Press Release
New CAO Cigar Harkens Back To Pre-Nationalization Havana
Nashville, July 29, 2009: CAO, one of the world’s foremost premium cigar manufacturers, announced today that it will debut its CAO La Traviata cigar brand at the IPCPR 77th Annual Convention and International Trade Show in New Orleans August 8-12.
The La Traviata brand began its life at the turn of the 20th Century in Cuba or, more precisely, in the Tabacalera Cubana, Agramonte no. 106, in Havana. Over 100 years later, CAO has resurrected the La Traviata name, abiding closely to its original Cuban roots in presentation and taste. CAO La Traviata is a full-bodied, full-flavored cigar that combines an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with a Cameroon binder and incorporates two different ligero filler tobaccos from the Pueblo Nuevo farm in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. “The inspiration for La Traviata came from smoking numerous classic Cuban cigars,” said CAO President Tim Ozgener. “We wanted to create a cigar that appealed to sight, smell, and taste. The oily sheen of the Ecuadorian wrapper compels you to pick it up. The pre-light has a distinct pepper and leather nose. The flavor bombards the palate with intense, rich notes of cedar, anise, and leather, evolving along the way into a lush and creamy finish. We’ve also stayed true to the original La Traviata vista and artwork circa 1901-1904.”
Packaged in 24-count boxes, CAO La Traviata will be available in three shapes: Divino (5″ x 50), Radiante (6″ x 52), and Intrépido (7″ x 54), and will have a suggested retail price range of $4.95 to $5.75 per cigar.
It is great to see a cigar of this magnitude back on the marjet. This smoke is one of the best I have seen recenty. With all the new brands and some very bad (and i mean very very bad) experiences with amature smokes revently this one stands out in the crowd. Good post on a great smoke.
This La Traviata line is more remarkable for the exceptional marketing by CAO than actually being even close to the second coming of the pre-embargo Cuban cigar. But the marketing wizards at CAO have outdone even their own reputation on this one — well done).
It’s not a bad cigar if you prefer full strength, full flavor smokes and it is a good value. If you do purchase these, just be sure to let them rest at least 3-6 months before smoking them because if you aren’t patient and decide to smoke them early, that bitterness after the first third is nasty.