CAO

This is a tasty, 90-rated, unique blend made from slow-fermented tobaccos. Slow-fermented because they've hearkened back to a Cuban technique for fermenting tobacco used in the 1800s, employing a circular pilon. A conventional pilon today is basically a big stack of tobacco grouped by type and organized in 'hands'...essentially a square or rectangular pile (imagine a cord of wood). Over time this creates heat, and the hands are rotated in a systematic fashion to avoid overheating until fermentation is complete. The circular pilon is different. Tobaccos are carefully placed in a circular grouping which ferments tobacco at a much slower pace. This allows the tobacco to retain more flavor, roundness, and balance. Ultimately the difference is palpable...something akin to slow roasting all day on charcoal vs. firing up the stainless steel gas grill.