O.K, here I go with my first attempt at a review. I bought a box of CAO Black Mosaic (43x6) about 3 months ago and smoked about 6 of them. Then, I was gifted a Gothic and immidiately smoked it.
At first removal from cedar wrapping, the wrapper, roll, and construction are absolutely a thing of beauty. Very small, insignificant veins and a PERFECT smell.
At first light, a quick sweet aroma with the Mosaic. The Gothic, started with some kick! They both burn Very evenly, like almost all CAO's do. Something about the all-around medium profile (taste, spicyness) of this cigar, makes it one of my fave's.
5 minutes into the Black, the spice comes out but balances the overall quality of the cigar. I am not a seasoned enough sm0ker to say I tasted a nutty,peppery,coffee, chocolate, or anything like that, cause I taste tobacco and judge from there. I did taste the cedar, woodsy hint most of the time.
The Gothic is a good 1-2 hour beauty, where as the Mosaic can be nubbed in 40 min.
IMHO, the different sizes, like many brands, offer a different taste all-together. I would say the Mosaic is mild-medium, and the Gothic a strong, great-tasting medium. The Gothic had comparable spice to the Criollo line, IMO.
Great Cigar. Worth getting a 5-pack and/or putting it on a list to try. Just my .02, and first review
Dave