dgomberg
9 years ago
Please excuse my noobish tendencies... I am wondering if the hype is real about the CAO amazon basins. I know they were a super limited release a few years back and now have re-released the same smoke, but according to some who are in the know, it is a different blend.

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!
madspackler
9 years ago
If a manufacturer has a cigar as a Super Limited Release, there is usually a driving factor that limits the number of cigars produced. It could be a particular wrapper leaf or specific binder/filler materials. It may be the Roller who is responsible for the product. Once the supply is out, it is out. My experience with re-releases is they are never as good as the original.
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
dstieger
9 years ago
Mad is correct.
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
KingoftheCove
9 years ago
dgomberg
9 years ago
Thanks for all in the input, I figured I would try to do some homework before buying some. Everywhere I try to read reviews and such are saying the cigar is amazing.
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.
t33bone
9 years ago

If a manufacturer has a cigar as a Super Limited Release, there is usually a driving factor that limits the number of cigars produced. It could be a particular wrapper leaf or specific binder/filler materials. It may be the Roller who is responsible for the product. Once the supply is out, it is out. My experience with re-releases is they are never as good as the original.
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

madspackler wrote:


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
dgomberg
9 years ago

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

t33bone wrote:




Great... now you have me looking into buying them again haha... what a great dilemma to have 🤔
dstieger
9 years ago
What dilemma? Buy one; smoke it. Make your own mind and let us know. My opinion don't mean ****.
dgomberg
9 years ago

What dilemma? Buy one; smoke it. Make your own mind and let us know. My opinion don't mean ****.

dstieger wrote:




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.
ZRX1200
9 years ago
Exactly.

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.
dstieger
9 years ago
didn't know you can't get singles...never heard of it before this post....just looked at CI....wth....$110 for box of 18? Never mind....there are a LOT of good cigars that can be had for a lot less....without that risk.
abjd14
9 years ago
I enjoy the amazon basin. The cool part is that there is twisted tobacco leaf for the band and u can just smoke it throuhh the band. It has a very full earthy flavor. I bought singles from my local shop
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