Rare tobacco from the Amazonian Rainforest inspired the creation of CAO Amazon Basin, a small batch, limited edition release that debuted in 2014 and is now making a limited return to retailers across the U.S. The blend is available in a singular frontmark that ships today, January 8, 2024 and will be released in a slightly lesser quantity than was made available in 2022.
The 2024 CAO Amazon Basin is expressed in a single (6” x 52) vitola with an MSRP set at $14.29/cigar. They are packaged in 18-count rustic wooden boxes.
Ed Lahmann, senior brand manager said,
“When we launched Amazon Basin a decade ago, we debuted Amazonian tobacco to the world and created a smoking experience that was completely different from anything on the market. We’re pleased to release the special blend again this year. And while we are not disclosing production figures, the number of boxes we’re releasing this year is down from 2022 because of the scarcity of the tobacco and the care it requires. My advice to CAO fans is if you see Amazon Basin, be sure to get your hands on it.”
CAO Amazon Basin centers on an Amazonian tobacco called “Bragança,” which is organically grown on unspoiled tropical land and harvested once every three years. Seedlings are transplanted directly into the soil a full yard apart from each other, resulting in less than half the yield of other tobacco plants.
The leaves are rolled by hand into tubes called “carottes” where they undergo six months of natural fermentation. They are then transported out of the rainforest by canoe, taken to the mainland, and ultimately brought to the CAO factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.
There, CAO’s blenders allow the aromatic Bragança leaf to take center stage, surrounded by tobacco curated from four different countries. Sheathed in a hearty Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper from the highest primings, with a Nicaraguan binder and Dominican and Colombian tobacco in the filler to compliment the Brazilian Bragança, the CAO Amazon Basin experience is as exotic as the tropical rainforest from which it originated.
Handcrafted at STG Esteli, this medium-bodied CAO blend is described by the company as earthy and nutty with notes of caramel, briny nuances and a pleasantly dry finish, offering an adventure into the unexpected.
