La Traviata

RightAJ · 01-24-2010, 02:15 PM

Did a quicky review today of the CAO La Traviata... Great stick!

aj

Being bored today, I wanted to get a cigar in before the NFL Playoffs and decided it was time to see what all the buzz is about over the CAO La Traviata. CAO's newest creation is named for an old Cuban brand, tries to mimic olde-world Cuban style. Lets see how it stacks up!

CAO has picked some leathery, dark, dense tobacco for this cigar, and it feels great in your hand. The pre-light on this Robusto sized stick tastes almost exactly like the sweet raisiny flavor of Redman to me, a flavor I really enjoy. After lighting, I get a nice tug on the draw and plenty of thick smoke. The flavors consist of a creamy medley of nut, sweet, and cedar notes (the cedar being a tiny bit spicy). Burn and ash start out perfect. I am enjoying the full-bodied flavors and body, but look for some more complexity. The second third explodes with coffee and earth flavors, though the flavors from the first third still stick around. Burn is razor sharp, draw is fantastic, and ash holds for over an inch before I drop it. Finishing up, I am still getting alot of coffee flavors though with some wood and spice and some sweet molasses. I rarely compare sticks to each other, but this reminds me of a VSG in body, construction and some of the flavors- though at a Casa Magna like price. A bit more complexity and this would be perfect.

I really enjoyed all hour and fifteen minutes of the La Traviata, it is a high quality product. The flavors were robust and tasty, and the construction was top notch. I would gladly give this a 90 rating, and will definitely be smoking more of these soon.

BeerAdvocate · 01-24-2010, 02:18 PM

These are a great stick for the price. I just wish I could find them!

jerseystepup · 01-24-2010, 03:00 PM

Over the last 6 months or so ive been loosing taste for alot of NC's and smoked pretty much all CC's.. however when i lit up one of these i LOVED it... and at an excellant price point! thanks for the review

SouthernSmoke · 01-24-2010, 03:35 PM

I haven't lit any of the ones I've got resting but I might just have to, now

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeerAdvocate

These are a great stick for the price. I just wish I could find them!

If you're having some trouble finding them, a B&M near me has quite an extensive collection. PM me and I'd be more than happy to send a few for you to try

68TriShield · 01-24-2010, 03:47 PM

I tried one of these recently.It was a beautiful looking and well constructed cigar.
That was about it for me though,not worth the ten dollar price tag for a basically tasteless cigar

Smokin Gator · 01-24-2010, 03:49 PM

Thanks for the nice review!!

BeerAdvocate · 01-24-2010, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68TriShield

I tried one of these recently.It was a beautiful looking and well constructed cigar.
That was about it for me though,not worth the ten dollar price tag for a basically tasteless cigar

Where did you spend $10 on this cigar, NY?
They should be around $5!

jerseystepup · 01-24-2010, 04:35 PM

Not even... im about 20 miles out from midtown manhattan and my local B&M has the toro size for about 5.25

01-24-2010, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeerAdvocate

These are a great stick for the price. I just wish I could find them!

TampaHumidor has them in the $5-$6 range with free shipping.

68TriShield · 01-24-2010, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeerAdvocate

Where did you spend $10 on this cigar, NY?
They should be around $5!

9.90 I think.In Maryland.
I still wouldn't smoke it at five dollars.Not enough flavor or strength for me.
Not to say,it doesn't sound like a hit for the company

kelmac07 · 01-24-2010, 06:56 PM

I was very impressed with this stick.

Ratters · 01-24-2010, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68TriShield

I tried one of these recently.It was a beautiful looking and well constructed cigar.
That was about it for me though,not worth the ten dollar price tag for a basically tasteless cigar

Oh man, I thought I was the only person in the world who didn't care for this stick.

Nice review though.

Salvelinus · 01-25-2010, 05:39 AM

Thanks for the review on this one.

smokin5 · 03-23-2010, 09:45 PM

I tried my first one today, also a Robusto.
Reminded me a lot of a fresh Padron 2000.
Spicy start, cocoa aftertaste, but a bit more woodiness in the finish after the halfway mark than a Padron.
Good burn, draw was fine.
Just think I'd rather have the Padron 2000 instead (shrug).

Ken · 01-04-2011, 08:31 AM

I ran over to Party Source in Newport (ky) and was handed one of these by a gent in the humidor. He asked if I had one and told him I was looking for something to get me through the 2hr drive home and the Traviata was the call. I'm not too sure about the claim of 'full' but I liked the cigar. It had nice smoke and flavor and kept me interested on the drive.

I think I'll have another and then decide if I want to invest in a box. A thumbs up for 1st impressions.

01-24-2010, 02:18 PM	#2
BeerAdvocate BeerHunter Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Travis Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 1,912 Trading: (45)	Re: La Traviata These are a great stick for the price. I just wish I could find them! __________________ *I Brew the Beer I Drink*

01-24-2010, 03:00 PM	#3
jerseystepup L-I-V-I-N Join Date: Jun 2009 First Name: Randy Location: New Jersey Posts: 774 Trading: (9)	Re: La Traviata Over the last 6 months or so ive been loosing taste for alot of NC's and smoked pretty much all CC's.. however when i lit up one of these i LOVED it... and at an excellant price point! thanks for the review

01-24-2010, 03:47 PM	#5
68TriShield Got Torque? Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dave Location: Maryland Posts: 7,184 Trading: (40)	Re: La Traviata I tried one of these recently.It was a beautiful looking and well constructed cigar. That was about it for me though,not worth the ten dollar price tag for a basically tasteless cigar

01-24-2010, 03:49 PM	#6
Smokin Gator Just plain insane! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Swamp Posts: 6,237 Trading: (106)	Re: La Traviata Thanks for the nice review!! __________________ Check out the Cigar Asylum Newbie Sampler Trade

01-24-2010, 04:35 PM	#8
jerseystepup L-I-V-I-N Join Date: Jun 2009 First Name: Randy Location: New Jersey Posts: 774 Trading: (9)	Re: La Traviata Not even... im about 20 miles out from midtown manhattan and my local B&M has the toro size for about 5.25

01-24-2010, 06:56 PM	#11
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: La Traviata I was very impressed with this stick. __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

01-25-2010, 05:39 AM	#13
Salvelinus Have My Own Room Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Brendan Location: Vermont Posts: 1,116 Trading: (12)	Re: La Traviata Thanks for the review on this one.

03-23-2010, 09:45 PM	#14
smokin5 Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: On the Mountaintop - AZ Posts: 2,002 Trading: (69)	Re: La Traviata I tried my first one today, also a Robusto. Reminded me a lot of a fresh Padron 2000. Spicy start, cocoa aftertaste, but a bit more woodiness in the finish after the halfway mark than a Padron. Good burn, draw was fine. Just think I'd rather have the Padron 2000 instead (shrug). __________________ Pobody's Nerfect.

01-04-2011, 08:31 AM	#15
Ken Still Watching My Back Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Albany, In Posts: 241 Trading: (0)	Re: La Traviata I ran over to Party Source in Newport (ky) and was handed one of these by a gent in the humidor. He asked if I had one and told him I was looking for something to get me through the 2hr drive home and the Traviata was the call. I'm not too sure about the claim of 'full' but I liked the cigar. It had nice smoke and flavor and kept me interested on the drive. I think I'll have another and then decide if I want to invest in a box. A thumbs up for 1st impressions.