CAO Bones Chicken Foot

CAO has always had fun with its branding, and Bones is no exception — every vitola is named after a classic dominoes term. The Chicken Foot is the robusto, a 5 x 54 wearing a dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over a Connecticut Shade binder, with filler pulled from Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

What it tastes like

It's a rich, satisfying maduro: dark chocolate and coffee up front, earth and wood through the middle, and a peppery snap that keeps it from getting sleepy. The blend lands medium to full-bodied, with enough depth to keep you interested from light to nub without turning harsh.

This is a great choice if you want a bold maduro that doesn't break the bank, though the strength means I'd point newer smokers elsewhere first. The maduro vs Connecticut comparison is a good read on why that Broadleaf wrapper smokes so dark, and the cigar strength guide helps you place it.

Bones is one of CAO's most approachable everyday maduros, and the Chicken Foot is the size most people start with. Log it and rate it in the Casa DNC app, then try the longer Blind Hughie toro when you've got more time.