Bella Vanilla by CAO

Picked up a Bella Vanilla up from my local shop the other day. Normally not a fan of flavored cigars but since it was a CAO i figured I'd give it a try. (I'm a fan of most of the CAO line). I was also in need of a short smoke, being a petit corona it fit my needs. First half of the cigar was very good. Was pretty mild, but still had a nice taste, not just like sucking in air. Not a very strong vanilla flavoring to it, once in a while a hint would appear. Once i got to the second half is where it starte to go bad. The initial taste was still the same, however the after taste it left after each puff was something I can only describe as tasteing like "firecracker"smoke. Every one knows that smell left after lighting off a pack of firecrackers, and walking through the smoke and getting a nice taste of it. Well thats what i was tasteing. Overall decent smoke, took about 20 minutes I would say to complete it. Going to give it a shot again, if same aftertaste is left than im giving up. Maybe ill try going to my other local shop. Anyone else every try it? Like it, hate it?

I smoke the little Cao Vanilla's once in a while. I keep a tin handy if I know I'll be somewhere I can't have a REAL cigar without bothering other people. Cao makes the only flavored cigars I've had more than one of so far. People seem to like the way they smell too. I don't know about those larger sizes. Met some of the CAO Flavorettes at an event a while back. Each flavour was represented by a girl dressed (barely) to match that blend, and you could go around and sample each flavour and have a small shot of a paired liquor.

I have a CAO moontrance once in awhile.....I love the aroma of it and the flavor is enjoyable also.

I agree on the Moontrance- it's not overpowering and it's pleasant to smoke.

I also like the moontrance, but normally smoke the flavored cigars anymore.

I picked up a Bella Vanilla the other day b/c they were rather cheap...never had a flavored cigar of CAO quality so I thought it was worth a try....

Unlike you, the vanilla taste wasn't just a hint, but a major overtone...I had the same 'firecracker' taste as you in the end too, though I didn't mind it much. I have to try these again and try to find CAO's other lines of flavored cigars...

The CAO flavored cigars and the Java from Drew Estates are the only two flavored cigars that I smoke, and I smoke them ocassionally, not often. I really like the Moontrance, and the Java, a few times per year.

every once in a while my wife will want a smoke, and the bella is what she likes.

Trying a Moontrace now...it leaves a nice, sweet flavor on my lips, but the actual taste is a bit harsh for something starting off so sweet...

Then again, I just had a Sancho Panza so maybe I didn't get the aftertaste from that out of my mouth before lighting up the Moontrace...guess I gotta buy another one and test it out again...