CAO La Traviata Maduro
The La Traviata Maduro was introduced at the 2010 IPCPR Trade Show as a line extension of the highly acclaimed La Traviata. CAO retained the same filler and binder blend, only changing the wrapper from an Ecuadorian Habano to a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro. For more information on the story behind La Traviata I highly suggest you take a look at the CAO website.
Name: La Traviata Maduro
Company: CAO
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Cameroon
Filler: Pueblo Nuevo, Nicaragua and Dominican Republic
Price: ~$6.00
Comes in: Box of 24
Vitola: Radiante (6×52 Toro)
Pre-Light
The maduro wrapper on this cigar was a dark shade of brown most reminiscent of dark chocolate. Veins ran up and down the oily wrapper adding only a slight amount of texture to the already toothy leaf. The stick was solidly constructed as I was unable to detect and hard/soft spots in the filler tobacco and was topped off nicely with what appeared to be a triple cap. I took a few sniffs of the wrapper and was almost knocked out of my chair by the awesome barnyard aromas this cigar put off. Tons of manure, hay, wood and earth just poured off of the wrapper which really got my taste buds going. After clipping off the cap I set fire to the foot of this cigar and began puffing.
Final Thoughts
When a great cigar is released with a new wrapper I always feel a sense of apprehension. I wonder can it be as good as the original. In the case of the La Traviata Maduro I think it is. This stick had an incredible blend of flavors that ranged from leather, espresso, earth and sweetness. And if that wasn’t enough there was an intense black pepper note that just exploded on my palate making the cigar even more interesting. Although I didn’t pick up on any significant flavor change while smoking this cigar I did notice slight variations in how pronounced some flavors were from one part of the cigar to another. The CAO La Traviata Maduro is a well balanced full-bodied flavor bomb!
Construction wise this cigar did not disappoint as well. The draw was impeccable and had I been patient I believe the ash could have held for well over 3 inches. The cigar also burnt evenly without the aide of any kighter touch-ups.
Another question that comes to my mind when there is an identical cigar with two different wrappers is, “which one is your favorite.” In this case it’s actually a pretty hard decision because I think both cigars are great in their own unique way. But if the proverbial gun is pointed to my head and I have to choose then it would have to be the original. There is just something about that cigar the get’s me going. It might possibly be my “island” cigar. However, I reserve the right to revoke this statement if the Maduro version is ever released in the Animados (Corona Gorda) size.
Let me know what you think about the La Traviata Maduro and how you think it compares to the original.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
Thanks Chris for the review I’m still waiting for my local B&M to get them in. I really want to try them since the OGs are so GREAT.
This is quickly becoming one of my favorite smokes, even over some other considerably more expensive alternates… CAO really did something special with these.
A great review Chris. I smoked CAO La Traviata Maduro last week. It was a good everyday cigar. I will gets some more ASAP….
Love this cigar. But I really wish they would have put some effort into the band. Strapping a red band with the word “Maduro” onto the stick just seems like that phoned that one in.
Chris, you nailed it!! Great review for a great cigar!! My local cigar shop turned me on to try this one out and I have to say it was an extreme pleasure to smoke! From the aroma to the very satisfying taste, as well as the nice slow burn, this stick is better than the original! Time to order up a box!!
This is one of the best Maduro’s I have ever smoked. Very oily extremely smooth. Now my every day stick at a great price point.
Great review.
I really enjoy the maduro, and actually think I like it more than the original.