CAO Flathead V660 Big Block Review

Overview

The CAO Flathead V660 Big Block is not a cigar that whispers. It arrives with the visual weight of a machined steel piston—a 6x60 colossus wrapped in a toothy, Colorado-hued Honduran Corojo that glows like embers under low light. This is the flagship of the Flathead line, a series that pays homage to V8 engine culture, and it smokes with the unapologetic authority of a muscle car rumbling to life. From the first cold draw, there's a promise of density: the air pulls through with the resistance of a well-tuned carburetor, carrying scents of damp earth, cocoa powder, and a faint, sweet cedar. Light it, and the narrative begins not with a prologue but with a declaration—toasted almonds and dry cocoa powder surge forward, grounded by a distinctly Honduran earthiness that feels like freshly turned soil after rain. The retrohale introduces a structural cedar spine and a mild black pepper that snaps like a whip but never stings. The smoke is thick, almost chewy, a creamy cloud that fills the palate and lingers like a bass note.

As the first third burns into the second, the blend reveals its cunning architecture. The initial earthiness softens, making way for a caramel sweetness that coats the tongue like warm syrup, while roasted coffee emerges as a dark, bitter counterpoint. The pepper retreats into a background warmth, no longer a sharp edge but a steady pulse. Mid-stick, leather notes arrive—not the harsh, raw hide of youth but the supple, worn leather of a well-loved jacket—and interweave with a hay-like herbal quality that adds an unexpected, welcome brightness. This is where Rick Rodriguez's blending acumen shines: the V660 could easily become a one-dimensional strength bomb, but instead, it layers flavors like a well-rehearsed band, each note finding its place in the mix. The strength builds steadily, creeping from medium to medium-full, a physical presence that settles in the chest without overwhelming.

The final third is a crescendo of richness. Dark chocolate and espresso dominate, their bitterness sharpened by a woody dryness that recalls oak barrel staves. The pepper returns, not as a guest but as a host, coating the palate and retrohale with a spicy, almost aggressive finish. The cigar ends with considerable strength, leaving a long aftertaste of roasted nuts and earth that begs for a moment of silence. The construction holds up admirably—the draw is open and effortless, producing voluminous smoke from the first puff to the last, though the burn line occasionally wanders and demands a touch-up, a minor quibble given the ring gauge. The ash holds in firm, inch-plus columns, a testament to STG's production standards. This is a 90-minute journey, not a quick commute; it demands patience and rewards it with a narrative arc that feels both deliberate and satisfying. The Flathead series may be marketed as a blue-collar tribute, but the V660 Big Block is a premium experience that transcends its gimmick—a bold, earthy, unapologetically robust cigar that earns its place in any serious humidor.