C.A.O. Cigars have been around for a long time. Originally starting out in Cuba in the 20th century, when they tried to revive the company, they kept the name the same, and tried to bring the cigars back to the old flavors of Cuba. The La Traviata is CAO’s attempt to make a cigar that would bring you back to the pre-embargo Cubans. Though you may find that it does not deliver in this sense, the blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos does give this cigar great flavor.

The CAO La Traviata is made with a Ecuador-grown Habano see, a Cameroon binder, and filled with a blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos. This will make for a very complex palate later on. The wrapper is gleaming and has a nice, leathery sheen. The band is a simple, classy gold with a little bit of red. And it’s got a nice, firm feel too it. The draw was nearly effortless, maybe a little dense, and it has a good long burn.

The flavor progression of this cigar would make it great for maybe after a big dinner. It starts out with some peppery and leathery notes, and you made find some sweetness hidden in the flavors. As you move into the second third, you’ll find a richer, earthy flavor, with cedar and leather in the notes. Finally, this cigar will nub out with a creamy, smooth finish. It may start out a little harder, with both pepper and cedar, but by the end, you’ll find it very satisfying.

C.A.O. La Traviata is a great choice for its price. If you’re looking for a cigar that is under $6.00, your local cigar shop will probably have this one. Though, you may want to let this one sit in your humidor for a little bit, because it can be a little bitter if it’s not aged at all. Overall, though, it’s a great cigar to have in your humidor for smoking after a big dinner. The sharpness of the beginning balances out with how it ends and is very satisfying to smoke.

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