I am still newer to the cigar world and was debating buying a box since they are disappearing due to the hype, but I have also been reading stay as far away from newer CAO smokes as you can.

A little insight would be helpful!

CAO family sold the brand out a few years ago to a major conglomerate. Many if not all their blends have been changed or adjusted and the cigars do not have the same flavor as in the past. The quality of the entire line has changed. I used to purchase their blends frequently when it was family run and enjoyed them. Now -not so much if at all. They are not the same cigars even though they have the same band, name and box.

If the OR limited edition was produced when the Ozenger family was in control, it is highly unlikely that the re-release will be comparable to the original. They are just coattailing on the Family name - IMHO

Six or eight years ago, there were a few CAO's that were worth the price. Once they sold out to General, I was done with them. I have nothing good to say about any cigars associated with General. No coincidence that the timing was close to the departure of Jon Huber, I'm sure....though I don't remember the details. I am still a big fan of Huber's stuff. Buy something from Crowned Heads instead....or, just about anything else not General...nor Altadis

I am a firm believer that if someone tells you its a great cigar enough times, you will believe it regardless of the smoking experience.

I guess its best to leave this one alone.

Both releases were done by General. They originally had the tobacco from the Amazon rain forest. Unfortunately they can only get the tobacco from there every 3 years is when it's ready) is why they are just releasing another. General I beleive bought CAO in like 2011? Not sure but sometime around there as yes, I was a CAO whore too. LOL

IMHO, the OR's are smoking awesome right now and way better than the 2nd releases. The 2nd releases aren't a bad cigar which I have smoked several of. Just not as good as the OR. That's just my .02

Great... now you have me looking into buying them again haha... what a great dilemma to have 🤔

All my local places cant keep the smokes on the shelves (which is another reason I am looking to buy them). Every time I come in looking to try one they are sold out with more on the way... its turn into quite the vicious cycle. I have only been able to find boxes for sale online, although they aren't incredibly expensive, I don't want a $100 box of cigars I don't like.

Smoke one and see.

t33bone nailed this btw, never was a family era blend but the OR is good. I haven't had the newer one, but if my local had them I'd buy one. Doubt I'd buy a box even of the OR.

Finding out is part of the journey dude.