The Daily Caller cigar review: CAO La Traviata Divino

By Patrick Semmens and Patrick Ashby - The Daily Caller   01/28/10 at 3:19 AM
Print This Article
Bookmark and Share

With its lush Ecuadorian habano wrapper, ultra-firm construction and hearty pre-light notes of leather and molasses, the new La Traviata blend from CAO sports characteristics similar to those of classic Cubans. Perhaps this shouldn’t come as a surprise, given that the original “La Traviata” was created more than a century ago in Havana.

CAO is offering this three-vitola blend at the economical price of $4.95 to $5.75 per cigar. Featuring a Cameroon binder and two different ligero filler tobaccos from the Pueblo Nuevo farm in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, the five inch by 50 ring gauge Divino starts with a burst of mild leather, sweet cedar and black pepper. It has a dense yet reasonable draw and a taste that develops to include notes of cream and roasted nuts.

The slow-burning Divino is fairly consistent from light to nub in both flavor and construction, and its cedar and creamy flavors pair perfectly with a sweet rum-based cocktail.

Key Stats
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Cameroon
Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic
Size: 5 inches, 50 ring gauge
MSRP: $4.95
Recommended Drink Pairings: Mojito, Rum Tonic, Cuba Libre

Each week the editors of StogieGuys.com highlight one outstanding cigar for Daily Caller readers.

Tags: , , , , ,
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (10 votes, average: 4.40 out of 5)
Loading ... Loading ...
Print This Article
Bookmark and Share

Comments (14)

  1. buffalo

    If you’ve never smoked a La Traviata, this is a must-have! I’ve smoked all of the CAO’s and this one, is the best, most well balanced medium-full bodied cigar on the market. Cigar Aficionado just rated it a 94, which is amazing considering how few non-Cubans ever get in the mid-90’s. CAO makes great sticks but this one… is perfect.

    Monday, February 22nd, 2010 - 11:58 PM   | Report Comment
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  2. fakebonjovi

    what kind of brandy should i dip this in?

    Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 - 12:13 AM   | Report Comment
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  3. bobh

    I love the ‘Cigar Review’ (will it be every Monday?).
    Great job!

    Monday, February 1st, 2010 - 6:49 PM   | Report Comment
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  4. mberle

    Awesome feature. Love it.

    Monday, February 1st, 2010 - 2:29 PM   | Report Comment
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  5. freedomtooffend

    I’m glad that I can still enjoy a good cigar, though I miss cloves since the hypocrite in chief saw fit to ban cloves.

    Friday, January 29th, 2010 - 3:40 PM   | Report Comment
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  6. seamusnh

    Thanks. I love a nice cigar…

    Friday, January 29th, 2010 - 3:02 PM   | Report Comment
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  7. potus2008

    400,000 Americans die from smoking every year, why are you promoting death?

    Friday, January 29th, 2010 - 11:33 AM   | Report Comment
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • thekidd9

      Its a cigar review for god sakes. Ease up.

      Friday, January 29th, 2010 - 7:05 PM   | Report Comment
      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • classicallib

      43,000 Americans die in car accidents every year. You should drive more.

      Saturday, January 30th, 2010 - 4:06 PM   | Report Comment
      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Phil Williams

      I smoke 1-2 cigars per week. You may not realize but you don’t inhale cigar smoke. I realize there is a small amount of danger from any smoking but I think it is worth it. Please let me make my own decisions. Are you a progressive? Sounds like it. I like you anyway. Republicans will take over house in 2010!! Maybe senate!! Have a good day, Phil W. (South Sarasota County, FL)

      Saturday, January 30th, 2010 - 4:26 PM   | Report Comment
      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • unmutual

      You should mind your own business.

      Sunday, January 31st, 2010 - 5:14 PM   | Report Comment
      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • bobh

      Connecticut Wrapper death, please (w/ a nice Scotch on the rocks too, thanks)

      Monday, February 1st, 2010 - 6:52 PM   | Report Comment
      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  8. vbspurs

    Nice feature! I do not smoke (let alone cigars) but the topic of cigars is endlessly fascinating.

    Keep it up, Daily Caller. You are exhibiting an urbanity that sits well in the crowded online journalism world.

    Thursday, January 28th, 2010 - 6:02 PM   | Report Comment
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

You must be logged in to post a comment.

STAY CONNECTED TO