CAO Traviata

[TheRiddick]

Hmmm... Resurrecting a CUBAN brand with a matching Cuban flavor profile. Wow! No less than an Ecuadorian and Cameroon tobacco used. Amazing anyone is even listening to the sales pitch and more amazing CAO had the balls to claim "Cuban flavor" profile. So, what's next? Swiss watch with parts made in China?

Why not just buy all those pre-embargo cigars at heirloom sales, I see tons of those still in circulation, rocks and all.

[scoot]

Originally Posted by TheRiddick

Hmmm... Resurrecting a CUBAN brand with a matching Cuban flavor profile. Wow! No less than an Ecuadorian and Cameroon tobacco used. Amazing anyone is even listening to the sales pitch and more amazing CAO had the balls to claim "Cuban flavor" profile. So, what's next? Swiss watch with parts made in China?

Why not just buy all those pre-embargo cigars at heirloom sales, I see tons of those still in circulation, rocks and all.

Yeah but so many other manufacturers do that to. I mean, I would think it fair to say that Pepin does it with a large portion of his cigars and he uses Ecuadorian tobacco as well as Connecticut...etc. But when CAO does it, its a marketing gimmick? If its a good cigar then its a good cigar, leave it at that.

[TheRiddick]

Originally Posted by scoot

Yeah but so many other manufacturers do that to. I mean, I would think it fair to say that Pepin does it with a large portion of his cigars and he uses Ecuadorian tobacco as well as Connecticut...etc. But when CAO does it, its a marketing gimmick? If its a good cigar then its a good cigar, leave it at that.

Well, all I can say is that if a Nicaraguan Puro is advertised as "Cuban" in profile, I can see that, same soil and climate. Take a look at Nic ashes as you smoke one, same magnesium content and all.

DPG using Ecuador tobacco? In which of HIS lines? Connecticut? 601 and a few others, OK. And to be honest, 601 Conn is by far my least favorite to the point that I do not buy any. Precisely because of lack of taste.

Read Pepin's recent interview, he clearly states that his ultimate cigar would be 50/50 Cuban and Nic tobacco. Any wonder that another recent ex-pat, Fernandez, ALSO settled in Nicaragua and makes cigars there? And Pepin's partner in tobacco farms they own in Nicaragua, ALSO a Cuban ex-pat. I do not believe in coincidences.

But Ecuador and Cameroon? They look different and taste different. Especially from CAO, who couldn't produce a full bodied smoke if their lifes depended on that, at least none by now. You could play all you want with non-Cuban/Nic tobacco, it won'd deliver full body. Yeah, I know some will point to the likes of LFD and all I can say is that I do not believe they are 100% Dominican tobacco no matter what is being claimed.

Anyway...

[scoot]

Originally Posted by TheRiddick

Well, all I can say is that if a Nicaraguan Puro is advertised as "Cuban" in profile, I can see that, same soil and climate. Take a look at Nic ashes as you smoke one, same magnesium content and all.

DPG using Ecuador tobacco? In which of HIS lines? Connecticut? 601 and a few others, OK. And to be honest, 601 Conn is by far my least favorite to the point that I do not buy any. Precisely because of lack of taste.

Read Pepin's recent interview, he clearly states that his ultimate cigar would be 50/50 Cuban and Nic tobacco. Any wonder that another recent ex-pat, Fernandez, ALSO settled in Nicaragua and makes cigars there? And Pepin's partner in tobacco farms they own in Nicaragua, ALSO a Cuban ex-pat. I do not believe in coincidences.

But Ecuador and Cameroon? They look different and taste different. Especially from CAO, who couldn't produce a full bodied smoke if their lifes depended on that, at least none by now. You could play all you want with non-Cuban/Nic tobacco, it won'd deliver full body. Yeah, I know some will point to the likes of LFD and all I can say is that I do not believe they are 100% Dominican tobacco no matter what is being claimed.

Anyway...

Pepin uses Ecuadorian wrappers in a few of his blends including Cubao made for 601 which is a Ecuadorian Oscuro and the Cabaiguan made for Pete Johnson which is Connecticut seed grown in Ecuador. Also I think its interesting that the Cabaiguan is the cigar that's most identified with having a Cuban-esque profile. And what does full bodied have to do with it. I certainly don't think full bodied smokes when it comes to Cuban tobacco. Full of flavor and complex, yes, but as far as nicotine goes I've never gotten the impression that they were full bodied save for maybe a few vitolas here and there.

The point is that just because CAO is doing it doesn't mean its a gimmick. Just because they use a wrapper from Ecuador doesn't mean it can't have a Cuban-esque profile. And, lastly, just because CAO isn't owned and operated by Cuban ex-pats doesn't mean they can't do it either.

[thebiglebowski]

Originally Posted by scoot

The point is that just because CAO is doing it doesn't mean its a gimmick.

i disagree. the very fact that CAO is doing it, almost by defintion, makes it a gimmick. CAO - great marketers, mediocre cigar makers. just my opinion, man...

[weak_link]

Originally Posted by scoot

Also I think its interesting that the Cabaiguan is the cigar that's most identified with having a Cuban-esque profile.

I totally disagree with this. I don't think they taste Cuban at all.

Anyway, yay for CAO. They're not really my thing but hope they do well.

[scoot]

Originally Posted by weak_link

I totally disagree with this. I don't think they taste Cuban at all.

Anyway, yay for CAO. They're not really my thing but hope they do well.

Yeah, I suppose everyone's tastes vary, but in all the blind taste tests I've seen its the cigar that most consistently gets misidentified as being of Cuban origin.

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by TheRiddick

Well, all I can say is that if a Nicaraguan Puro is advertised as "Cuban" in profile, I can see that, same soil and climate. Take a look at Nic ashes as you smoke one, same magnesium content and all.

Not true at all, my friend. Cuba originated around where Hawaii is now. The soil is alltogether different.

It's not that everyone is commenting on CAO having a different blend cigar, it's that it's packaging is "normal". That is abnormal for CAO.

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by NCRadioMan

Not true at all, my friend. Cuba originated around where Hawaii is now. The soil is alltogether different.

But it is as close as it gets.

[macpappy]

Originally Posted by NCRadioMan

Not true at all, my friend. Cuba originated around where Hawaii is now. The soil is alltogether different.

Explain please