CAO Flathead V660 Engine Gordo Review

Overview

Since its introduction in 2012, the CAO Flathead series has carved a distinctive niche in the premium cigar landscape by marrying the visceral aesthetics of American hot-rod culture with the disciplined craft of Honduran cigar making. The V660 Engine, presented in a commanding 6 x 60 Gordo vitola, serves as the flagship of the line — a robust everyday smoke that embodies the series' blue-collar ethos without sacrificing refinement. Named for the V8 powerplants that define the hot-rod world, this cigar is hand-rolled at the HATSA factory in Danlí, Honduras, a facility renowned for its consistency and value-driven production. It represents a deliberate departure from the aggressive Nicaraguan powerhouse profiles that dominate the market; instead, CAO’s General Cigar blending team has built the V660 around a Honduran Sun Grown wrapper in a Colorado shade — a medium-dark, lightly toothy leaf with a subtle sheen — paired with a Honduran binder and a filler blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers. The result is a cigar that is smooth, accessible, and layered with an honest complexity that rewards attention without demanding a connoisseur’s palate. The Flathead series has always been about authenticity, and the V660 delivers that in spades.

From the first light, the V660 reveals its character with a creamy body that belies its generous ring gauge. The cold draw offers cedar shavings, toasted almond, and a whisper of dry cocoa — a prelude to the roasted coffee, leather, and subtle earthiness that define the opening third. A gentle white pepper spice on the retrohale signals that this is a blend with depth, but it never overwhelms. As the cigar progresses into the second third, the profile deepens: dark chocolate, seasoned oak, and a pronounced caramel sweetness emerge, with the creaminess remaining a constant anchor. Roasted nuts and a light molasses note build beneath the surface, while the spice from the retrohale mellows into a supporting role. The final third marks the only significant shift in intensity, as the strength ratchets up toward medium-full. Espresso and charred wood take center stage, joined by lingering leather and a dark pepper finish. The initial sweetness fades, yielding to a pleasant earthiness and dry cocoa that carry through to the nub — a nub that remains firm and cool, a testament to the gordo format’s inherent burn efficiency.

In terms of construction, the V660 is a workhorse that rarely falters. The draw is open and effortless — almost too easy given the 60 ring gauge — and the burn line is generally even, requiring only minor touchups. The ash holds in firm, tight columns of pale gray that drop cleanly at about an inch. This is a cigar built for long, unhurried sessions; expect a 90- to 110-minute smoke depending on your pace. It is best enjoyed on a relaxed weekend afternoon or as a post-dinner companion when time is plentiful. The V660 does not inspire rushing, and those who try will miss the nuanced transitions that define its arc. CAO has positioned this cigar at a price point — roughly $10 to $14 per stick — that places it firmly in the everyday tier, yet it delivers a level of refinement that rivals many offerings at twice the cost. It is a reminder that value and quality are not mutually exclusive, and that a cigar does not need to be complex to be genuinely satisfying.

Standing in the premium cigar world, the CAO Flathead V660 Engine has earned its reputation as one of the best everyday gordo-format smokes on the market. It does not pretend to be a Nicaraguan powerhouse, and that honesty is its greatest strength. CAO’s Honduran-forward blending yields a profile that is smooth, accessible, and genuinely flavorful without being dumbed down. For the aficionado who seeks a dependable, medium-full smoke that delivers consistent pleasure from first light to final nub, the V660 is an essential addition to any humidor. It is the workhorse gordo for those who understand that a satisfying 60-ring experience need not carry a $20 price tag.