For the past three years CAO has been releasing several holiday themed releases. This year, seven of these blends will be packaged up in a 14 count sampler called the CAO Holiday Horde. The sampler is now available just in time for the end of the year holidays. The sampler consists of six previously-released Christmas […]
Cigar Review: CAO Consigliere Associate
William Cooper Reviews 4 Comments 3.5 - Box Split, 88-90, CAO, General, Review
The CAO Consigliere is a cigar that made its debut at the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show. The Consigliere is a re-incarnation of the original CAO Sopranos Edition blend. It was back in 2005 (prior to the acquisition by General Cigar) when CAO Cigars entered into a licensing agreement with HBO to launch the CAO Sopranos […]
Cigar News: CAO Amazon Basin Returns
William Cooper Cigar News 1 Comment CAO, General, News
The CAO Amazon Basin, a limited edition cigar from 2014 which arguably has been one of the most sought after releases in the history of the brand has now made a return. The Amazon Basin blend incorporates a rare / low yield of tobacco called Brazilian Braganca. Back when we initially reported on the CAO […]
Cigar Review: Toraño Vault TM-027 Robusto
William Cooper Reviews 1 Comment 3.5 - Box Split, 88-90, General, Toraño
The Torano Vault TM-027 is one of four new blends rolled out by General Cigar Company under Torano Cigars’ Vault line. These blends represent the first new Torano blends developed by General Cigar since it acquired the brands of Torano Family Cigars back in 2014. It was in 2011 when the Torano Vault line made its debut under […]
Feature Story: A Look Back at the Michael Giannini Era At General Cigar
William Cooper Feature Story No Comments Feature Story, Foundry, General, La Gloria Cubana, People
On September 22, 2016, it was confirmed that Michael Giannini, Creative Director and Director of Innovation had departed General Cigar Company. Over the past decade, Giannini one can make the argument that Giannini became the face of General Cigar. Giannini brought a dynamic, flamboyant, and unconventional approach to the cigar business. Whether you agreed or disagreed with […]
Cigar News: Michael Giannini Departs General Cigar
William Cooper Cigar News 1 Comment Foundry, General, La Gloria Cubana, News, People
The Michael Giannini era at General Cigar Company has come to a close. Giannini, the dynamic personality who served as the company’s Creative Director and Director of Innovation has departed the company. Word of Giannini’s split with General Cigar surfaced earlier this week. Last night, both General Cigar and Giannini confirmed the split to Cigar […]
Cigar News: General Cigar Launches House Blend at the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments 2016 Preview, General, House Blend, IPCPR 2016, News
At the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show, General Cigar Company launched three new value-priced brands. One of these new brands is a bundle offering that is geared specifically for brick and mortar retailers – appropriately called “House Blend”. House Blend is a line that comes unbranded. General Cigar says the line is specifically geared for an […]
Cigar News: General Cigar Unveils Odyssey at 2016 IPCPR
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments 2016 Preview, General, IPCPR 2016, News, Odyssey
At the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show, General Cigar Company launched three new value-priced brands. One of these new brands is a bundle offering known as Odyssey. Odyssey will be available in two blends.The Odyssey Habano consists of a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper, Honduran, binder, and all Nicaraguan filler. This version of the Odyssey is described as […]
Cigar News: Don Tomas Nicaragua Launched for U.S. Market at 2016 IPCPR
William Cooper Cigar News 1 Comment Don Tomas, General, IPCPR 2016, News
Don Tomas has been one of the quieter lines in the General Cigar portfolio, but last year a new blend called the Don Tomas Nicaragua was released to Europe. At this year’s IPCPR Trade Show, the Don Tomas Nicaragua was showcased to the U.S. market. Although not a Nicaragua puro, the Don Tomas Nicaragua […]
Cigar News: General Cigar Releases Macanudo Vintage Cigars
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments 2016 Preview, General, IPCPR 2016, Macanudo, News
At the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show, General Cigar brought back to two of its old Macanudo Vintage Cabinet Selection releases – the Macanudo Vintage Cabinet 1984 and the Macanudo Vintage Cabinet 1988. As the name indicates, each of these releases contain vintage tobaccos from 1984 and 1988. What makes these cigars even more special is that […]