When a Cigar Shows Up Wearing Work Boots

Originally published at brownslife.com/category/oasis/cigar-reviews/

Friday night at The Oasis rolled around again, and I found myself staring at this thick, imposing cigar sitting on my humidor like it was planning to arm-wrestle the evening into submission. The CAO Flathead 860 Resonator – a name that sounds less like a premium tobacco product and more like a motorcycle engine part or maybe some kind of audio equipment you'd find in a recording studio.

But here's the thing about cigars with intimidating names and equally intimidating appearances: sometimes they're all bark and no bite, like that one friend who talks tough but still asks his wife to kill spiders. Other times, they deliver exactly what they promise, no apologies, no excuses. Tonight's smoke was definitely the latter.

The Guest of Honor Arrives

Our regular Friday crew had assembled in The Oasis – my backyard refuge where grown men gather to solve the world's problems one puff at a time. The usual suspects were in their appointed chairs: the guy who insists on wearing cargo shorts year-round because "you never know when you'll need seventeen pockets," the former military man who still makes his bed tight enough to bounce quarters off, and the quiet accountant who somehow knows more dirty jokes than a comedy club regular.

Into this distinguished gathering, I introduced our guest of honor for the evening: the CAO Flathead 860 Resonator. At 6 inches by 60 ring gauge, this thing isn't just a cigar – it's a commitment. It's the kind of smoke that makes you clear your schedule and warn your family that daddy's going to be busy for the next two hours.

The Flathead series gets its name from the band design, which looks like the head of a flathead screw. Whether this was intentional marketing genius or someone at CAO had been staring at their toolbox too long during a creative meeting, I'll never know. But it works. This cigar looks like it could fix your deck and then stick around to enjoy a beer afterward.

First Impressions: Built Like a Tank

Pulling the CAO Flathead 860 Resonator from my humidor was like retrieving a piece of construction equipment. The wrapper is a gorgeous Connecticut Broadleaf maduro that's so dark it makes my morning coffee look pale. We're talking about a brown so deep you half expect it to charge you interest. The leaf has an oily sheen that catches the light from The Oasis's overhead fans, creating this almost metallic glimmer that screams quality before you even light the thing.

The construction feels solid – not just solid like "this probably won't fall apart," but solid like "you could use this to pound tent stakes if civilization collapsed." The seams are invisible, wrapped tighter than my budget during back-to-school season. Give it a gentle squeeze, and there's just enough give to know the tobacco isn't packed like concrete, but firm enough to suggest this thing means business.

The pre-light draw gives you hints of what's coming: leather, earth, maybe a touch of cocoa. It's like getting a preview of a movie trailer – enough to build anticipation without spoiling the full experience. The cold draw resistance feels perfect, like trying to sip a thick milkshake through a quality straw. Not too tight, not too loose, just right.

Our cargo shorts enthusiast took one look at the cigar and declared it "substantial." Coming from a guy whose idea of fine dining is Olive Garden on date night, that was high praise indeed.

The Lighting Ceremony

There's something ritualistic about lighting a cigar this size. It's not just a quick torch-and-go situation like you might do with a smaller stick. The foot of the Flathead 860 Resonator is substantial enough that you need to take your time, rotate it slowly, and make sure you're getting an even char across the entire surface.

Using my trusty torch lighter (the same brand that's survived three camping trips and two teenagers), I began the toasting process. The tobacco foot started to glow evenly, releasing those first wisps of smoke that smell like promises of good things to come. No hot spots, no uneven charring – just a clean, professional light that suggested this cigar knew what it was doing.

First puff, and I knew we were in for something special. The draw was perfect – imagine trying to breathe through the world's most expensive drinking straw. Enough resistance to let you know you're working with quality tobacco, but smooth enough that you're not turning red-faced trying to get a decent pull.

The immediate impression was power. Not harsh, overwhelming power like some cigars that seem designed to prove how tough they are, but confident, measured strength. Like the difference between a guy who works out to look good at the beach and a guy who's strong because he actually uses his muscles for a living.

First Third: The Foundation

The first third of the CAO Flathead 860 Resonator establishes its credentials immediately. The primary flavors are earth and leather, but not in that generic "earthy and leathery" way that lazy reviewers throw around. This is specific earth – like the smell of fresh potting soil mixed with cedar mulch. And the leather isn't just "leather" – it's well-worn work boots, the kind that have actual character and stories to tell.

About ten minutes in, coffee notes start emerging. Not fancy coffee shop espresso with seventeen syllables in its name, but solid, no-nonsense coffee. The kind your dad drank from a thermos at 5 AM before heading to work. There's a slight sweetness underneath, like someone stirred in just a touch of brown sugar, but it's subtle enough that you might miss it if you're not paying attention.

The burn line is performing like a Swiss watch. Perfectly straight, perfectly even, creating ash that's holding together like it's been professionally engineered. The ash color is a clean gray-white, the kind that makes you want to take pictures to show people who care about such things (which, let's be honest, is basically just other cigar smokers and nobody else).

Our military friend, who approaches cigars with the same systematic precision he once brought to equipment maintenance, nodded approvingly at the burn performance. "Consistent heat distribution," he observed, which in civilian terms means "this thing is built right."

The strength is building gradually, like a train slowly picking up speed. It's not overwhelming, but you can feel it in your chest – that warm, satisfied feeling that tells you this tobacco has some backbone. If you're someone who typically smokes mild Connecticut wrappers, this might be a step up for you. If you're used to Nicaraguan powerhouses, this will feel substantial but manageable.

Second Third: Where Things Get Interesting

Transitioning into the second third, the CAO Flathead 860 Resonator starts showing more complexity. The earth and leather notes are still there, providing a solid foundation, but now we're getting layers. Dark chocolate appears – not milk chocolate from a candy bar, but the serious stuff. The kind with a high cocoa percentage that adults pretend to enjoy more than they actually do, except in this case, it actually works.

There's also a spice element emerging, though it's more warm baking spices than hot pepper. Think cinnamon and nutmeg rather than jalapeño. It adds warmth without heat, complexity without confusion. The overall impression is of a cigar that knows exactly what it wants to be and has the confidence to get there at its own pace.

The technical performance continues to be flawless. The draw remains consistent, the burn line stays straight as a laser level, and the ash is still holding on like it's got job security. We're at about an inch and a quarter of ash now, and it's showing no signs of wanting to fall into my lap and create one of those awkward moments that every cigar smoker has experienced.

Our accountant friend, who's been quietly working through his own stick, commented that this cigar "has good math." When pressed to explain what that meant, he said, "The equation balances. Strength plus flavor plus construction equals what you paid for it." Coming from a guy who sees life in terms of debits and credits, that was practically poetry.

The retrohale – that technique where you exhale smoke through your nose to pick up additional flavors – reveals even more complexity. There's a mineral quality now, like wet stone, plus more of that sweet spice. It's not harsh on the nasal passages, which is always a good sign. Some cigars punish you for trying to retrohale, like they're offended that you're getting too familiar. The Flathead 860 seems to welcome the attention.

The Plot Twist

About halfway through the second third, something interesting happened. One of our crew – the guy who always brings his own ashtray because he's convinced that ash placement affects the smoking experience – noticed something we'd all missed. The band design isn't just decorative; it actually serves as a heat sink.

Now, I'm not sure if this was intentional engineering or happy accident, but the metallic-looking band was definitely conducting heat away from the tobacco just above it. This meant that the area under the band was staying cooler, potentially affecting the burn characteristics and flavor development. It's the kind of detail that cigar nerds love to debate and everyone else finds either fascinating or incredibly boring.

Whether it was the band's influence or just the natural progression of the blend, the flavor profile started shifting again. The chocolate notes became more pronounced, and there was definitely some vanilla creeping in around the edges. Not artificial vanilla like cheap candles, but the real stuff – warm, rich, and complex.

The strength was continuing to build, but in a way that felt natural rather than aggressive. It's like the difference between gradually walking up a hill versus suddenly hitting a wall. Your body adjusts, your palate adapts, and you find yourself keeping pace without strain.

Final Third: The Home Stretch

Entering the final third of the CAO Flathead 860 Resonator, I was prepared for the typical challenges that big cigars sometimes present as they near the end. Heat buildup, flavor degradation, or that general sense that the cigar is running out of steam. None of that happened.

Instead, the final third felt like the cigar was hitting its stride. All the flavors that had been developing throughout the smoke came together in a way that felt intentional and satisfying. The earth and leather were still there as the foundation, but now they were joined by rich coffee, dark chocolate, warm spices, and that hint of vanilla that had been playing peek-a-boo since the middle section.

The strength reached what I'd call full-bodied without being overwhelming. If you're someone who gets nicotine buzzes easily, you might want to make sure you've eaten something substantial before tackling this cigar. But if you're used to stronger smokes, this feels just right – present and accounted for without dominating the experience.

Technically, the cigar continued to perform like a champion. The burn line stayed true, the ash held until I was ready to knock it off, and the draw remained consistent all the way down to the final inch. There's something deeply satisfying about a cigar that maintains its composure from start to finish, like a professional who never lets you see them sweat.

Our cargo shorts friend, who had been documenting the entire experience with the dedication of a nature photographer, announced that this was "definitely going on the repeat purchase list." High praise from someone whose cigar budget is carefully managed by a spouse who considers his hobby "moderately ridiculous but ultimately harmless."

The Technical Scorecard

Let's talk numbers for a moment, because sometimes it helps to break things down into concrete terms:

Construction: Flawless. The wrapper showed no cracks, soft spots, or imperfections. The cap cut cleanly without unraveling. The foot lit evenly and maintained perfect combustion throughout the entire smoke.

Draw: Ideal resistance – enough to know you're working with quality tobacco, but not so tight that you're working hard for each puff. Think premium drinking straw rather than trying to suck thick pudding through a coffee stirrer.

Burn: Straight as an arrow from start to finish. No touch-ups required, no hot spots, no tunneling. The kind of burn performance that makes you want to show off to other cigar smokers.

Ash: Held consistently to about 1.5 inches before requiring attention. Clean gray-white color throughout. Firm enough to photograph, cooperative enough not to redecorate your shirt.

Smoke Production: Generous but not overwhelming. Enough smoke to feel substantial without creating a fog bank that requires air traffic control clearance.

Value Proposition: Let's Talk Money

At around $12-15 depending on where you shop, the CAO Flathead 860 Resonator sits squarely in the premium cigar category without venturing into "I need to check my bank balance twice" territory. For a cigar this size and quality, that price point feels fair rather than generous, but it's not unreasonable.

To put it in perspective, you're looking at roughly 2-2.5 hours of smoking time, which works out to about $5-7 per hour of entertainment. Compare that to movie tickets, sporting events, or even a decent dinner out, and the math starts looking pretty reasonable. Assuming, of course, that you consider sitting in a chair smoking tobacco to be entertainment, which if you're reading this review, you probably do.

The real question is whether the experience justifies the cost, and in this case, I'd say yes. This isn't a cigar you'd smoke every day unless you have a significantly better financial situation than most of us, but for special occasions, weekly traditions, or when you want to treat yourself to something genuinely good, it delivers.

Pairing Suggestions: What to Drink

The CAO Flathead 860 Resonator is robust enough to handle substantial drink pairings without being overwhelmed. Here's what worked for our Friday night crew:

Bourbon: The classic choice, and for good reason. The vanilla and caramel notes in a good bourbon complement the chocolate and spice elements in the cigar beautifully. We tried it with Buffalo Trace and Maker's Mark, both excellent choices. Avoid anything too delicate – you want a bourbon with enough character to hold its own.

Dark Rum: Surprisingly good pairing. The molasses sweetness in aged rum plays nicely with the earthy, chocolate notes in the cigar. Our accountant friend brought a bottle of Mount Gay Eclipse, and it worked better than expected.

Coffee: For those who prefer non-alcoholic pairings, a strong, dark roast coffee is excellent. The bitter elements in the coffee contrast nicely with the sweet spices in the cigar. Avoid anything too acidic or light – you want coffee with backbone.

What to Avoid: Light beers, delicate wines, anything with artificial flavors. This cigar has too much character to pair with wimpy drinks.

Comparison Shopping: How It Stacks Up

The CAO Flathead 860 Resonator exists in a competitive space filled with other full-bodied, large-ring-gauge cigars. Here's how it compares to some alternatives you might be considering:

Versus Drew Estate Liga Privada No. 9: The Liga is more intense, more complex, but also more expensive and harder to find. The Flathead 860 is more approachable and available, but perhaps not quite as memorable.

Versus Padron 1964 Anniversary Series: The Padron has more refinement and subtlety, but the Flathead 860 has more immediate impact. Think classical music versus blues rock – both excellent, different purposes.

Versus My Father Le Bijou 1922: Similar price range and strength level. The My Father has more pepper, the CAO has more chocolate and earth. Personal preference will determine the winner here.

Versus Alec Bradley Prensado: The Prensado is more complex and arguably better constructed, but also more expensive. The Flathead 860 Resonator offers more bang for your buck if budget is a consideration.

Who Should Smoke This Cigar

The CAO Flathead 860 Resonator is ideal for several types of cigar smokers:

The Weekend Warrior: Someone who smokes occasionally but wants quality when they do. This cigar provides enough substance and complexity to make the experience memorable.

The Strength Seeker: If you've graduated beyond mild cigars but aren't ready for the most aggressive Nicaraguan powerhouses, this is a perfect middle ground.

The Value Hunter: Premium quality without premium pricing. You get a lot of cigar for your money.

The Social Smoker: Perfect for groups and events where you want something substantial that will last through long conversations.

Who Should Skip It: If you prefer mild cigars, limited smoking time, or have a strict budget under $10 per stick, this probably isn't your best choice.

The Oasis Verdict

After two hours of careful consideration, extensive discussion with the Friday night crew, and enough tobacco consumption to require a post-smoke nap, our verdict on the CAO Flathead 860 Resonator is solidly positive.

This is a cigar that delivers on its promises without overselling itself. It looks impressive, smokes even better, and provides enough complexity to keep experienced smokers interested while remaining approachable enough for relative newcomers to the hobby.

The construction quality is excellent, the flavor development is logical and satisfying, and the value proposition is reasonable for the quality delivered. It's not going to revolutionize your understanding of what cigars can be, but it's going to provide a consistently excellent smoking experience every time you light one up.

Our cargo shorts enthusiast summed it up best: "This is the kind of cigar that makes you understand why people get serious about this hobby." Coming from someone whose previous cigar expertise peaked at gas station purchases, that's significant praise.

The military precision guy appreciated the technical consistency: "Zero malfunctions, performs to spec, would recommend for extended operations." In normal person language, that means it works reliably and doesn't disappoint.

Our accountant friend, ever practical, noted: "The cost-benefit analysis works out. Quality received matches investment made." Which is probably the most romantic thing an accountant has ever said about tobacco.

Final Rating and Recommendation

On our completely subjective, highly personal scale that definitely wouldn't hold up to scientific scrutiny, the CAO Flathead 860 Resonator earns a solid 8.5 out of 10.

It loses half a point for being just expensive enough that it's not an everyday smoke for those of us managing real-world budgets, and another point for not quite reaching the complexity levels of the absolute top-tier cigars in its price range. But it gains points for consistency, value, accessibility, and the simple fact that it's genuinely enjoyable to smoke.

This is a cigar I'd confidently recommend to anyone looking to explore fuller-bodied smokes, anyone wanting a reliable option for special occasions, or anyone who appreciates quality construction and straightforward, honest flavors.

Would I buy it again? Absolutely. Will it become my regular Thursday night smoke? Probably not, due to budget considerations. But will it earn a permanent spot in the humidor for occasions that call for something substantial and satisfying? Without question.

The CAO Flathead 860 is proof that sometimes the cigars with the most intimidating appearances and working-class names deliver exactly what they promise: honest quality, straightforward satisfaction, and two hours of reliable companionship while you solve the world's problems one puff at a time.

The Thursday Night Consensus

As our evening wound down and The Oasis slowly emptied of smoke and conversation, the consensus was clear: the CAO Flathead 860 Resonator had successfully served as guest of honor for another memorable Friday night gathering.

Sure, we didn't actually solve any of the world's problems – we never do – but we spent two quality hours in good company with good tobacco, and sometimes that's accomplishment enough. The cigar facilitated conversation, provided a shared experience, and created the kind of memories that make Friday night gatherings feel special.

In the end, that might be the most important review criteria of all: does this cigar enhance the experience of spending time with people you enjoy? For the CAO Flathead 860, the answer is a definitive yes.

So there you have it – our take on a cigar that shows up wearing work boots and delivers exactly what you'd expect from something with that kind of confidence. Sometimes the best reviews are the simple ones: good cigar, good time, good company.

What more do you really need?

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