CAO · Brazilia
New WorldExperiencedCAO Brazilia Gol!
CAO Brazilia Gol! is a dark, full-flavored Brazilian maduro in a stubby 5 x 56 format, loaded with espresso, earth and pepper over Nicaraguan tobacco.
The short answer
The CAO Brazilia Gol! is a richer, medium-to-full smoke — a Honduras robusto gordo with a Brazilian Arapiraca Maduro wrapper. Expect espresso, earth, and black pepper. Critics rate it 90/100.
Flavor profile
Roast · Earthy · Spice · Sweet
Critic ratings
Cigar Aficionado
2003
90/100
Scores as published by each reviewer. Casa DNC aggregates third-party ratings; we don't score cigars ourselves.
The verdict
The CAO Brazilia Gol! is a richer, medium-to-full smoke from CAO's Brazilia line. It's a Honduras (New World) robusto gordo wrapped in Brazilian Arapiraca Maduro at 5 in × 56.
On the palate, expect espresso, earth, and black pepper, leaning roast. Plan on roughly 60 minutes from light to nub.
It's well regarded: Cigar Aficionado rated it 90/100 in 2003. It pairs naturally with espresso and aged rum. If you're newer to cigars, work up to this one rather than starting here.
The Brazilia is one of CAO's boldest everyday smokes, and the Gol! is its most popular shape — a short, fat 5 x 56 that puts a lot of dark, oily Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper in your hand. Underneath, it's all Nicaraguan binder and filler, which is where the punch comes from.
What it tastes like
Expect a rush of espresso and dark, damp earth right off the light, with a steady backbone of black pepper and a touch of natural sweetness on the finish. It's rich and a little rustic in the best way, never one-note. The wide ring gauge keeps it burning cool and slow even as the flavors build.
This sits firmly in medium-full territory, so it's not where I'd send a brand-new smoker — give it a little experience first and maybe a full stomach. If you love the dense, coffee-and-earth profile of a good maduro, this is a classic example. For more on why these dark wrappers smoke the way they do, the maduro vs Connecticut breakdown is a good primer, and if you want to understand where this lands on the power scale, see the cigar strength guide.
Brazilia has been a cult favorite for years, and the Gol! is the size most people fall for first. Smoke one, then log it and rate it in the Casa DNC app so you can track how it stacks up against the rest of the CAO line. If you like this, the box-pressed CAO MX2 is a natural next step into darker, chocolatey territory.
Curious how it stacks up? See Maduro vs Connecticut wrappers.
CAO Brazilia Gol! — frequently asked
- Is the CAO Brazilia Gol! a good cigar for beginners?
- Ease into it. The fuller body can be a lot for a first-timer, so it's better once you've built up a little tolerance.
- How strong is the CAO Brazilia Gol!?
- The CAO Brazilia Gol! is Medium-Full-bodied. Strength is about body and nicotine rather than flavor, so eat something first and take it slow if you're sensitive.
- What does the CAO Brazilia Gol! taste like?
- Expect espresso, earth, and black pepper, leaning roast. Tasting notes are a guide — your palate may pick up more or less.
- What is the CAO Brazilia Gol!'s rating?
- Published critic scores: Cigar Aficionado 90/100 (2003). Casa DNC aggregates third-party ratings and doesn't score cigars itself.
- What pairs well with the CAO Brazilia Gol!?
- It pairs well with espresso and aged rum. As a rule, match the drink's intensity to the cigar's medium-full body.
- How long does it take to smoke the CAO Brazilia Gol!?
- Plan on about 60 minutes for the robusto gordo — longer if you smoke slowly, which keeps it cool and tasting its best.
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CAO Brazilia Gol! head-to-head
See how CAO Brazilia Gol! stacks up against similar cigars — strength, flavor, and ratings.