Embarking on a transformative journey from its humble beginnings in the realm of pipe tobacco to ascending the echelons of premium cigar craftsmanship, CAO Cigars epitomizes the pioneering spirit and relentless pursuit of quality that has captivated cigar aficionados worldwide. This narrative delves into the tapestry of innovation, tradition, and excellence that CAO has woven over the decades, becoming a beacon in the handmade cigar industry.
The Genesis of a Global Brand
The CAO legacy commenced in the vibrant landscape of pipe tobacco, where Cano Ozgener’s ingenuity and passion for tobacco craftsmanhip first shone. However, it was the foray into the world of cigars that marked the inception of a legend. Ozgener, an engineer by training, infused CAO cigars with a meticulous attention to detail and a relentless pursuit of quality, setting the stage for a brand that would soon be celebrated in over 60 countries for its impressive portfolio of 90+ rated cigars.
The Architect of CAO: Cano Ozgener
The foundation of CAO is indelibly linked to the vision of its founder, Cano A. Ozgener, whose journey from engineering to tobacco virtuoso underscores the brand's ethos of innovation. With a lineage tracing back to the design of meerschaum pipes and the crafting of humidors, Ozgener's transition into cigar production during the 1990s cigar boom was both a bold move and a natural progression. His commitment to quality and his flair for branding propelled CAO cigars to prominence, with Ozgener and his progeny at the helm, navigating the brand through the burgeoning premium market.
The Evolution of CAO
From its early successes with the CAO Maduro and CAO Cameroon to the thematic brilliance of CAO Brazilia and beyond, CAO’s product line has always reflected a fusion of tradition and innovation. The brand’s foray into flavored cigars with the CAO Flavours line showcased its versatility, offering aficionados a spectrum of subtle, real flavors that complemented the robust profiles of its core offerings. Each blend in CAO’s repertoire, from the mellow CAO Gold to the bold and meaty CAO Flathead, is a testament to the brand’s ability to cater to a diverse palate, earning accolades and the adoration of cigar lovers around the globe.
A New Chapter Under General Cigar Co.
The acquisition of CAO by Scandinavian Tobacco and its subsequent incorporation into the General Cigar Company portfolio marked a new chapter in the brand’s storied history. This transition not only expanded CAO’s distribution capabilities but also invigorated the brand with new resources to innovate and grow. The launch of contemporary lines such as CAO La Traviata and CAO Flathead under General Cigar's stewardship highlighted CAO's enduring appeal and its ability to resonate with both traditionalists and modern aficionados.
CAO Cigars
CAO Amazon Basin: A unique and exotic offering, the CAO Amazon Basin utilizes rare Amazonian tobacco alongside other premium fillers. This medium to full-bodied cigar delivers a complex blend of earthy flavors with a hint of natural sweetness, creating a truly one-of-a-kind smoking experience.
CAO America: Celebrating the spirit of the USA, the CAO America features a distinctive pinstripe double wrapper of Connecticut Broadleaf and Connecticut Shade. This full-bodied cigar offers a rich, smooth smoking experience with notes of chocolate, leather, and coffee.
CAO Arcana Firewalker: Drawing inspiration from traditional Nicaraguan tobacco fermentation methods, the CAO Arcana Firewalker showcases a deeply flavorful profile. This medium to full-bodied cigar presents a balanced mix of spice, sweetness, and earthy undertones for a memorable smoke.
CAO Bella Vanilla: Part of the CAO Flavours line, Bella Vanilla is infused with the essence of Madagascar vanilla beans. This mild, aromatic cigar offers a creamy, smooth smoke with a delightful vanilla flavor that doesn't overpower the natural tobacco taste.
CAO Black: An early hallmark of the CAO portfolio, CAO Black is a mild to medium-bodied cigar known for its smooth, consistent draw and rich flavor profile. Wrapped in an Ecuador Connecticut shade, it delivers notes of cedar, cream, and a hint of spice.
CAO Bones: Inspired by the camaraderie of a good game of dominoes, CAO Bones is a medium to full-bodied cigar that blends tobaccos from four countries. It offers a rich tapestry of flavors, including dark chocolate, nuts, and hints of vanilla.
CAO Brazilia: A tribute to the vibrant culture and traditions of Brazil, CAO Brazilia features a dark, oily Brazilian wrapper. This full-bodied smoke is robust and flavorful, with deep notes of pepper, earth, and a touch of sweetness.
CAO BX3: BX3 stands for Brazil times three,
featuring tobaccos from Brazil in the filler, binder, and wrapper. This medium to full-bodied cigar offers a layered smoking experience with a bold blend of coffee, chocolate, and spice flavors.
CAO Colombia: Showcasing the smooth and mild tobaccos of Colombia, this medium-bodied cigar offers a unique profile with notes of nuts, coffee, and a subtle sweetness. It's an approachable, well-balanced smoke that's perfect for any time of day.
CAO Cameroon: Celebrating the renowned Cameroon wrapper, this medium-bodied cigar delivers a rich yet smooth experience. Its flavor profile includes notes of cedar, spice, and a pleasant sweetness, making it a favorite among aficionados for its balanced complexity.
CAO Cherrybomb: Another favorite from the CAO Flavours line, Cherrybomb explodes with flavors of cherry and black currant, tempered by a creamy core of vanilla. This aromatic cigar is mild, offering a sweetly nuanced smoke that's both enjoyable and refreshing.
CAO Consigliere: A bold tribute to the power and intrigue of the mafia, CAO Consigliere features a complex blend of tobaccos from Nicaragua, Colombia, and Honduras, wrapped in a Brazilian Mata Fina leaf. This medium to full-bodied cigar delivers rich flavors of earth, spice, and dark fruits.
CAO Eileen's Dream: From the CAO Flavours collection, Eileen's Dream combines Irish cream and white chocolate truffles into a smooth smoking experience. This mild cigar offers an intriguing mix of sweet creaminess and a hint of cocoa and nuts, enveloped in a Cameroon wrapper.
CAO Extreme: Living up to its name, CAO Extreme is a full-bodied cigar that pushes the limits of strength and flavor. Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers, along with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, deliver a robust, complex smoke with notes of espresso, leather, and a peppery finish.
CAO Fasa Sol: The counterpart to Fasa Noche, CAO Fasa Sol is a sun-blessed, medium-bodied cigar with a vibrant flavor profile. Expect a harmonious blend of sweetness and spice, alongside notes of cedar and nuts, making it a perfect choice for daytime enjoyment.
CAO Flathead: Inspired by classic American muscle cars, CAO Flathead is a box-pressed, full-bodied cigar with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. It offers a robust blend of flavors, including dark chocolate, black pepper, and coffee, making it a hit with aficionados seeking a strong, flavorful smoke.
CAO Flathead Steel Horse: An extension of the Flathead line, Steel Horse features a unique bullet shape and a blend geared towards motorcycle enthusiasts. This medium to full-bodied cigar delivers a smooth ride of cocoa, leather, and earthy notes, wrapped in a Connecticut Habano Oscuro leaf.
CAO Flathead V21: Continuing the tradition of the V19, the Flathead V21 offers an even more refined and intense smoking experience. This full-bodied cigar is crafted for the seasoned aficionado, delivering complex notes of espresso, dark chocolate, and a peppery finish.
CAO Flathead V23: The latest in the V series, the Flathead V23 pushes the boundaries of flavor and strength. This ultra-full-bodied cigar is not for the faint of heart, offering a potent mix of spice, wood, and a lingering sweetness that captivates from start to finish.
CAO Flavours: A collection that showcases CAO's expertise in flavored cigars, CAO Flavours offers a variety of aromatic experiences. From the creamy Bella Vanilla to the exotic Moontrance, each cigar is crafted with real flavors that complement, rather than overpower, the tobacco's natural taste.
CAO Gold: A cornerstone of the CAO portfolio, CAO Gold is a smooth, mild to medium-bodied cigar that’s perfect for any level of cigar enthusiast. Its blend of Nicaraguan fillers and an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper delivers creamy, velvety notes of cedar and almonds.
CAO Gold Cigarillos: Bringing the renowned CAO Gold blend to a smaller format, these cigarillos are perfect for those seeking a quick, yet satisfying smoke. Expect the same smooth and creamy flavors, packed into a convenient, petite size.
CAO Gold Honey: Another gem from the CAO Flavours line, Gold Honey infuses premium tobacco with the essence of orange blossom honey. This mild cigarillo offers a sweet, nuanced smoke with hints of citrus and the natural richness of honey.
CAO Gold Maduro: A darker take on the original CAO Gold, the Gold Maduro wraps the same smooth blend in a rich, oily Maduro wrapper. This medium-bodied cigar adds a layer of sweetness and depth, with flavors of cocoa, coffee, and a hint of spice.
CAO Italia: A unique blend that incorporates Italian-grown tobacco in the filler, CAO Italia is a medium to full-bodied cigar that delivers a distinct and memorable smoking experience with rich notes of earth, leather, and a hint of spicy sweetness.
CAO L'Anniversaire Cameroon: Celebrating the brand's anniversary, this medium-bodied cigar features a genuine African Cameroon wrapper. It offers a smooth and complex flavor profile with notes of coffee, spice, and a natural sweetness that aficionados have come to love.
CAO L'Anniversaire Maduro: Part of the same anniversary series, the Maduro version presents a darker, richer experience. Wrapped in a well-aged Connecticut Broadleaf, it delivers deep flavors of chocolate, coffee, and spice, all while maintaining a smooth finish.
CAO LX2: Standing for Ligero times two,
the LX2 boasts a potent blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican ligero tobaccos, encased in a Nicaraguan wrapper. This full-bodied cigar is known for its robust and spicy flavor profile, with undertones of wood and earth.
CAO Moontrance: From the CAO Flavours line, Moontrance is a flavored cigar that blends exotic fruit and bourbon vanilla extracts. Its unique flavor profile is both sweet and intriguing, offering a mild and aromatic smoking experience.
CAO Mortal Coil: A part of the CAO Arcana series, Mortal Coil utilizes Andullo tobacco in its blend, offering a distinctive and complex smoking experience. Medium to full-bodied, it delivers rich flavors of earth, spice, and a touch of sweetness, all wrapped in a dark and oily wrapper.
CAO Mx2: Featuring a maduro times two
concept with both a Brazilian maduro wrapper and a Connecticut Broadleaf maduro binder, this full-bodied cigar offers layers of rich, dark chocolate and spice, complemented by a smooth, creamy finish.
CAO Nicaragua: Highlighting the best of Nicaraguan tobacco, this medium to full-bodied cigar showcases fillers from three different Nicaraguan regions, wrapped in a Honduran leaf. It delivers a balanced mix of spice, earth, and a subtle sweetness.
CAO OSA Sol: Named after the Olancho, San Agustín valley, where its wrapper is sourced, the OSA Sol is a medium-bodied cigar with a unique flavor profile of earth, pepper, and a bright, tangy sweetness that makes for a refreshing smoking experience.
CAO Orellana: Another release in the CAO Amazon series, Orellana features rare Amazonian tobaccos with a Brazilian wrapper. This full-bodied blend is complex and flavorful, with notes of spice, floral, and a deep, earthy richness.
CAO Pilon: Utilizing a traditional Cuban pilón fermentation process, this cigar has a rich, smooth profile. Medium-bodied, it delivers flavors of cocoa, nuts, and a hint of spice, wrapped in an Ecuadorian Habano leaf.
CAO Pilon Anejo: Building on the success of the original Pilon, the Anejo version ages its tobaccos even longer for a more profound flavor experience. Expect a full-bodied smoke with enhanced notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and a bold, spicy finish.
CAO Session: Designed to be the perfect session
cigar, this medium to full-bodied blend from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua provides a rich, satisfying smoke with balanced notes of leather, sweet spice, and coffee.
CAO Signature Series: A limited edition offering that brings together the best of CAO's craftsmanship. This series is known for its sophisticated blends, delivering a premium smoking experience with complexity and depth.
CAO Steel Horse: An extension of the Flathead line, the Steel Horse targets motorcycle enthusiasts with its bold flavors and unique bullet-shaped head. Medium to full-bodied, it delivers a rugged blend of leather, oak, and spice.
CAO Vision: A reimagined favorite, Vision features a rare Dominican blend encased in a Cameroon wrapper, offering a luxurious medium to full-bodied experience with notes of cream, nuts, and a gentle sweetness.
CAO Zocalo: Celebrating Mexican culture, Zocalo is a limited edition cigar with a Mexican San Andrés wrapper. It's a medium to full-bodied smoke that stands out with its rich, earthy flavors and a peppery kick.
CAO Today: A Legacy of Excellence
Today, CAO stands as a paragon of excellence in the cigar industry, a brand that continually sets benchmarks for quality and creativity. With a portfolio that spans the spectrum from the smooth sophistication of the CAO Gold to the intricate depth of the CAO Brazilia, CAO maintains its commitment to offering unparalleled smoking experiences. The brand’s innovation extends to its flavored cigars, where the CAO Flavours line offers a gourmet selection that challenges preconceptions about flavored cigars, proving that real, nuanced flavors can elevate the smoking experience.
The story of CAO is more than just a chronicle of cigars; it's a narrative of the relentless pursuit of excellence, of tradition blending with innovation, and of a brand that has etched its name into the hearts of cigar enthusiasts worldwide. From its pipe tobacco origins to its ascension as a luminary in premium cigars, CAO embodies the spirit of craftsmanship, the joy of exploration, and the bond that cigars forge among those who appreciate the finer things in life. As CAO continues to innovate and inspire, it remains a beacon for aficionados seeking the ultimate in smoking pleasure, a testament to the vision of Cano Ozgener and the legacy of quality he bequeathed to the world of cigars.
