CAO has announced the release of its newest addition to the Arcana lineup, the CAO Thunder Smoke. This release is notable for being the first in CAO’s history to feature tobacco from South Africa and Zimbabwe, alongside the more familiar Cameroonian leaf. The name “Thunder Smoke” is inspired by Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, which the local Sotho people call “Mosi-Oa-Tunya,” or “The Smoke That Thunders.”
The Zimbabwean filler tobacco used in CAO Thunder Smoke is grown in the Limpopo River Basin, near the iconic Victoria Falls. This tobacco is part of a five-country blend that highlights the unique qualities of African-grown leaf, marking a first for CAO. The blend is rounded out with a Honduran Olancho San Augustin (OSA) wrapper and a binder from Mexico’s San Andrés Valley, resulting in a globally influenced cigar.
Ed Lahmann, Senior brand manager for CAO said, “With CAO Thunder Smoke, we are pushing the boundaries of cigar making, venturing into uncharted territories to craft an unparalleled smoking experience. Our mantra, ‘We Go Where The Tobacco Takes Us,’ has guided us to innovate and redefine the industry standard. This release is not just a milestone for CAO, but a bold leap forward for the entire cigar world.”
Thunder Smoke will mark the third blend in the Arcana series, following the CAO Arcana Mortal Coil and CAO Arcana Firewalker releases. Described as a medium-bodied cigar, Thunder Smoke is said to offer notes of earth, hazelnut, and raisin. The cigars were rolled at General Cigar’s Santiago factory in the Dominican Republic, being offered in a single Toro Grande size (6½” × 52) with an SRP of $12.99 per cigar. The cigars are set to ship in early September, with availability expected by mid-month.
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