CAO Amazon Basin Toro by CAO Cigars (General Cigar)

05/05/2021
COVID-19 Day 409
I just read that only 2000 boxes were produced of the CAO Amazon Basin cigar and CAO hints that once these are gone, they’re gone. The tobacco used in this blend is too rare, expensive, and labor-intensive. The story goes that the cigar tobaccos in this CAO release are grown in the Amazon rainforest and only grow once every three years. General Cigar reports that they were only able to get their hands on 5,000 pounds of this rare Bragança tobacco.

So, that means that the last remaining two of the CAO Amazon Basins in my possession will be cherished because everywhere I look, they’re sold out.

No doubt that I savored this exquisite and delicious cigar today at one of my often-frequented cigar lounges… Earthy, Creamy, Sweet Cocoa, Coffee, and Leather. Toward the last third, there was a “different” sweet/fruity flavor that joined the party that I had never experienced before. Some reviewers are calling this a “Grape Jam” type of flavor, and I just might agree with them.

Well, maybe I pull out another next year to enjoy… Stay Tuned

Stay Smoky
Stay Chill

12/10/2020
COVID-19 Cigar Walk, Day 264: 3.0-Mile Cigar

06/27/2020
COVID-19 Cigar Walk, Day 97: 3.0-Mile Cigar
It’s been a while, but I finally got around to purchasing a 5-pack of the CAO Amazon Basin in Toro by CAO Cigars (General Cigar). I hadn’t smoked this in over a year, but I remembered that I liked it so… for today’s Cigar-Walk… the Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapped Amazon Basin.

Once I got started on my short trek this morning, I noticed something different in the tobacco flavor that I don’t normally notice… something “vegetable”…? Anyway, something for me to vet in a proper Cigar Lounge where I can focus more on the nuances of the tobacco and how it behaves.

I’m definitely looking forward to my next adventure with the CAO Amazon Basin.

Stay Smoky
Stay Chill

04/28/2019
I’ve been curious about the CAO cigar brand by General Cigar Company since my return to the cigar hobby about a year ago until this gift from Rian Walker that came with a wide-eyed recommendation.

Let’s get this CAO Amazon Basin going…

The aromas off the foot are barnyardy and that’s something that I most often like. The cold draw delivered earthy tobacco and something like subtle sweet fruit.

Once lit, earthy oaky leather flavors hit me with a mild pepper spice on my retrohale. I was kind of hoping for the sweetness to show up, but it was not to be at this moment in time… we’ll see what happens later.

At the second third… the CAO Amazon Basin is smoky! With earthy sweet dried fruit and leather with a bit of charred wood (mesquite, BBQ) and a higher flavor note on the retrohale… white pepper, clove-like? Overall, this is a very enjoyable first experience with the CAO Amazon Basin. This has been something different for me in a good exploratory way. #SakamotoHappy

My burn is razor sharp and the ash just does not want to fall off… Yep, I’d say this cigar has some complexity to it and I just noticed that the aroma off the smoky foot is reminding me of BBQ.

An hour has come and gone and I’m at the halfway point with more of the same; more smoke, more complex flavors. This could drive one crazy trying to pinpoint all of the nuances of this beautiful cigar

At the last third everything ramps up, almost bitter, but deep and rich with the retrohale ramping up as well delivering its spicy goodness.

I think I’ll pursue a 5-pack of these and see what happens…

Thank you, Rian!

Stay Chill
StaySmoky

The Experience

The Cigar