrate more cleanly and the complexity to read tighter. It is a cigar that proves that a smaller ring gauge can sometimes yield a more focused, articulate experience than a massive one. Aficionados often consider this vitola a sleeper hit within the series: it is unapologetically fun and consistently underrated, a workhorse that delivers the substance of a premium smoke at an everyday price point. In the premium cigar world, the Flathead line occupies a unique niche—it is CAO at its most American, designed for the smoker who values substance over ceremony, and the V642 Steel Horse is perhaps the most balanced expression of that ethos. It is a cigar that rewards attention without demanding it, making it an ideal companion for a relaxed afternoon or early evening session. Its 6 x 42 Gordo size offers a smoking time of 60 to 75 minutes, perfectly suited for a casual weekend smoke rather than an overly formal occasion. The flathead engine may be a relic of the past, but this cigar proves that the spirit of craftsmanship and honest flavor never goes out of style.