2021 CA Report: Top 8 Best Rated CAO Cigars Under $10
These are our Best Rated CAO Cigars – and They’re Each Under $10
A Brief History of CAO Cigars
Old enough to be a classic, but new enough to turn heads for the latest generation of cigar smokers – that’s CAO Cigars in a nutshell.
On a funnier note – they’re probably among the most mispronounced cigar companies. Some say it like “cow.” Others like the Italian salutation, “ciao.” Both are wrong, though, which makes this a good time to talk about Cano Aret Ozgener. Notice his initials? C-A-O. And that’s exactly how the company name should be said.
Cano was a cigar and pipe enthusiast and got his foot in the door by modifying pipes for his friends in the 70s. By 1980, he was making and selling his own. Cigars followed shortly and his most successful blends were Maduros with richer flavors that answered the demands of a bustling cigar consumer renaissance. A slew of rave reviews on those Maduros rocketed CAO into a household name by the early 90s.
Since then, the CAO brand has grown exponentially. So much so that in 2007 they were purchased by General Cigar, where Rick Rodriguez took over blending for the brand. And as you’ll see below, Maduros are still very much their strong suit.
These cigar reviews aren’t about us. They’re about you.
Take your pick of any uppity cigar magazine these days. They take one person with smoking experience and put a pen in their hands. They tell you the good, bad, and ugly about each cigar they review and then slap a number on it like a quiz grade.
There’s no doubt that cigar reviewers have knowledge and experience that can help you decide whether you want to purchase a specific cigar, but the bottom line is that their palate isn’t your palate. They’re still just one person.
The ratings in this guide focus on consumer ratings; you know…people who actually bought the cigar and don’t receive ad revenue that makes them think twice about posting something negative.
How our customer-based cigar rating system works:
Each blend featured in our Best-Rated series must meet a minimum average of 4.5 stars across a minimum of 10 reviews. Whichever cigars customers rate the highest get highlighted. No bias. No bullshit. Just an aggregate of ratings that matter like we’ve done for other brands in the past. And we didn’t stop there. We also required each cigar to be under $10 per stick (at publication date) based on the box price. You simply can’t lose!
Have a CAO rating you’d like to share? Hit up the comments section below!
CAO Flathead V660 Carb – 5 Stars across 29 Reviews
Once again, CAO proves its Maduro prowess with the ultra-popular Flathead series. And they certainly went for the potent stuff. Broadleaf wrappers, Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut Habano binders, and long leaf filler tobaccos from Nicaragua. Big ring fans have taken a shine to the beefy, box-pressed v660 Carb, a 6” x 60 that smokes long, smooth, and spicy. I’m with Rocco on smoking it after dinner as the full-bodied notes of earth, sweet spices, dark chocolate, and pepper hit the spot when your stomach is full. If you’ve yet to dip your feet into bigger cigar sizes, this might be the one to try. It’s hard to argue with a perfect score.
CAO Flathead Steel Horse Ape Hanger – 5 Stars across 11 Reviews
Speaking of perfect scores, Flathead’s sequel, CAO Flathead Steel Horse earns another with Ape Hanger. The unique mouthfeel that Weldon’s talking about comes from the feature that gives the series its name – a flat cigar head instead of the typical dome shape. Steel Horse’s blend goes even deeper with tobaccos from Honduras, Nicaragua, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic, along with a lush Connecticut Habano Oscuro wrapper. And from them, you’re awarded flavors of chocolate, espresso, sweet wood, and warm spices. Just make sure you have a punch cutter ready for these Flatheads, as a traditional cutter won’t do.
CAO Brazilia Gol! – 4.5 stars across 138 Reviews
CAO Brazilia is the type of smoke that makes an Opus X nervous. It has nearly unrivaled success and is by far the most popular Maduro cigar out there. So…what’s CAO’s secret? For starters, a rare crop of well-aged Brazilian Arapiraca wrappers atop prized tobaccos from Nicaragua in its core. But even more than the tobaccos are the flavors which have remained consistent since 2001. We’re talking exotic spices, coffee, cedar, pepper…and that’s just the short version. If I could only pick one Maduro to smoke for the rest of my days, CAO Brazilia would be an easy answer.
CAO America Potomac – 4.5 Stars across 38 Reviews
Jason gets it. Cigars don’t get more ‘Merica than CAO America. This barberpole has been a major hit at summer holiday picnics, but it’s not merely a novelty to go along with the fireworks. A blend of dual Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro and Connecticut Shade wrappers embrace a heart of long filler tobaccos from Nicaragua, Italy, the U.S., and the Dominican Republic – making this a full-bodied treat that oozes delicious complexity any time you smoke one. And for those who like ‘em big, the Potomac size boasts a hefty 56 ring gauge that produces ultra-creamy smoke for about 90 minutes.
CAO Moontrance Cigarillos – 4.5 Stars across 36 Reviews
In addition to the CAO Moontrance flavors John points out, there are layers of peach, cherry, honey, and citrus throughout these little treats. They’re satisfyingly smooth and perfect for skipping the calories on dessert while still indulging your sweet tooth, thanks to a sweetened tip, and naturally sweet tobaccos like its African Cameroon wrapper. And if anyone joshes you for smoking it, tell ‘em to kick rocks…because the rave reviews on it are like a wrecking ball through the wall of stigma that surrounds flavored and infused cigars. My favorite part – they take only 15 minutes to smoke. And that makes traffic between errands infinitely more bearable!
CAO Cameroon Robusto – 4.5 Stars across 28 Reviews
CAO Cameroon doesn’t just earn high praise from the cigar rags; it earns them from you. Genuine African Cameroon tobaccos in the wrapper position are married to a Nicaraguan binder and filler for a result that’s as satisfying as it is smooth. Jimmy hit it on the head, so much so that we should probably hire him. And though it is medium-bodied, it’s also full flavored with notes of cedar, cocoa, coffee bean, spice, and a flowery sweetness. So if you’re all about taking your taste buds on a ride without being pummeled by pepper, CAO Cameroon will satisfy to the nub every time.
CAO Mx2 Toro – 4.5 Stars across 25 Reviews
High praise from Jake here, but I get it. CAO Mx2 was my first cigar. I didn’t want to seem like a newbie lightweight and I just went for it. The fact that it didn’t hit me as hard as I expected was a decision that transitioned my cigar experience from curiosity to passion. So…the name…Mx2. It means dual Maduros, which is exactly what you get. Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro on top. Brazilian Maduro on the bottom. Together, they produce an extraordinarily sweet and zesty profile that is complex, velvety smooth, and gives you that full feeling you get from a really hearty smoke.
CAO Italia Gondola – 4.5 Stars across 17 Reviews
Brody makes a good point. When was the last time you had an Italian cigar? CAO Italia uses Italian Habano tobaccos in the filler from seeds that were imported from Cuba over 50 years ago. Additionally, they add tobacco from Nicaragua, Peru, and a Honduran Habano wrapper that boasts rich flavors of sweet earth, spices, nuts, black pepper, and a pinch of citrus zest. We found that the blend sits between medium and full-bodied, making it a great cigar to pair with lunch on the patio, or even a pre-meal appetizer at your next cookout. No matter when you decide to smoke it, I’m confident you’ll be pleased.