CAO Cigars

CAO MX2 Size: Available in Robusto (5″ × 52), Toro (6″ × 54), Belicoso (7″ × 56), Gordo (6″ × 60) Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro (outer) Binder: Brazilian Maduro Fillers: Blend of Dominican, Honduran, Nicaraguan, and Peruvian long-fillers Strength: Medium to Medium‑Full Flavor Notes:Dark chocolate, espresso, leather, rich earth, black pepper spice, caramel sweetness Pairing Notes:Barrel‑aged bourbon, dark coffee, aged rum, rich stout, bittersweet chocolate Manufacturer: CAO (Scandinavian Tobacco Group), produced in Honduras Release: Introduced in 2008 under the “Maduro ×2” concept featuring two Maduro wrappers; recognized by Cigar Aficionado (88 rating) and Robb Report Best of the Best list  Privada Storytelling Double-Maduro Mastery in a Torpedo of Depth CAO MX2 is built on a bold premise: two Maduro layers for amplified flavor. The oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper crowns a spicy Brazilian Maduro binder, all wrapped around a rich multi-country filler blend. It’s a cigar that unfolds slowly—first a velvet wave of dark chocolate and espresso, then a heart of leather and earthy complexity, finishing with peppery warmth and lingering sweetness. Crafted for the seeker of depth and contrast, it's a smoke that reveals itself in deliberate, luxurious layers. Flavor Journey First third: Begins with rich chocolate and espresso, undercut by smooth caramel and grounded by a leathery earth baseMiddle third: Leather takes prominence, complemented by cedar and a touch of black pepper; smoke becomes thick and creamyFinal third: Deep earthiness and leather linger, finishing with a sustained pepper and chocolate echo Draw remains generous, burn is clean, and smoke texture stays creamy throughout  Why It Belongs in Privada CAO MX2 offers a ceremonial experience through purposeful layering and structure. It embodies Privada’s values by combining craftsmanship, narrative depth, and bold flavor progression. Ideal for reflective solo sessions or shared moments of sophistication, it stands as a testament to deliberate blending and matured intensity.

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CAO Colombia Vallenato Size: Robusto Gordo (5″ × 56) or Churchill (7″ × 50)Vitola: ParejoWrapper: Honduran JamastránBinder: CameroonFillers: Colombian Ica Mazinga and Brazilian Mata Fina long-fillersFlavor Notes:• Creamy cedar and roasted nuts• Subtle espresso and coffee bean• Light black & white pepper• Sweet citrus/orange brightness• Grassy hay, green tea sweetness• Toasted bread, floral/herbal touchesPairing Notes: Morning coffee, aged rum, nutty pastry, light-bodied bourbonStrength/Body: Mild to medium body, builds modestly toward the endManufacturer: CAO Cigars (made at STG Estelí, Nicaragua) Privada Storytelling A Nostalgic Flavor Bridge The Vallenato is a world‑blender born from curiosity—a Colombian-Brazilian core smoothed by Honduran wrapper and Cameroon binder, all rolled in Nicaragua. It opens with sweet cedar and nut, drifts into citrus and earthy coffee, and finishes on a gentle herbal-citrus note. Light but layered, it plays off tradition while offering something subtly fresh—a cultural conversation at rest. Flavor Journey First Third: Creamy cedar and nut, with espresso-hued coffee and a clean pepper pinchMiddle Third: Citrus brightness enters—orange or lemon—alongside hay, green tea, and floral nuanceFinal Third: Toasted bread sweetness lingers, pepper and herbal touches weave into a smooth, rounded finish  Why It Belongs in Privada This cigar proves you don’t need bold horsepower to hold attention. It’s a tasteful fusion of cultures—Colombian filler making history, but balanced by Cameroon and Honduras. Each draw feels like discovery, yet it's meant for calm reflection. That aligns perfectly with Privada’s values: quiet complexity, thoughtful design, and purposeful cohesion.

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CAO Consigliere Size: Associate (5″ × 52), Soldier (6″ × 54), Boss (7″ × 56)Vitola: Robusto, Toro, GordoWrapper: Brazilian Mata Fina MaduroBinder: HonduranFillers: Nicaraguan, Dominican, Colombian long‑fillersStrength/Body: Medium to medium‑full Flavor Notes: Dark espresso and cocoa powder Earthy leather and cedar Nutty core with hints of mineral Sweet cinnamon spice on retrohale Subtle caramel and salted cedar finish Pairing Notes: Bourbon, stout beer, single‑malt Scotch, espresso Manufacturer: CAO Cigars (General Cigar Company), made in Nicaragua under STG Estelí Privada Storytelling Underworld Refinement Consigliere resurrects a legendary blend from the Sopranos era, rebranded and sharpened for today’s palate. Donning a dark, toothy Mata Fina wrapper, this cigar offers bold flavors with silky polish—like a trusted advisor who’s seen it all but still gives you what you need. It’s powerful, precise, and quietly commanding. Flavor Journey First third: Rich espresso, leather, cedar, light mineral and saltiness emerge early Second third: Cocoa deepens, sweet spices appear and cinnamon retrohale sharpens the profile Final third: Cedar and pepper hold steady, caramel sweetness and earth round out the experience Why It Belongs in Privada Consigliere lives in the space where nostalgia meets nuance. It delivers bold Brazilian wrapper richness without sacrificing complexity or refinement. As an homage to a storied past with a reworked identity, it stands as a confident, layered blend—much like a Privada smoke built for discerning moments, not flash.

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CAO Steel Horse Size: Robusto (5″ × 50), Toro (6″ × 54), Gordo (6″ × 60)Vitola: Robusto Toro Gordo ParejoWrapper: Honduran Habano OscuroBinder: HonduranFillers: Honduran long-fillers with ligero contentStrength/Body: Medium‑full Flavor Notes: Rich espresso and dark cacao Creamy roasted nuts and walnut shell Earthy cedar and deep tobacco core Black pepper spice with cinnamon warmth Smooth molasses sweetness in finish Pairing Notes: Bourbon on the rocks, robust stout beer, black espresso, pecan pie Manufacturer: CAO Cigars (General Cigar Company), produced in Honduras Privada Storytelling Rugged Elegance on a Stallion CAO Steel Horse carries you on a journey across open plains and smoky campfires. Draped in an oily Habano Oscuro wrapper, it delivers bold flavor with a touch of refinement. Each draw brings smooth power—like a horse bred for endurance with a rider’s finesse. It’s built for those who appreciate strength with subtle grace. Flavor Journey First third: Espresso and dark cacao usher in roast and creamy essenceSecond third: Roasted nut bread and cedar layer in, backed by earthy tobaccoFinal third: Black pepper and cinnamon rise, rounded by molasses and lingering finish Why It Belongs in Privada Steel Horse is pedigree in cigar form—bold enough to stand out, smooth enough to savor. It carries the rugged heart of Honduran Habano with creamy balance and rich structure. It’s a smoke you ride with purpose, one that fits Privada’s yearning for meaningful depth wrapped in craft.

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CAO V23 (Flathead V23 MKI 660) Size: Gordo (6″ × 60, box-pressed)Vitola: Parejo Box-PressWrapper: Honduran JamastránBinder: Nicaraguan HabanoFillers: Brazilian Mata Fina, Honduran Jamastrán Viso, Nicaraguan Jalapa Viso, Nicaraguan Estelí LigeroStrength/Body: Medium–full Flavor Notes: Toasted nuts and earthy coffee Raisin sweetness and dark chocolate Cedar and leather depth Black pepper spice with mineral undertones Smooth mocha‑caramel finish Pairing Notes: Rye whiskey, latte, amber lager, aged rum Manufacturer: CAO Cigars (General Cigar, rolled at STG Estelí) Privada Storytelling Power and Precision in a GT Package V23 was crafted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Le Mans and inspired by the iconic Ford GT40 MKI. This toro‑gordo box‑pressed smoke is like a high-performance machine—bold and responsive, with a blend built for endurance. It doesn’t just roar, it performs. From the chocolate‑nut complexity to the pepper‑tinged closure, every puff reflects CAO’s blend of torque and finesse. Flavor Journey First third: Nutty earth and cedar emerge alongside coffee‑like depthSecond third: Raisin sweetness and dark chocolate notes build with leather nuanceFinal third: Pepper and mineral richness deepen, finishing softly with mocha caramel  Why It Belongs in Privada V23 is a boutique workflow in cigar form—purposeful, bold, yet finely tuned. It blends international tobaccos into a cohesive ride that rewards focus and respect. Just like Privada's ethos, it's more than flavor—it's engineering and experience wrapped in wrapper.

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CAO Arcana Firewalker Size: 6½″ × 56 (Toro Gordo)Vitola: Figurado / Toro GordoWrapper: Ecuadorian Habano RosadoBinder: NicaraguanFillers: Nicaraguan “chincagre”–aged tobacco from MasatepeFlavor Notes: Cedar, sweet earth, black pepper, dark chocolate, toasted almond, leather, subtle spices, hint of citrusPairing Notes: Bourbon or aged rum, porter beer, dark roast coffee, campfire s’moresManufacturer: General Cigar Co. (made at American Caribbean Cigars, Nicaragua) Privada Storytelling The Firewalker is a journey through fire and earth—ancient Nicaraguan tradition buried beneath volcanic soil, reborn in your hand. CAO’s Arcana Series honors tobacco history, and this follow-up to Mortal Coil embraces the chincagre method: tobacco pilones buried for two months, then fermented nine more months to unlock raw sweetness  This is a cigar made for discovery. You don’t light it as a routine—each puff reveals layers, from primal earth to refined sweetness. It's for nights around embers, where stories meet smoke, and ritual meets curiosity. In Privada terms, it’s raw and refined in one line, requiring patience and rewarding introspection. Flavor Journey First third: Sweet cedar and mild earth dominate, eased by a peppery kick. Early brightness shows notes of citrus and toasted almond .Mid-smoke: Dark chocolate, leather, and baking spice appear, with a creamy mouthfeel and florals emerging on retrohale .Final third: The profile takes a sharper turn—toasty char, intensified black pepper, leather, and an occasional bitterness . Why It Belongs in Privada Firewalker stands for this: tradition meets risk. It buries tobacco in volcanic earth to unearth new flavor; it grants ritual to the curious smoker. Not a safe choice—but deeply rewarding if you're ready to walk through fire. Privada respects that kind of bravery and craftsmanship.

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CAO BX3 Size: Robusto (5″ × 52), Toro (6″ × 54), Gordo (6″ × 60)Vitola: Figurado/ParejoWrapper: Brazilian Mata FinaBinder: Brazilian ArapiracaFillers: Brazilian Mata Fina plus Honduran, Mexican & Nicaraguan long-fillersFlavor Notes: Earthy wood, leather, Brazil nut cream, dark chocolate, coffee, black pepper, citrus spice, baking spicePairing Notes: French roast coffee, barrel-aged rum, dark chocolate, aged bourbonManufacturer: CAO (STG Estelí, Nicaragua) Privada Storytelling The CAO BX3 is a bold exploration of Brazilian tobacco—using it in every leaf to express unique terroir and spicy richness. It doesn’t follow the Connecticut-wrapped path; instead, it forges a new one where Brazil’s flavors shine. It’s for those moments when familiarity meets discovery, when depth matters more than complexity. Flavor Journey Light-up: Rich leather and pepper, with bursts of dark espresso and citrus-floral undercurrents—a reminder this isn’t a mild cigar. Midway: Leather and wood smooth out, revealing Brazil-nut cream, coffee, and dark-chocolate sweetness balanced by citrus-bright spice. Final third: Earth deepens, pepper sharpens, and a lasting combination of leathery spice and nutty sweetness closes the journey. Why It Belongs in Privada Privada values earthy intensity crafted with intention. The BX3 is that rare animal: Brazilian in focus, balanced in delivery, embracing boldness without bombast. It’s a cigar that stands up to time and conversation, demanding attention by design.

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CAO Flathead V450 Sparkplug Size: 4.5 × 50Vitola: Robusto (Box-Pressed)Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf MaduroBinder: Habano ConnecticutFillers: Nicaraguan and DominicanFlavor Notes: Espresso, black pepper, dark chocolate, charred oak, molasses, leather, burnt sugar, earthy grit, cocoa powder, smoky walnutPairing Notes: Espresso shot, root beer, spiced rum, smoked brisket, dark roast coffee, mole sauce, porter beer, brown sugar-glazed baconManufacturer: CAO Cigars; produced at STG Estelí (Scandinavian Tobacco Group), Nicaragua Privada Storytelling The Flathead Sparkplug isn’t just named after a car part—it hits like one. Short, square, and packed with torque, this cigar was built for gearheads and grinders alike. With its box-pressed muscle car aesthetic and dark, oily Broadleaf wrapper, it’s all attitude and no pretense. For Privada, this cigar captures a specific kind of American grit—where garages smell like oil, blues riffs echo off the walls, and smoke curls past a grease-stained toolbox. It's a cigar that doesn’t beg for attention—it earns it with every draw. Flavor Journey It launches with a powerful combo of black pepper and espresso, quickly settling into a rich base of charred oak and dark chocolate. Midway through, molasses and leather start to round out the profile, with smoky walnut and burnt sugar teasing the retrohale. Earthiness builds toward the final third, bringing cocoa powder and dry spice to the forefront. The short length intensifies the ride—no filler, just fire. Bold, unapologetic, and tuned for punch. Why It Belongs in Privada Because the V450 Sparkplug proves that big flavor can come in small, squared-up packages. It’s a lesson in compression—of form, combustion, and power. In Privada, we recognize cigars that break the rules with intention. This one does it while revving the engine and laying rubber. It’s Broadleaf bravado, custom-tuned and box-pressed for battle.

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