One of the many things CAO is famous for is re-popularizing the use of Brazilian tobaccos in premium handmade cigars, and the new CAO Fuma Em Corda raises the bar even further. You are probably unaware of the traditional Amazonian method of twisting and binding freshly harvested tobaccos into a thick, rope-like shape for six months of fermentation. It is called, not surprisingly, ‘fuma en corda,’ and it is not just the inspiration for this stogie’s name. The Brazilian Arapiraca that forms the core of the filler blend is transformed into succulent, juicy smoking tobacco using the same ages-old process. Throw in a portion of ultra-rare Brazilian Bragança, some Honduran and Nicaraguan longleaf, and wrap it all beneath a Cameroon binder and Honduran Colorado wrapper and we have got a winner, folks.
The CAO Fuma Em Corda represents the marriage of ancient art and modern craft and is a marvel of flavor and complexity. Decorated with a simply twisted tobacco cord instead of a printed band, each 6” X 58 vitola is redolent with the aroma of leather and cedar; the rugged wrapper is toothy, oily, and ready for a good flame. A deep earthiness like the fertile soils of the Amazon basin is the main component of the silky plumes of smoke, backed by syrupy sweet and nutty tobacco flavors. The profile continues to expand like a slowly flowing river as the burn line progresses, with coffee, red pepper, dark chocolate, baking spices, and leather all bobbing to the surface.
A once in a lifetime experience, jump in with both feet and prepare to be swimming in flavor after just a few puffs of the CAO Fuma em Corda. Cresting at a smooth medium-full in strength, there’s a bottomless well of satisfaction in every roughhewn box of 20 Toros. Released as a one-time and very limited production yet priced to move quickly, you will want to get yours now or miss the boat forever.