(no this is not a new vitola )

I noticed in a few threads that CAO does not get a whole lot of love around these parts. I would have to agree with the Vision and the Sopranos (way over priced). As far as just plain bad (Cao gold Maduro and the Criollo) are definately exceptions to the rule. The Italia's are phenomenal. The Maduro (anniversary) are wonderful as well. almost every single one I have had has burned straight NEVER been plugged and always enjoyable. Thier packaging can be gaudy as all get up, but the cigars are good so who cares. Brazillias are nice, the blacks (when you can find them) are really good too. The America's even though they look goofy smoke like a champ and taste really good for what I like. ireally dont know what the band bias is for them.
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I have to agree with you. CAO catches alot of flack sometimes. I really don't dislike CAO. They have quite a few cigars that I like. You already named a few of them.
I like the Sopranos and have a box only because of an auction price. I could never pay retail for those. I also enjoy their newest cigar, the LX2.

Maybe it's just the fact CAO is so big and the big guys always get picked on. They really push the limits in the cigar industry sometimes and they think WAAAY outside the box quite a bit, but they are marketing genuises.
Plus, like I said, I do enjoy many cigars by them, but none of them are exceptional. They seem to really produce average smokes that people will say are good but it doesn't seem to go much further than that.

Just my :-) .
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I am sorry I am not on the same page as you guys...CAO at one point in time was probably the brand I had the most of...however, with their constant willingness to reblend products whenever they feel like it...their willingness to change who rolls it for them at any given time...and their overinflated price tags have really made me walk away from the brand. I can tell you of so many of their products that were phenomenal at the time of their release only to last ten minutes before it is reblended and tastes like crap...

That is just my experience, please do not let it overshadow the product you may love...smoke what you like!
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I agree Killjoy CAO makes some great smokes.
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I love the CAO eXtreme!!!
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I really enjoy the Brazilias and the Golds.
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Like I said in the other thread, I've enjoyed most of the CAOs I've had as well. I like the Brazilila, the Black VR and the Italia the most. I was a little underwhelmed by the America. The regular "maduro" is also pretty good (and I'm not a huge maduro fan). I was just gifted a Sopranos that I am looking forward to trying.

I think the packaging is pretty cool. I can't see how people can really knock a company for being creative. :-)

As far as the pricing, I rarely buy cigars at MSRP. At the prices I am paying for these it is a non issue.
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I really like the Sopranos
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the only CAOs that ive actually liked were the italia and brazilias. The gold maduro was just bad but i have a anaversiary that i think is a boxed pressed belicoso. Im sorry im on my phone and when i get home ill be able to explain morw
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The Italia was my first ever smoke..you always love your first.

I also like the Brazilias...Haven't smoked enough of the others to have an opinion, really.
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I haven't had a criollo in a couple years, but dang I used to like those. The first brazilia I had was amazing, but they've been lackluster since. Italias were nice, haven't had one for a while. The blacks are fake maduros, I refuse to have another one after my fingers got all stained.
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Are you talking about the CAO VR Black? The regular blacks aren't maduro.
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maybe it was an anniversary maduro, it had a red band
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The Brazilia and the mx2 are very good smokes. I dont think ive ever had a problem with the brazilia. Always good burn, construction, and the flavor is great! Full of great chocolate and coffee flavors.
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I've had very few bad experiences with CAO. My personal favorite CAO would be the Brazilia, never disappoints!
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I really, really enjoy the CAO Black....I have also enjoyed the Criollo and the MX2. I haven't tried the Brazilia yet, but I have one waiting.
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I've only had a couple different blends from CAO, the Brazilia & the VR. Both were very nice in my opinion.
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Like many, I've sampled the CAO lineup. I like the Brazilias and Criollos the best so far; I just picked up some LX2s and CX2s that I'm looking forward to smoking. I like Italias, too, when I'm in the right mood.

MX2s have some good flavor notes, but they never live up to my hopes because the flavors never quite get there -- the hints of flavor always flit through the background and never quite build to where I want them to be. The VRs have been ok, but I, too, am not a fan of cooked maduros. The Golds and Blacks are just too mild and boring for me.

I've never had a Vision or Soprano -- I'd never pay MSRP -- but I hope to try some someday.

Bottom line, for me: some decent to very good smokes that are well marketed. I hate paying for marketing though, and I don't like when CAO experiments with or changes established blends. So CAOs aren't likely ever to be more than just a stick to smoke when I'm not really paying a lot of attention to my smoke.

Although I am looking forward to trying the LX2s . . .
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The CAO MX2 is still one of my favorites but I didn't care for the Criolla.
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Italia and Brazilias are consistent, flavorful, enjoyable smokes.

The Gold is a really good creamy, mild smoke, but not my go-to in this category.

The rest I only smoke on rare occaision, nothing bad to say about them except they are a tad pricey.
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