AshMap
CAO — Heritage & History
CAO Cigars was founded in 1968 by Cano A. Ozgener, a Turkish-American engineer who turned his passion for cigar making into a boutique operation in Nashville, Tennessee. The brand initially gained cult status for its innovative use of exotic wrappers, most notably African Cameroon and Brazilian Mata Fina, long before these leaves became industry staples. In 2006, General Cigar Company (now part of Scandinavian Tobacco Group) acquired CAO, transitioning production to large-scale factories in Estelí, Nicaragua, Danlí, Honduras, and Santiago, Dominican Republic. Despite the shift, CAO retained its adventurous spirit, releasing limited-edition blends like the Amazon Basin—made with rare Brazilian Bragança tobacco harvested from the Amazon floodplain. Today, CAO is recognized as a pioneer of flavor-forward, boundary-pushing cigars, respected for both its accessibility and its willingness to experiment with unconventional tobaccos and fermentation techniques.
Blending Philosophy
CAO’s blending philosophy centers on creative fusion and global tobacco sourcing. Rather than adhering to a single house style, the brand treats each blend as an independent exploration—pairing rare wrappers like African Cameroon, Brazilian Arapiraca, or Italian wine-cured Maduro with complementary binders and fillers from Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. This approach yields a portfolio of distinctly different cigars, from the earthy, sweet Brazilia to the peppery, bold Flathead series. CAO is distinctive for its willingness to take risks: seasonal releases, experimental maduro processes, and collaborations with vitolas that prioritize texture and balance over convention.
Flavor Profile
CAO’s signature flavor profile varies widely by line, but common threads include rich, dark-fruit sweetness, cocoa, and earth, often layered with black pepper and cedar. The Brazilia and Amazon Basin express deep, nutty Brazilian terroir with hints of molasses and leather, while the Flathead series brings espresso, dark chocolate, and smoky char from Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro. Lighter offerings like the Gold and Cameroon lines present creamy cedar, honey, and mild baking spice. Across the range, medium to medium-full body dominates, with an emphasis on smooth, accessible complexity rather than raw power.
Best for Beginners
The CAO Gold Torpedo is an ideal starting point. Its Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper yields a mild-to-medium profile of creamy cedar, light honey, and gentle toast. The torpedo shape offers an easy draw, and the $8–$12 price point is forgiving. It delivers classic, approachable flavor without overwhelming a newcomer’s palate.
CAO Cigar Lineup
Explore 31 CAO cigars in the AshMap encyclopedia:
- Amazon Basin Toro — Toro, Medium-Full · $14–$18 per cigar
- Brazilia Gol! — Torpedo, Medium · $9–$13 per cigar
- CAO America — Toro, Medium-Full · $10–$13 per cigar
- CAO Brazilia — Torpedo, Medium-Full · $10–$14 per cigar
- CAO Criollo Pato — Torpedo, Medium-Full · $8–$11 per cigar
- CAO Flathead — Gordo, Medium-Full · $10–$14 per cigar
- CAO Flathead V660 Engine (Gordo) — Gordo, Medium-Full · $10–$14 per cigar
- CAO Flathead V660 Engine Gordo — Gordo, Medium-Full · $12–$16 per cigar
- CAO Gold — Torpedo, Mild-Medium · $8–$12 per cigar
- CAO Itaca — Toro, Medium · $10–$14 per cigar
- CAO La Traviata — Torpedo, Medium-Full · $9–$13 per cigar
- CAO Maduro — Toro, Medium-Full · $9–$13 per cigar
- CAO Mx2 — Toro, Medium-Full · $10–$14 per cigar
- CAO Vision — Toro, Medium-Full · $10–$14 per cigar
- Cameroon Robusto — Robusto, Mild-Medium · $8–$12 per cigar
- Cameroon Toro — Toro, Mild-Medium · $10–$14 per cigar
- Cao America Potomac — Torpedo, Medium-Full · $10–$14 per cigar
- Cao Brazilia Gol! — Torpedo, Medium-Full · $9–$13 per cigar
- Cao Cameroon Robusto — Robusto, Medium · $9–$13 per cigar
- Cao Cameroon Toro — Toro, Medium · $10–$14 per cigar
- Cao Consigliere Associate — Robusto, Medium-Full · $9–$12 per cigar
- Cao Italia Ciao Torpedo — Torpedo, Mild-Medium · $9–$13 per cigar
- Consigliere Associate — Robusto, Medium-Full · $9–$12 per cigar
- Flathead V554 Piston — Robusto, Medium-Full · $10–$13 per cigar
- Flathead V660 Big Block — Gordo, Medium-Full · $12–$16 per cigar
- Flathead V660 Engine Gordo — Gordo, Medium-Full · $12–$16 per cigar
- Gold Robusto — Robusto, Mild-Medium · $8–$12 per cigar
- Gold Toro — Toro, Mild-Medium · $8–$12 per cigar
- Italia Ciao — Torpedo, Medium · $9–$13 per cigar
- Italia Novella — Toro, Medium · $10–$14 per cigar
- MX2 Toro — Toro, Medium-Full · $10–$14 per cigar
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are CAO cigars made?
CAO cigars are primarily produced in Estelí, Nicaragua (General Cigar’s NACSA factory), Danlí, Honduras (General Cigar’s HATSA factory), and Santiago, Dominican Republic (General Cigar’s STG La Romana factory). The specific origin depends on the blend.
What is CAO known for?
CAO is known for innovative use of rare wrappers—especially African Cameroon and Brazilian Mata Fina—and for adventurous limited releases like the Amazon Basin. The brand balances accessibility with bold, flavor-forward blends that often push traditional boundaries.
Are CAO cigars strong?
Most CAO cigars fall in the medium to medium-full strength range. The Brazilia, Flathead, and Mx2 lines lean fuller, while the Gold and Cameroon series are milder. No core CAO blend is typically considered ultra-strong.
What is the best CAO cigar for beginners?
The CAO Gold Torpedo is the best beginner choice. Its Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper delivers mild, creamy flavors of cedar and honey at a reasonable $8–$12 price. It offers a gentle introduction to premium cigars.
How much do CAO cigars cost?
CAO cigars range from about $8 to $18 per cigar. Most core lines—like the Brazilia, La Traviata, and Maduro—cost $9–$14. Limited editions such as the Amazon Basin can reach $14–$18.
What wrapper does CAO use?
CAO uses an extensive variety of wrappers, including Brazilian Arapiraca, Brazilian Mata Fina, Brazilian Bragança (Amazon Basin), African Cameroon, Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro, Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade, Ecuadorian Habano, Mexican San Andrés Maduro, Nicaraguan Habano, and Italian wine-cured Maduro.
Are CAO cigars Cuban?
No, CAO cigars are not Cuban. They are handcrafted in Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic by General Cigar Company, a subsidiary of Scandinavian Tobacco Group. CAO is an American-founded brand with no Cuban production.
Where can I buy CAO cigars?
CAO cigars are widely available at authorized brick-and-mortar tobacconists, major online cigar retailers (e.g., Cigars International, Famous Smoke Shop), and through General Cigar’s distribution network. Check local laws for shipping restrictions.