A few weeks ago, during the Havana House Windsor Cigar Cruise…

… I had the pleasure of meeting Jayce, who has been following my cigar journey on this blog and social media.

I really enjoy connecting with people this way, and I’m grateful that Jayce reached out to me at the event. It’s always interesting to swap stories, share recommendations, and discuss cigars with fellow enthusiasts—whether they’re new to the hobby or seasoned aficionados. This blog has definitely enabled me to have some great conversations and even friendships along the way.

When I asked Jayce which cigars he was enjoying the most at the moment, he immediately mentioned the CAO Amazon Basin. I had heard the name before but wasn’t too familiar with it. A couple of months later, we ran into each other again at The Summertime Smoke, and to my surprise, he kindly gifted me one of these cigars—from 2021. A thoughtful gesture I really appreciated—thank you again, Jayce! 🙏

This past weekend, I finally had the chance to try it. Before diving into my review, here’s a bit of background:

Background

Founded in 1968 by Cano Aret Ozgener, CAO Cigars began as a pipe company before transitioning into premium cigars in the 1990s. The brand quickly earned a reputation for innovation, sourcing distinctive tobaccos worldwide to create unique blends.

Acquired by STG (Scandinavian Tobacco Group) in 2007, CAO expanded its global reach while remaining committed to creativity.

The Amazon Basin Toro is one of CAO’s most distinctive limited releases. First introduced in 2014, it has returned in small batches over the years, often selling out quickly. The 2021 release continued CAO’s tradition of Amazon Basin editions, which includes the “Extra Añejo” (2023) and the “Dagger” (2025). Speculation is already circulating about a possible 2026 release.

What makes this cigar unusual is the Brazilian Bragança tobacco. It’s grown organically in the Amazon rainforest 😲, harvested by hand only once every three years, and then fermented in small “carottes” or bundles—making it difficult to produce in volume.

Here’s the deets:

Vitola: Toro
Ring Gauge: 52
Length: 6″
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Brazilian Bragança, Colombian, Dominican

The profile is generally described as medium-to-full-bodied, with earthy richness layered by sweet and spicy undertones.

My experience

I’ve tried a few CAO cigars before, including the CAO Flathead 770 (a big fat cigar), and while in the States, I smoked the US flag-branded edition. I’m pretty sure I also grabbed a sampler box from an airport last year, though I can’t seem to find any photos of it.

For this smoke, I went for a walk and settled on a park bench on a sunny day, feeling completely relaxed. When I cut the cap and lit my Amazon Basin, I instantly understood why Jayce raved about it. It was really refreshing.

My tasting notes (well those I jotted down on my phone at the time) included:

• Sweet
• Woody
• Oaky vanilla
• Fresh floral tones, almost perfumed
• Peppery spice
• Hints of ginger
• A bright freshness—very distinctive

Never noticed so many different transitions of flavour in a single cigar before 🤯.

My rating: 8.5/10

The CAO Amazon Basin Toro is memorable not just for its rarity, but for the way it balances depth and freshness. From its rainforest-grown Bragança tobacco to the evolving flavour journey, it’s clear why this cigar has built such a reputation 🙌.

A complex, evolving cigar with a distinctive character that stands out in CAO’s lineup – this honestly feels like it should be their signature cigar – as I swear this is the best CAO cigar I have smoked yet – it kinda stands out like the Arturo Fuente Short Story does – a really memorable cigar. I enjoyed it a lot.

It’s one worth trying if you get the chance—especially given how quickly it disappears whenever it’s released.

For more info on CAO see: https://www.caocigars.com/cigars/amazon-basin/