C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

I never liked any C.A.O. cigar until I smoked my first C.A.O. La Traviata. That was a Divino and I liked it a lot. A friend gave me this cellophane wrapped Radiante, 6 inch long with a ring of 52. The cigar has a filler from Nicaraguan and Dominican filler, a Cameroon binder with an Ecuadorian habano wrapper.

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/...aradiante1.jpg

The Ecuadorian habano wrapper has a leathery look and is dark, shiny and oily with a few veins. The band is simple yet tasteful. The construction feels good. The cigar has a strong barnyard smell. The predraw is good and I taste a spicy and full raisin flavor.

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/...aradiante2.jpg

I get a strong coffee flavor, mild spicy and peppery. The coffee slowly changes into wood with a little bit of chocolate. After an inch the wood is dominant with a herbal spice and the chocolate disappeared. Halfway the structure of the flavors is mild creamy and the chocolate returns, the wood and herbs are still there.

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/...aradiante3.jpg

After two thirds I still taste the wood and herbs, but now with a sweetness and some pepper on the back of my throat. The wood slowly fades away, just like the sweetness. All I taste are herbs, spicy but not peppery anymore.

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/...aradiante4.jpg

This cigar lasted me for a long time, an hour and fifty minutes. I got a lot of medium thick smoke. The draw and the burn are good. The light colored ash is firm. The cigar is full flavored and medium to full bodied.

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/...aradiante5.jpg

Would I buy this cigar again? Without a doubt

Appearance: 8 / 10
Construction: 8 / 10
Draw: 8 / 10
Burn: 7 / 10
Smoke & ash: 7 / 10
Aroma first part: 8 / 10
Aroma second part: 8 / 10
Aroma third part: 7 / 10

Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

I agree brother, it is a great smoke.

Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

I enjoy these as well :tu

Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

This was the first CAO that I didn't pitch. I just picked up a maduro to try. Hopefully that will impress as well.

Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

I liked the original; the maduro not so much.

Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

Loving the La Traviata right now.

Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

:tpd: X2

Great review Ferdie!!

Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

I love these..... Can;t wait to try the maduro... Great Review!!!

Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

I liked the maduro too

Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

I must be a slow smoker, the Divino lasted two hours for me. I think your tasting notes are spot on.

Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

I love this stick thanks for the review.

Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

one hour and fifty minutes is only ten minutes shorter than two hours. Not that much of a difference.

Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

Have not had one of these yet.

Ferdie, what do you think of the Brazilia and the Italia?

Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

Thank you for the review Ferdie. Personally, I like almost everything that CAO rolls. I have had the pleasure of smoking the Brazilia, Italia, L'Anniversaire Cameroon, MX2 and Traviata and have liked them all. However, my two favorites have to be the La Traviata and the L'Anniversaire Cameroon.

Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

i am yet to try this as i have just recently heard about this stick. after this review i will try this without a doubt. great review. i have to agree with ferrari, i have enjoyed everything i have had from CAO. with my favorites being the LX2 and the MX2. again great review!

Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

Glad you finally found a CAO you liked, I've yet to be impressed by them. We'll see though, that one looks very different then their usual offerings.

Oh yeah and great review as always Ferdie :tu

Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

Yuck

Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

Thanks for the review Ferdie. These are excellent cigars and I love the economy price on them.

Re: C.A.O. La Traviata radiante
 

Great review, I'm actually going light one up tomorrow.