CAO La Traviata Favorito

CAO International, Inc. was founded in 1973 by Cano A. Ozgener (hence the CAO in their name) and produces of one of the world’s top lines of premium cigars and cigar accessories. Their famous Meerschaum pipes are smoked by presidents, senators and other dignitaries. La Traviata is an old Cuban brand, and an even older three act Italian opera by Giuseppe Verdi. Just like the opera, this smoke is a showstopper. Inside, you’ll find Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos secured by a zesty Cameroon binder and finished with a beautiful Ecuadorian Havana wrapper. Perfectly balanced, this medium bodied smoke has notes of spice, nuts, and dark chocolate. Not only did our panel love this smoke, but so did Cigar Aficionado, who not only gave it a well deserved rating of 93 but placed it among their Top 25 of the Year list not once but twice! So sit back and relax and pair it with your favorite Single Malt.

The Nicaraguan cigar industry originated when Cuban cigar makers escaped the revolution and re-established their livelihood in Nicaragua with Cuban-seed tobacco. Blessed with dark, rich soil, their new home was ideal for tobacco cultivation and Nicaragua quickly became known for cigars that rivaled Cuban quality. Unfortunately, revolution and war came to Nicaragua in the 1980s and devastated the industry, but it’s rebounded dramatically and is once again producing tobacco considered by many to be the finest in the world.

The Esteli Valley is in many ways the heart of Nicaraguan production and is known for its very powerful and spicy tobacco. The Jalapa Valley produces arguably the finest tobacco in the country: somewhat sweeter and less intense than Esteli, but extremely complex. The tobacco of the Condega Valley is often described as a blend of the other two regions.