CAO cigars are known all over the world as one of the most innovative cigar brands. They use the world’s finest premium tobaccos, producing a cigar that is one of a kind. It has an excellent portfolio that showcases mouthwatering flavors in every flavor-infused cigar piece. With every CAO cigar, you can have a cigar smoke that goes with old-world tradition yet is laced with a modern edge. With CAO cigars, it is easy and fun for you to find a cigar that goes well with anyone’s palate. If you’re in the market for premium cigars, look no further than CAO. From wrapper, tobacco leaf, to fermentation, CAO does everything right to produce a cigar worthy of a spot in every humidor of every cigar smoker.
The Best CAO Cigars
ScotchCigars.com’s Top Pick for CAO Cigars
CAO Pilon Robusto Extra
The brand has long experimented and — it’s fair to say — perfected the classic pilon fermentation. Unsurprisingly, the CAO Pilon was hailed “Cigar of the Year” by the celebrated international cigar magazine L’Amateur de Cigare, topping more than 400 of the finest cigars available in France. It also our top pick for 2021 best cigars.
CAO MX2 Robusto
Don’t pay retail price $199.80. Use the link above for big savings.
CAO MX2 is the #9 cigar on our top 10 cigars under $10 list. It is quite an interesting cigar that showcases a Maduro binder and wrapper. It is made up of a dark and oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper that secures a Brazilian binder that includes filler tobaccos from Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Peru. This cigar is medium to full-bodied and bursting with flavors of pepper, oak, earth, and that soft chocolatey sweetness.
CAO Gold Maduro Corona Gorda
Don’t pay retail price $179.80. Use the link above for big savings.
CAO Gold Maduro is the result when you get one of the best-selling cigars in the market and have it wrapped in the best Maduro wrapper. It features the Nicaraguan long-filler tobacco blend that CAO cigars are known for. CAO Gold Maduro cigars offer an outstanding creamy smoke added with the tastes of cocoa and nuts and the aromas of earth and wood, resulting in a complex flavor profile cigar. This cigar is great for a smooth Maduro experience or a cigar lover who is looking for a milder yet flavorful cigar experience.
CAO Italia Gondola
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CAO Italia is a groundbreaking cigar that features premium Italian tobacco. It showcases an extraordinary Italian Habano seed filler that lends a woody and sweet one-of-a-kind flavor profile. Alongside the Italian Habano, Peru and Nicaragua tobaccos are also used. The blend is completed with the addition of a highly prominent Honduran binder and wrapper. Every piece of CAO cigar is full of natural aromas and aromas of earth, pepper, and spices. Every cigar enthusiast would love this medium to full-bodied smoke that is exploding with character and flavors.
CAO Flathead Steel Horse Apehanger
| Wrapper Origin: Connecticut | Shape: Toro |
| Length: 5.75 | Ring: 54 |
| Wrapper: Habano | List Price: $180 (Box of 20) |
| Origin: Nicaragua | Strength: Full |
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CAO Flathead Steel Horse cigars are a wickedly full bodied offering from Rick Rodriguez that will rev up your taste buds. This CAO is made with tobaccos hailing from five cigar producing nations: Honduras, Nicaragua, Brazil, Dominican Republic and USA (the dark and oily Connecticut Habano Oscuro wrapper leaf). This cigar’s complexity must be smoked to be believed. There are distinct flavors of chocolate, wood and espresso.
CAO Gold Robusto
| Wrapper Origin: Ecuador | Shape: Robusto |
| Length: 5 | Ring: 50 |
| Wrapper: Connecticut | List Price: $141 (Box of 20) |
| Origin: Nicaragua | Strength: Mellow |
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CAO Gold cigars have rich flavor and expert craftsmanship. This affordably-priced edition is blended with choice Nicaraguan long-fillers and golden, silky Ecuadorian Connecticut wrappers. CAO Gold is mild in body, the smoke offers a smooth, effortless draw offering mellow, toasty-nutty flavors and a sweet aroma.
CAO Signature Series Robusto Extra
| Wrapper Origin: Ecuador | Shape: Corona |
| Length: 5.75 | Ring: 54 |
| Wrapper: Sumatra | List Price: $119 (Box of 18) |
| Origin: Nicaragua | Strength: Mellow |
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CAO Gold Signature Series cigars show why CAO was so widely acclaimed in the first place. While the original CAO Gold has been long time recommended for new smokers, the Signature Series has aged – much like the smoker. It’s ready to offer bigger, smoother flavors, while still maintaining the original mild-medium-body that keeps us coming back to this stick time and time again. The Signature Series delivers on balance of flavor, quality, and affordability. So whether you’re a beginner or a fan of great deals on premium classics, the CAO Gold Signature Series is the way to go.
CAO Flathead V770 Big Block
Don’t pay retail price $215.76. Use the link above for big savings.
CAO Flathead cigar will evoke memories of the ‘50s and ‘60s muscle car culture. They come with distinctive and highly complex flavors and they are molded into unique shapes giving it an attractive construction. These excellent Maduro cigars are wrapped delicately in a Connecticut Broadleaf and made up of Ecuadorian/Connecticut binder which is accentuated by a Nicaraguan tobacco blend, leading into a smooth and slightly spicy taste. You can expect expert craftsmanship from this full-bodied smoke.
CAO Brazilia Amazon
Don’t pay retail price $135.80. Use the link above for big savings.
CAO Brazilia is one of the brand’s finest blends to date. It is one of the highest-rated on the cigar market. This full-bodied premium cigar blend is composed of high-quality Nicaraguan filler tobacco and binder and also a dark Brazilian leaf wrapper that hails from the Bahia region. It also features a mix of earth and spices in its flavor profile. Every piece of this cigar gives a sweet and hearty finish.
CAO Amazon Basin
CAO Amazon Basin is brought by a rare blend of Nicaraguan, Columbian, Dominican, and Brazilian tobaccos. Some of these come from the tropical South American landscape of the Amazon Rainforest. This cigar goes through a labor-intensive aging process that results in a deliciously strange medium to full-bodied flavor cigar. Each piece comes with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper leaf to produce flavors of earth, damp soil, leather, and cedar and topped with a bold and peppery finish.
CAO Gold Robusto
The CAO Gold Robusto cigar is a top-tier smoking experience. Housed in a golden brown Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, it boasts an exquisite combination of Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. Established in 1998 by Cano Aret Ozgener, CAO Cigars quickly rose to prominence, using only the finest tobaccos in their hand-rolled cigars. The Robusto is characterized by its mellow strength, sourced from Ecuador and Nicaragua. Its pull offers a pleasant firmness and reveals flavors of butterscotch and cedar. The smoker is introduced to a blend of spices, dark chocolate, vanilla, and other tantalizing flavors on lighting. The burn is consistent, requiring no touch-ups, and the aroma and taste are captivating. The cigar provides a balanced, flavorful experience for novices and enthusiasts. Finishing with a 92-point rating, it’s clear that the CAO Gold Robusto is a delightful treat for the senses.
CAO America Potomac
The CAO America Potomac is a standout cigar with a unique character from using five distinct American tobaccos. Historically, while America was once a significant tobacco producer, much of the cigar-making industry has since shifted to Latin America. However, the CAO America Potomac distinguishes itself by showcasing an authentic American flavor profile. This cigar presents a rich and robust taste characterized by bold dark chocolate, leather, and coffee notes. Its dark Connecticut broadleaf wrapper adds to its allure, though some users may experience inconsistent burning. Nevertheless, the CAO America Potomac offers a competitive quality and price point, making it a notable choice among fans.
CAO Colombia Tinto
The CAO Colombia Tinto impresses with its dark chocolate-colored Honduran wrapper and a band that elegantly reflects Colombian colors. Its smoking experience is marked by an earthy note, with hints of cedar, nuts, and a subtle presence of pepper and spice, maintaining a consistent, enjoyable flavor profile throughout. The construction quality stands out, providing a smooth smoking experience without the need for re-lighting. It’s a medium-strength cigar, suitable for both novices and seasoned smokers, offering a complex yet approachable flavor profile. The meticulous crafting of its blend, honoring its namesake with Colombian tobacco and flag-inspired colors, makes the CAO Colombia Tinto a top choice for enthusiasts and an ideal gift for Colombian acquaintances or celebrations.
CAO Flathead V642 Piston
The CAO Flathead V642 Piston cigar stands out in the market for its consistency in flavor and superior craftsmanship. Originating from Nicaragua, this Lonsdale-shaped cigar has a distinctive Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper and a unique box-pressed appearance, punctuated by a double cap that promises a perfect draw. Notable for its robust flavor profile, smokers are treated to hints of black pepper, wood, earth, and chocolate, complemented by a rich aroma reminiscent of a fruit-and-chocolate dessert. Despite some issues with the ash not clinging well, the cigar’s construction is commendable, providing a consistent burn and generous smoke output. Its medium to full-bodied strength pairs exceptionally well with scotch, appealing particularly to those who prefer minimal transitions in flavor throughout their smoking experience. While it may not cater to smokers seeking varied flavors across different thirds, the CAO Flathead V642 Piston offers an enjoyable experience, especially when accompanied by a glass of scotch.
CAO Nicaragua
The CAO Nicaragua cigar, the company’s first blend focusing on Nicaraguan flavors, offers a medium to full body and strength, enveloped in a Honduran Jamastran wrapper and infused with leaves from Nicaragua’s Jalapa, Esteli, and Condega regions. Its flavor profile is a rich tapestry of wood, leather, cream, sweetness, spice, and pepper, making it an affordable choice considering its price range. The cigar’s aesthetic is appealing, with a milk chocolate brown wrapper and a distinctively shaped, vibrant blue and gold band featuring the “CAO” logo. While smoking, initial notes of strong wood and creaminess evolve, revealing nuances of nuts, subdued spice, and enhanced creaminess, although the burn line can be uneven. Despite minor inconsistencies in flavor richness and burn quality, its array of flavors and affordability make it an enjoyable choice for an afternoon smoke or an accompaniment to whiskey, epitomizing the unique experience the CAO Nicaragua provides.
CAO L’Anniversaire Cameroon Robusto
The CAO L’Anniversaire Cameroon Robusto is a meticulously handcrafted cigar known for its intricate blend and rich, complex flavor profile. Its unique combination of an African Cameroon wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler infuses the smoke with deep notes of nuts, coffee, and earth, complemented by chocolate, raisins, and citrus nuances. The cigar’s robust construction is evidenced by its chocolate-colored, leathery texture devoid of weak spots, ensuring optimal smoking performance. Its appearance is further enhanced by a shimmering green cigar band with detailed patterning, making it visually striking. Its smoking experience is smooth and evolves in intensity, starting medium-bodied with a distinct nuttiness blended with undertones of various flavors, transitioning to a more medium-plus body in the final third, all the while maintaining excellent construction and ash integrity. In summary, the CAO L’Anniversaire Cameroon Robusto is highly recommended for enthusiasts of medium-bodied cigars, particularly those who favor a nutty flavor profile, making it a perfect indulgence during the festive season or as a relaxing end to a long day.
CAO VR Moby
The CAO VR Moby cigar, known for its intense flavors, features a dark brown, nearly black Brazilian Maduro wrapper of Honduran origin. Its appearance boasts two distinct bands: the main CAO label, adorned with a gold brand name amidst a black backdrop with red accents, and a more spartan footband with a marble-like design. The cigar initially presents notes of hay grass, spice, and pepper after smoking. The hay grass dissipates as it progresses, leaving a dominant spicy profile that some might find overwhelming. The draw begins tight but eases up, and while its construction is commendable, the flavors might be too potent for novice smokers. The CAO VR Moby offers a robust smoking experience, ideal for those who savor pronounced spice and pepper undertones.
CAO Black Ltd. Bengal
The CAO Black Ltd. Bengal cigar offers a unique blend of light and dark flavors, appealing to enthusiasts with a taste for diverse profiles. Wrapped in an Ecuadorian Connecticut leaf filled with a mix from Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua presents an intriguing array of flavors, including coffee, graham crackers, earth, and an unexpected hint of citrus. Despite some imbalance in the flavor notes, the cigar’s construction is commendable, providing a satisfactory smoking experience with a proper draw, even burn, and substantial smoke output. Although the citrus element might seem discordant within its richer, darker notes, the overall experience could pique the interest of those who appreciate the complexity and may lead to repeated indulgence in the CAO Black Ltd. Bengal.
Mayans M.C. Robusto
Mayans M.C. is a renowned premium cigar brand celebrated for its top-tier quality and potent flavors, particularly the popular Mayans M.C. Robusto. This cigar, notable for its complex taste that intertwines notes of coffee, chocolate, vanilla, and leather with nuances of spice and cream, offers a full-bodied, medium-strength experience. It’s encased in a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, characterized by a rugged, dark appearance that contrasts starkly with its simplistic band, featuring a grayscale design. While its outer aesthetics might not appeal to all, its smoking experience is profound; the flavors evolve richly throughout the smoking phases, with coffee remaining the dominant note complemented by varying undertones in each third. The construction quality is reasonable, with minor issues in draw and burn, yet it doesn’t overshadow the overall enjoyable experience. The Mayans M.C. Robusto stands out not just for its standard flavor profile but for the intriguing transition of flavors, making it a preferred choice for new enthusiasts and seasoned aficionados.
CAO Brazilia Gol
CAO cigars have garnered popularity due to their high quality, fine tobacco, and wide range of flavors, catering to diverse preferences. The CAO Brazilia Gol, in particular, stands out for its distinctive flavor and smooth smoking experience. This cigar is handmade in Nicaragua and is part of the esteemed CAO 5-Star sampler. It is known for its robust strength and rich, complex flavors featuring toasted cedar, nuts, and varying notes of pepper. Despite some inconsistencies in the draw and burn in the final third, its unique flavor profile and connection to Brazilian culture, evident in the color scheme of the band that mirrors the Brazilian flag and the use of a Brazilian wrapper, make the CAO Brazilia Gol an intriguing choice for fans seeking a taste of Brazil.
CAO Italia Ciao
The CAO Italia Ciao, originating from Honduras with a Robusto shape and full strength, is celebrated for its unique homage to Italy, appealing to both casual smokers and connoisseurs. Its oily, bumpy Habano wrapper is eye-catching, adorned with a vibrantly colored band incorporating Italian flag hues, symbolizing the nation’s culture. However, the smoking experience, characterized by a fluctuating draw and flavors transitioning from bitter to woody with spice undertones, doesn’t consistently impress. The final third sees a mellowing in flavors and a drop in construction quality, leading to an overall common, albeit full-bodied, experience that doesn’t quite match expectations set by its premium price and CAO’s reputation, potentially making the CAO Italia Ciao a less recommended choice for future purchases.
