C.A.O. La Traviata radiante

Don Fernando · 11-21-2010, 06:39 AM

I never liked any C.A.O. cigar until I smoked my first C.A.O. La Traviata. That was a Divino and I liked it a lot. A friend gave me this cellophane wrapped Radiante, 6 inch long with a ring of 52. The cigar has a filler from Nicaraguan and Dominican filler, a Cameroon binder with an Ecuadorian habano wrapper.

The Ecuadorian habano wrapper has a leathery look and is dark, shiny and oily with a few veins. The band is simple yet tasteful. The construction feels good. The cigar has a strong barnyard smell. The predraw is good and I taste a spicy and full raisin flavor.

I get a strong coffee flavor, mild spicy and peppery. The coffee slowly changes into wood with a little bit of chocolate. After an inch the wood is dominant with a herbal spice and the chocolate disappeared. Halfway the structure of the flavors is mild creamy and the chocolate returns, the wood and herbs are still there.

After two thirds I still taste the wood and herbs, but now with a sweetness and some pepper on the back of my throat. The wood slowly fades away, just like the sweetness. All I taste are herbs, spicy but not peppery anymore.

This cigar lasted me for a long time, an hour and fifty minutes. I got a lot of medium thick smoke. The draw and the burn are good. The light colored ash is firm. The cigar is full flavored and medium to full bodied.

Would I buy this cigar again? Without a doubt

Appearance: 8 / 10
Construction: 8 / 10
Draw: 8 / 10
Burn: 7 / 10
Smoke & ash: 7 / 10
Aroma first part: 8 / 10
Aroma second part: 8 / 10
Aroma third part: 7 / 10

Ogre · 11-21-2010, 07:44 AM

I agree brother, it is a great smoke.

Montano · 11-21-2010, 07:56 AM

I enjoy these as well

tenbaseg · 11-21-2010, 08:54 AM

This was the first CAO that I didn't pitch. I just picked up a maduro to try. Hopefully that will impress as well.

bishjd123 · 11-21-2010, 08:57 AM

I liked the original; the maduro not so much.

area51 · 11-21-2010, 09:02 AM

Loving the La Traviata right now.

kelmac07 · 11-21-2010, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bishjd123

I liked the original; the maduro not so much.

X2

Great review Ferdie!!

boom · 11-21-2010, 09:50 AM

I love these..... Can;t wait to try the maduro... Great Review!!!

Don Fernando · 11-21-2010, 10:28 AM

I liked the maduro too

11-21-2010, 10:38 AM

I must be a slow smoker, the Divino lasted two hours for me. I think your tasting notes are spot on.

docdoty · 11-21-2010, 11:06 AM

I love this stick thanks for the review.

Don Fernando · 11-21-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan King

I must be a slow smoker, the Divino lasted two hours for me. I think your tasting notes are spot on.

one hour and fifty minutes is only ten minutes shorter than two hours. Not that much of a difference.

Skywalker · 11-21-2010, 11:42 AM

Sweet review!!!

Agreed! These are a good smoke!

I didn't not like the maduro, not sure if I liked it more that the orginal.

dwoodward · 11-21-2010, 03:58 PM

Have not had one of these yet.

Ferdie, what do you think of the Brazilia and the Italia?

Ferrari5180 · 11-21-2010, 05:55 PM

Thank you for the review Ferdie. Personally, I like almost everything that CAO rolls. I have had the pleasure of smoking the Brazilia, Italia, L'Anniversaire Cameroon, MX2 and Traviata and have liked them all. However, my two favorites have to be the La Traviata and the L'Anniversaire Cameroon.

11-21-2010, 06:11 PM

i am yet to try this as i have just recently heard about this stick. after this review i will try this without a doubt. great review. i have to agree with ferrari, i have enjoyed everything i have had from CAO. with my favorites being the LX2 and the MX2. again great review!

Bill86 · 11-21-2010, 06:36 PM

Glad you finally found a CAO you liked, I've yet to be impressed by them. We'll see though, that one looks very different then their usual offerings.

Oh yeah and great review as always Ferdie

Don Fernando · 11-21-2010, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwoodward

Have not had one of these yet.

Ferdie, what do you think of the Brazilia and the Italia?

Yuck

MedicCook · 11-21-2010, 10:50 PM

Thanks for the review Ferdie. These are excellent cigars and I love the economy price on them.

warren G. · 11-22-2010, 01:35 AM

Great review, I'm actually going light one up tomorrow.

11-21-2010, 06:39 AM	#1
Don Fernando Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ferdinand Location: Singapore Posts: 10,070 Trading: (29)	C.A.O. La Traviata radiante I never liked any C.A.O. cigar until I smoked my first C.A.O. La Traviata. That was a Divino and I liked it a lot. A friend gave me this cellophane wrapped Radiante, 6 inch long with a ring of 52. The cigar has a filler from Nicaraguan and Dominican filler, a Cameroon binder with an Ecuadorian habano wrapper. The Ecuadorian habano wrapper has a leathery look and is dark, shiny and oily with a few veins. The band is simple yet tasteful. The construction feels good. The cigar has a strong barnyard smell. The predraw is good and I taste a spicy and full raisin flavor. I get a strong coffee flavor, mild spicy and peppery. The coffee slowly changes into wood with a little bit of chocolate. After an inch the wood is dominant with a herbal spice and the chocolate disappeared. Halfway the structure of the flavors is mild creamy and the chocolate returns, the wood and herbs are still there. After two thirds I still taste the wood and herbs, but now with a sweetness and some pepper on the back of my throat. The wood slowly fades away, just like the sweetness. All I taste are herbs, spicy but not peppery anymore. This cigar lasted me for a long time, an hour and fifty minutes. I got a lot of medium thick smoke. The draw and the burn are good. The light colored ash is firm. The cigar is full flavored and medium to full bodied. Would I buy this cigar again? Without a doubt Appearance: 8 / 10 Construction: 8 / 10 Draw: 8 / 10 Burn: 7 / 10 Smoke & ash: 7 / 10 Aroma first part: 8 / 10 Aroma second part: 8 / 10 Aroma third part: 7 / 10 __________________ check out my reviews on my blog.

11-21-2010, 07:44 AM	#2
Ogre **CENSORED** Join Date: Apr 2010 First Name: Larry Location: Central Florida Posts: 12,068 Trading: (46)	Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante I agree brother, it is a great smoke.

11-21-2010, 07:56 AM	#3
Montano Bourbon IS a food group Join Date: Nov 2009 First Name: Nick Location: Central Cali Posts: 2,059 Trading: (33)	Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante I enjoy these as well __________________

11-21-2010, 08:54 AM	#4
tenbaseg Saying no to daily deals! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Garrett Location: Masshole Nation Posts: 1,094 Trading: (40)	Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante This was the first CAO that I didn't pitch. I just picked up a maduro to try. Hopefully that will impress as well.

11-21-2010, 08:57 AM	#5
bishjd123 Have a Smoke and a Smile Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Jeff Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 196 Trading: (16)	Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante I liked the original; the maduro not so much.

11-21-2010, 09:02 AM	#6
area51 Blowing Smoke Rings Join Date: Sep 2010 First Name: Ken Location: Tejas Posts: 1,259 Trading: (3)	Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante Loving the La Traviata right now. __________________

11-21-2010, 09:50 AM	#8
boom Central Cali Cigar Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Troy Location: Cen Cal Posts: 1,659 Trading: (107)	Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante I love these..... Can;t wait to try the maduro... Great Review!!!

11-21-2010, 10:28 AM	#9
Don Fernando Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ferdinand Location: Singapore Posts: 10,070 Trading: (29)	Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante I liked the maduro too __________________ check out my reviews on my blog.

11-21-2010, 10:38 AM	#10
Nathan King Guest Posts: n/a	Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante I must be a slow smoker, the Divino lasted two hours for me. I think your tasting notes are spot on.

11-21-2010, 11:06 AM	#11
docdoty Cigars & Guns...what else Join Date: Oct 2010 First Name: Justin Location: Homer, mi Posts: 429 Trading: (8)	Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante I love this stick thanks for the review. __________________ Enjoy what you smoke, and Smoke what you enjoy

11-21-2010, 11:42 AM	#13
Skywalker BABOTL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dice Location: Galaxy Far Far Away Posts: 10,168 Trading: (18)	Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante Sweet review!!! Agreed! These are a good smoke! I didn't not like the maduro, not sure if I liked it more that the orginal. __________________ Smoke what you like!!!

11-21-2010, 03:58 PM	#14
dwoodward Gentlemen, you may smoke! Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Derrick Location: South Dakota Posts: 1,868 Trading: (26)	Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante Have not had one of these yet. Ferdie, what do you think of the Brazilia and the Italia?

11-21-2010, 05:55 PM	#15
Ferrari5180 Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 433 Trading: (0)	Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante Thank you for the review Ferdie. Personally, I like almost everything that CAO rolls. I have had the pleasure of smoking the Brazilia, Italia, L'Anniversaire Cameroon, MX2 and Traviata and have liked them all. However, my two favorites have to be the La Traviata and the L'Anniversaire Cameroon.

11-21-2010, 06:11 PM	#16
lyle23 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante i am yet to try this as i have just recently heard about this stick. after this review i will try this without a doubt. great review. i have to agree with ferrari, i have enjoyed everything i have had from CAO. with my favorites being the LX2 and the MX2. again great review!

11-21-2010, 06:36 PM	#17
Bill86 Snob Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Bill Posts: 6,704 Trading: (67)	Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante Glad you finally found a CAO you liked, I've yet to be impressed by them. We'll see though, that one looks very different then their usual offerings. Oh yeah and great review as always Ferdie

11-21-2010, 10:50 PM	#19
MedicCook Mila smoked my cigar Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Ryan Location: Schaghticoke, NY Posts: 10,946 Trading: (7)	Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante Thanks for the review Ferdie. These are excellent cigars and I love the economy price on them. __________________ 27 World Series Championship's "If your wife doesn't like the aroma of your cigar, change your wife.", Zino Davidoff

11-22-2010, 01:35 AM	#20
warren G. Also a WIS. Join Date: Jun 2010 First Name: Duy Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 209 Trading: (2)	Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante Great review, I'm actually going light one up tomorrow. __________________ "After a truly good meal, an outstanding cigar is still the most satisfying after-dinner activity that doesn't involve two human beings."