CAO Cigars: Perfectly Combining Craftsmanship and Enjoyment
The history of the cigar is long and diverse, offering fascinating parallels between Avo Uvezian and his cigar label AVO and Cano Aret Özgener, the founder of CAO. Both hail from the ancient merchant cultures of the Middle East – Özgener was born in 1937 as a Turk of Armenian descent in Istanbul.
Their lives were marked by twists and turns that eventually led them to perfect their passion for cigars. They also shared a love of music: Uvezian as a pianist and Özgener as a violinist, who found his new home in Nashville, the city of country music. This creative passion is reflected in the CAO cigars, which rank among the finest premium longfillers.
The Journey to CAO
Cano A. Özgener is one of the few cigar makers with a fascinating personal story. Tobacco played a role in his life early on, not through consumption, but through the tradition of pipe smoking in his Turkish homeland. Nevertheless, he initially took a different path: in 1961, he emigrated to the United States and studied mechanical engineering at Columbia University.
After completing his studies, he moved to North Carolina, where he began improving tobacco pipes. In the 1960s, he found early success with his meerschaum pipes, which were crafted in Eskişehir, the Turkish home of meerschaum artistry. In 1977, he decided to leave his job at DuPont and fully dedicate himself to his own business.
In 1980, he ventured into cigars for the first time but failed. However, in 1995, with the help of experts Nestor Plasencia and Carlos Toraño, he achieved a breakthrough with the CAO label. The first successful cigar, the “Black,” established itself as a lasting success and showcased Özgener’s pursuit of perfection.
The Renaissance of CAO Cigars
In 2002, the “Black” returned, improved and even more aromatic. The artful blends became a hallmark of the brand, offering aficionados a wide selection – from strong to mild flavors, there’s something for everyone.
Creative Design
CAO represents not only exceptional tobacco but also innovative packaging. Murat Özgener, the creative son of the founder, designs extraordinary box designs, making the discovery of the cigars an experience in itself. Today, the brand is part of the Scandinavian Tobacco Group, which has expanded the portfolio and introduced new lines such as the Session cigars.
The Limited Edition is particularly remarkable, while the CAO Pilon impresses with traditionally fermented tobacco. This elaborate technique ensures a unique flavor and significantly improves burn behavior.
