Studio Tabac Cain "Daytona"

I was excited to find this stick in my humidor at the Cigar Cave the other day. I had read about the Cain, but had not yet had the opportunity to try one. If you have not heard of the brand, Cain manufactures on of the only 100% Ligero cigars on the market. The Daytona is comprised of 100% Jalapa Ligero, which is the smoothest of the Ligero cigars produced by under the Cain logo.This is one of the milder cigars that Cain produces, but the Cain Daytona still promises to be a fairly strong cigar.

Now for a bit of education... No, don't go running for the hills, I will keep this short. The Ligero leaves on a tobacco plant are those leaves growing at the top of the plant. They are smaller than the leaves near the bottom and as a result they are provided with much more sun. This makes them thicker, and fills them with more nutrients than the leaves near the bottom of the plant which, in turn, makes them much more powerful when wrapped into a cigar.

The version I smoked was a Corona 6 X 46 version. It was very nicely constructed! the wrapper was very smooth, and the cigar

was devoid of any irregularities... No hard spots, no soft spots. Always a plus when selecting a good hand-made stick! The smell was very mild, slightly woody (mostly dry oak to me) with hints of cedar, possibly from curing. The cap was well adhered, kudos to the man or woman who built this one!

The pre-light taste confirmed my initial smell. The pull was easy and provided a nice woody taste, not overpowering of tobacco. With my first match I toasted the foot, and much to my pleasure the flavors intensified even more. There was the undeniable small of  woody tobacco. You judge for yourself, but I still swear to dry oak with hints of cedar. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest I have smelled my share of Oak (any maybe your share too!).

The cigar lit very evenly and burned quite readily making me think it may have been slightly under-humidified. I had only left it in my humidor for about a week at 72% and 70*. I know some of you may think this is a bit high, but the is Southern Oregon, and we don't have a lot of natural humidity to take advantage of! The firt flavors to hit my palate were very smooth, smoother than I expected for a 100% Ligero cigar! I was expecting a power-house cigar!

As I burned the first half inch, I was quite pleased. The flavors were very balanced with just a hint of spice on the exhale. If you like a smooth smoking stick, you may want to consider this jewel. The flavor was not as complex as many cigars out there with blends of tobacco from different regions of the world and different parts of the tobacco plant. Exactly as you would expect. I actually considered this a plus. I don't consider this a detriment... I have said this before, but my palate is not overly refined, and I cannot pick up half the flavors many cigar aficionados can from their smokes!

This is considered a medium full cigar, and I think that I would agree with that assessment. It is full, but not overpowering and smoother than most strong cigars that I have tried.

As the Cigar burned down, the woody flavors consolidated a bit, but the cigar didn't become strong or bitter. It burned exceptionally even like an expensive hand rolled cigar should, but this wasn't (from my limited research, more on this later) a 12 dollar cigar. The cigar did not produce a large volume of smoke (also a plus in my book), and the ash was tight, white and held on for well over an inch and three quarters!

As the cigar continued to burn, the flavors continued to intensify a bit, but never really evolved, just got a bit more powerful. It is, in my opinion a very monochromatic cigar. I think this may appeal to many cigar smokers out there as you know what to expect from the last draw from the first... I actually like my cigars to evolve just a bit... Maybe transitioning from slightly spicy to smooth and nutty... This cigar did not do that. This is what I would call a great "golf" cigar as you would not miss the transitions and subtle tasting notes that many cigars provide but you would still get the pleasure of a great tasting cigar while hitting the front or back nine!

Have I mentioned how well it burned! Even from the first light to the nub! I can't tell you how much I appreciate this in a cigar. There is nothing worse than a cigar than burns down one side and then the other... I may add a few of these to the humidor for a good general purpose smoke. There is not a lot I can say that is a negative. And, at just over 5 bucks a stick (online for a five pack, 5 for 26 bucks) I don't see how you can go wrong with this one.

Final thoughts on this cigar? It is a good "every day" smoke. It burns incredibly well, the flavors are smooth, balanced, yet strong for those of us that like the powerful sticks. Its flavors are mellow, consisting of mostly wood, perhaps a hint of coffee and just a smattering of pepper on the aftertaste. It was a good smoke from the initial dry taste to the nub. I would give it a shot if you are looking for a new experience.

Cheers! Jm