CAO La Traviata Animados

jesseboston81 · 02-06-2011, 04:39 PM

This is my first review, so be gentle! Also, I haven't been smoking long and my palette isn't very developed, so I can't pick out a lot of the more subtle flavors that may have been present.

Size: 5 5/8 x 46
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Cameroon
Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic
MSRP: $4.95

Smoked this one outside on porch, air temperature was approximately 40 degrees, partly cloudy, still to slight breeze, occasional gusting to moderate.

Wrapper is a milk chocolate color, very smooth with a nice sheen. Some veins, but nothing worrisome. A few discolored spots, only one large enough to be noteworthy. Wrapper smelled like a Missouri tobacco barn, but there was a sweetness, possibly like chocolate. These scents were more intense at the foot. Stick felt firm with no irregular spots. Cap clipped easily, but it left a small loose piece that stuck to my lip on the first cold draw; once moistened it stayed on the cigar and never bothered me again. Cold draw had a perfect amount of resistance, taste was tobaccoy and sweet. Lit by toasting with torch lighter until lit, without puffing, and then a quick purge to clear. The burn throughout was mostly OK, slightly wavy but only requiring one touchup.

First third: First draw was smooth and sweet, very chocolatey and nutty, almost like sipping on a hot chocolate. The chocolate and nuttiness persisted, with a little bit of spice for the next few puffs. Nothing super-powerful or overwhelming, but I could feel it on the back of my palette. The spice disappeared quickly, and never made a reappearance. The chocolate and nuttiness stayed strong through the first third, with a leather finish. Retrohaling burned like hell, but increased the chocolate. It was a sweet chocolate, milky, but not creamy. The stick was producing an impressive amount of resting smoke. Ash held on for about an inch before falling. It was in the transition between thirds that I needed to touch up the burn, which had gotten too far off for my liking:

Second third: The chocolate and nuts diminished, and the leather moved to the forefront, along with alternating wood and floral flavors. Retrohaling still brought the chocolate forward, but it also still burned like hell, so I didn't do it much. The amount of resting smoke diminished.

Final third: As the final third began, the flavors remained the same as the second third: leather, wood, and slight flowers, with a chocolate and nut finish. However, with a little over an inch left the draw opened way up and the flavors abruptly changed to thick, rich, creamy vanilla and nuts, with maybe a hint of leather in the finish.

This was very impressive! It was all I could do to wait between puffs! I retrohaled to see if things had changed--still burning, still chocolatey. The resting smoke was way up again, pouring out of the stick, and the smoke in my mouth was very creamy. I couldn't get over the flavor! After about 3/4 of an inch like this, almost at the nub, the cigar started to turn harsh. I could feel my tongue and gums tingling a little bit, and the delicious flavors disappeared. At this point I retired the cigar, happy with the experience.

Total smoke time: 1 hour, 5 minutes.

Final verdict: I LOVED this cigar, and at the price it can't be beat! The whole experience was good, but that last bit impressed me more than any cigar I have smoked. This may very well become the first box purchase I make!

Ranger_B · 02-06-2011, 04:44 PM

Great review!One of the few CAO cigars I like. This is a great example of a creamy smoke.

boom · 02-06-2011, 07:34 PM

I too love this CAO... not many I like...

joeobx · 02-06-2011, 09:32 PM

Great review Jesse. I like this smoke a lot.

docdoty · 02-06-2011, 09:52 PM

That is a dam fine NC. The maduro version is also very good. Thanks for the review.

smokinpeace · 02-07-2011, 06:14 AM

I wasn't a fan of the maduro but the natural is a great smoke and value.

02-07-2011, 09:04 AM

No need to be gentle. That was a pretty good review by any standard.

jdawg · 02-07-2011, 11:40 AM

Like others, one of the few CAOs I like.

Great review!

Bageland2000 · 02-07-2011, 12:15 PM

Good review! Yeah ths ad the Brazilia are the two CAOs that I like.

CRIMPS · 02-07-2011, 12:46 PM

Great review!!! I was given one of these recently. Looks like its time to do a comparison.

RatherUneek · 02-07-2011, 01:17 PM

This is a great smoke. When I do finally decide to pick up my first box I think this may be it. And as previously stated, the price can't be beat.

BlackIrish · 02-09-2011, 10:24 AM

Great review!

kelmac07 · 02-09-2011, 11:15 AM

Nice review Jesse!! I enjoy these as well.

02-06-2011, 04:39 PM	#1
jesseboston81 CC Simple PIF Promoter Join Date: Dec 2010 First Name: Jesse Location: Londonderry, NH Posts: 2,231 Trading: (41)	CAO La Traviata Animados This is my first review, so be gentle! Also, I haven't been smoking long and my palette isn't very developed, so I can't pick out a lot of the more subtle flavors that may have been present. Size: 5 5/8 x 46 Wrapper: Ecuador Habano Binder: Cameroon Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic MSRP: $4.95 Smoked this one outside on porch, air temperature was approximately 40 degrees, partly cloudy, still to slight breeze, occasional gusting to moderate. Wrapper is a milk chocolate color, very smooth with a nice sheen. Some veins, but nothing worrisome. A few discolored spots, only one large enough to be noteworthy. Wrapper smelled like a Missouri tobacco barn, but there was a sweetness, possibly like chocolate. These scents were more intense at the foot. Stick felt firm with no irregular spots. Cap clipped easily, but it left a small loose piece that stuck to my lip on the first cold draw; once moistened it stayed on the cigar and never bothered me again. Cold draw had a perfect amount of resistance, taste was tobaccoy and sweet. Lit by toasting with torch lighter until lit, without puffing, and then a quick purge to clear. The burn throughout was mostly OK, slightly wavy but only requiring one touchup. First third: First draw was smooth and sweet, very chocolatey and nutty, almost like sipping on a hot chocolate. The chocolate and nuttiness persisted, with a little bit of spice for the next few puffs. Nothing super-powerful or overwhelming, but I could feel it on the back of my palette. The spice disappeared quickly, and never made a reappearance. The chocolate and nuttiness stayed strong through the first third, with a leather finish. Retrohaling burned like hell, but increased the chocolate. It was a sweet chocolate, milky, but not creamy. The stick was producing an impressive amount of resting smoke. Ash held on for about an inch before falling. It was in the transition between thirds that I needed to touch up the burn, which had gotten too far off for my liking: Second third: The chocolate and nuts diminished, and the leather moved to the forefront, along with alternating wood and floral flavors. Retrohaling still brought the chocolate forward, but it also still burned like hell, so I didn't do it much. The amount of resting smoke diminished. Final third: As the final third began, the flavors remained the same as the second third: leather, wood, and slight flowers, with a chocolate and nut finish. However, with a little over an inch left the draw opened way up and the flavors abruptly changed to thick, rich, creamy vanilla and nuts, with maybe a hint of leather in the finish. This was very impressive! It was all I could do to wait between puffs! I retrohaled to see if things had changed--still burning, still chocolatey. The resting smoke was way up again, pouring out of the stick, and the smoke in my mouth was very creamy. I couldn't get over the flavor! After about 3/4 of an inch like this, almost at the nub, the cigar started to turn harsh. I could feel my tongue and gums tingling a little bit, and the delicious flavors disappeared. At this point I retired the cigar, happy with the experience. Total smoke time: 1 hour, 5 minutes. Final verdict: I LOVED this cigar, and at the price it can't be beat! The whole experience was good, but that last bit impressed me more than any cigar I have smoked. This may very well become the first box purchase I make! __________________ Come play in the CC Simple PIF!

02-06-2011, 04:44 PM	#2
Ranger_B Have My Own Room Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Frank Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,321 Trading: (31)	Re: CAO La Traviata Animados Great review!One of the few CAO cigars I like. This is a great example of a creamy smoke.

02-06-2011, 07:34 PM	#3
boom Central Cali Cigar Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Troy Location: Cen Cal Posts: 1,659 Trading: (107)	Re: CAO La Traviata Animados I too love this CAO... not many I like...

02-06-2011, 09:32 PM	#4
joeobx just playing in the storm Join Date: Oct 2009 First Name: Joe Location: Fredericksburg. VA VCM Country Posts: 1,117 Trading: (4)	Re: CAO La Traviata Animados Great review Jesse. I like this smoke a lot. __________________ it's all fun and games till the flying monkeys show up

02-06-2011, 09:52 PM	#5
docdoty Cigars & Guns...what else Join Date: Oct 2010 First Name: Justin Location: Homer, mi Posts: 429 Trading: (8)	Re: CAO La Traviata Animados That is a dam fine NC. The maduro version is also very good. Thanks for the review. __________________ Enjoy what you smoke, and Smoke what you enjoy

02-07-2011, 06:14 AM	#6
smokinpeace Still Watching My Back Join Date: Oct 2010 First Name: Brennan Location: Virginia Posts: 179 Trading: (6)	Re: CAO La Traviata Animados I wasn't a fan of the maduro but the natural is a great smoke and value.

02-07-2011, 09:04 AM	#7
Nathan King Guest Posts: n/a	Re: CAO La Traviata Animados No need to be gentle. That was a pretty good review by any standard.

02-07-2011, 11:40 AM	#8
jdawg Still Watching My Back Join Date: Feb 2011 First Name: Jerry Location: Chicago area Posts: 215 Trading: (2)	Re: CAO La Traviata Animados Like others, one of the few CAOs I like. Great review!

02-07-2011, 12:15 PM	#9
Bageland2000 On another adventure Join Date: Jan 2011 First Name: Andrew Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 352 Trading: (2)	Re: CAO La Traviata Animados Good review! Yeah ths ad the Brazilia are the two CAOs that I like. __________________ Favorites: Arturo Fuente Sun Grown Rosado, Oliva Serie V, CAO La Traviata/Brazilia, Perdomo 10th An. Champagne

02-07-2011, 12:46 PM	#10
CRIMPS Benn/Seguin best friends Join Date: Sep 2010 First Name: Zach Location: North Texas Posts: 1,520 Trading: (50)	Re: CAO La Traviata Animados Great review!!! I was given one of these recently. Looks like its time to do a comparison. __________________ I'm a Dallas Stars fan. So, yes, this is a confusing time for me.

02-07-2011, 01:17 PM	#11
RatherUneek Still Watching My Back Join Date: Nov 2010 First Name: Rich Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 69 Trading: (2)	Re: CAO La Traviata Animados This is a great smoke. When I do finally decide to pick up my first box I think this may be it. And as previously stated, the price can't be beat.

02-09-2011, 10:24 AM	#12
BlackIrish MassHole Militia Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Eddie Location: Bunker Hill Posts: 1,395 Trading: (55)	Re: CAO La Traviata Animados Great review! __________________

02-09-2011, 11:15 AM	#13
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: CAO La Traviata Animados Nice review Jesse!! I enjoy these as well. __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"