CAO Bella Vanilla

I'm a sucker for any pipe tobacco flavored with vanilla. I've tried 15 or 20 of them. My favorite so far is McClelland's CORPS Vanilla Ice. That's my idea of a great 4 Star Vanilla. CAO's entry is a good smooth smoke, but the alcohol is stronger than the vanilla. I would prefer no alcohol and a stronger vanilla flavor, such as in Vanilla Ice. I give this one a 3.

This was included in a package purchase and I was disappointed with the flavor (or lack of). There is a hint of vanilla. On the plus side it was a mild smoke but I'll have to find something to mix it with to give it flavor.

This is a good vanilla aromatic. I got this in a monthly special packing, and its a good basic vanilla. I would and have recommended it to my friend who smokes a vanilla. Convert.

Vanilla gets a bad rap. Synonymous often times with boring, it's subtle attributes are lost in a sea of chocolate and stouter 'in your face' essences. (Whiskey, tropical fruit, mint...the list goes on). That said, it is one of my favorite flavors. The fact it comes from the seed pods of a tropical orchid just heightens the snob appeal for me. But have you ever baked a cake? Ever notice that that big honkin' bowl of batter requires but a small spoonful of bean infused alcohol? Almost doesn't make sense...until you realize a little goes a long way. I've added extra extract to cake mix before (as in, two or three spoonfuls)..a pitiful difference to be sure. The net result was odd. The finished cake still smelled the same, but the taste was...off. Whereas a properly proportioned cake has that sublime vanilla flavor, lightly teasing the palate, the overdosed cake didn't. I could smell the vanilla, not taste it. The flavor was lost to my tongue, somehow. Tis much the same with Bella Vanilla.

I admit to not typically bothering with aromatics....but...the fact it's a VA...(good!), flake...(even better!) perked my ears. (Cavendish gloopfests need not apply.) Unfortunately, the copious amount of 'gently misted extract' totally reduced the experience into utter meaninglessness. Unless my threshold is way lower than most, the overabundance of flavoring ruins this potentially fine tobac. Dried out made no difference. I even cut it down 50% with a straight VA, and also a VA/Per, only to have 'eh...better' results.

At the premium a tin commands, I loathe tweaking in any form. Besides, I'm no blender. I have no intentions in buying any more BV. But, if you can hang with (what I perceive as) over the top aromatic VA's, be my guest. I'll not be your competition.

2 stars.

I tried this tobacco after trying the cigar by the same maker and flavor and did not enjoy either one of them. the tobacco burned very hot and wet i tried drying it out to no avail I still couldnt taste any vanilla just nothing. my friends said it was ok smelling but the prefered my dainsh vanilla made by a local tobaccoist. if any one has any ideas of what i could do to make it more pleasent to smoke i will try all suggestions.

I believe this was actually one of the first Aromatics that i smoke. There is no bite and it burns evenly. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a aromatic vanilla blend.

I picked up a tin of this without having tried it before - just looking for something mild and smooth. The owner of the store offered a smell of one of the CAO cigars flavored with this same vanilla. I almost did not puchase based on that smell, but I am glad I did.

Upon opening the tin I was greeted with a rich, but not overpowering scent. This tobacco was slightly moiste and I have been smoking it without drying. A mixture of light brown and dark brown rough cut tobacco. Slightly softer texture than MB Burley.

Smells great while packing and packed easily. Tamped only slightly and lit. Good thick white smoke and good flavor. Flavor stayed consistant to the bottom of the bowl. Only one re-lite to get to the bottom.

No bite whatsoever. I have been enjoying this tobacco as an early morning smoke before work.