CAO Brazilia Lambada Toro Staff Review
Summer has arrived and outdoor cigar smoking is now in full swing. For today’s review I am smoking the Honduran-crafted CAO Brazilia in a 6 x 50 shape called the Lambada. CAO is a brand that emerged out of Nashville, Tennessee during the Cigar Boom of the 1990s.
CAO is named for the initials of its founder, Cano A. Ozgener, an engineer who was well-known for his work with Meerschaum pipes. Cano Ozgener’s children, Tim and Alyin, assisted in growing CAO as a premium brand through the mid-2000s. The company achieved a solid momentum with edgy advertising campaigns and several notable ratings of 90 points or more in Cigar Aficionado. Some of the earliest CAO blends were created by cigar-makers from brands like La Aurora, Perdomo, and Bahia.
CAO has appeared seven times in Cigar Aficionado’s annual ‘Top 25’ list. In 2007, the Ozgener family sold the brand to General Cigar Company. Today, CAO remains a key brand in General’s portfolio of premium cigars alongside Macanudo and Cohiba.
CAO Brazilia has been around for nearly 20 years and still ranks as one of the brand’s top sellers. Brazilia is named for the cigar’s dark and commanding cover leaf, a gorgeous Brazilian wrapper with an enticing and toothy luster. Beneath it lies a blend of Nicaraguan long-fillers. The tobaccos combine to deliver a well-rounded medium-bodied smoke.
Subtle hints of anise and maple sugar emerge from a sniff of the cigar’s unlit foot. After a clean V-cut and a thorough light, a heavy dose of black pepper and leather is prevalent once the cigar starts to warm up. The traditional 6 x 50 shape of the Lambada is well-constructed with minimal veins and a smooth texture. The cigar doesn’t require much work to maintain a cool draw and a clean burn.
During the second third, the cigar’s spicier tendencies recede while its sweeter notes accumulate. Notes of anise and maple sugar continue to characterize the profile. The final third doesn’t offer much transition, in terms of flavor, and the finish lands on the flat side. CAO Brazilia may not tip the scales with its overall impression, but it also doesn’t offend the senses. Brazilia is a solid choice for those in search of dark earthy taste with an ample sweetness and a consistent, although less complex, finish.
At Holt’s, we carry all the top CAO blends. The CAO Champions II Sampler is a great assortment to consider if you’re curious about the brand’s portfolio. Several popular cigars are represented like CAO Cameroon, CAO Gold, CAO MX2, and of course, CAO Brazilia. Check our daily deals for the best prices on CAO you will find anywhere. We regularly toss in a freebie or two when we run a sale on the bestselling CAO boxes.
Give CAO Brazilia a shot if you haven’t smoked one yet. The blend is an easy addition if you’re a fan of the brand’s series of World cigars like CAO America, Colombia, Italia, and Nicaragua. CAO Brazilia Lambada is well-made, affordable, and offers enough flair and quality to put a smile on your face. Enjoy!
