back to top

Q & A: To Rock the Band or Not

Q.
Should you remove the band from your cigar while enjoying it?

10/08/17 | by CG in New York, NY

A.

This, like so many etiquette questions solely relies on the individual, but there are a few schools of thought on the subject. Some believe that leaving bands on will avoid damaging the cigar, because glue can to the cigar wrapper.
There those who believe that they should be removed when enjoying premiums with others. The idea here is that the price of a cigar shouldn’t matter, nor should the brand when you’re in the company of friends and family, so taking the band off levels the playing field. 
I don’t like to take chances, so unless a band covers more than half of the cigar, I leave it on. 



by John

Review: CAO Fuma em Corda

John Exotic Flavors From CAO

CAO may be one of the most adventurous cigar brands in the business. Its blends take enthusiasts off the beaten path with tobaccos procured in regions not often utilized by most cigar brands. A prime example of this is CAO’s Fuma Em Corda, literally translated to “smoke on a rope.” Named for a process native to Brazil, part of Fuma Em Corda’s blend of long fillers consists of Brazilian Arapiraca tobacco that is twisted into a braid and left to ferment. This tobacco is combined with long fillers from Nicaragua, Honduras, and Brazil, and encased by a Honduran Colorado Oscuro wrapper. 

Something that strikes me as brilliant about this cigar (and all of the cigars in the CAO Amazon Basin Series) is the branding. Each cigar has a rustic appearance with a thin string of bound tobacco replacing the band. I tend to gravitate toward cigars with little details like this, because it shows a real appreciation for the tobaccos used, plus it just looks cool. 

As for the cigar itself, the flavor is as unique as its aesthetic. Notes of espresso, caramel, and black pepper give this medium to full-bodied premium a truly unique profile with exquisite complexity. What’s really unique about this cigar is the fact that you can actually burn through the “band” without any adverse effects, because as mentioned, it’s made of tobacco. 

CAO has definitely cornered the market when it comes to exotic cigars and Fuma Em Corda is a prime example of this. Well-made with flavor to spare, this cigar is an absolute gem that will certainly impress any aficionado looking for something a little different. 


Article Image
100% satisfaction guaranteed
Get the Latest Deals!
Sign Up for email