CAO: Bestseller
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CAO Cigars: A Union of Craftsmanship and Culture
It may be a coincidence in the colorful, centuries-old history of the cigar, but the parallels between Avo Uvezian and his cigar brand AVO and Cano Aret Özgener, whose CAO cigar empire is firmly rooted in the hearts of aficionados, are striking. Both come from ancient Middle Eastern trading cultures—Özgener was born in 1937 as a Turk of Armenian descent in Istanbul's Moda district.
Their lives were filled with twists and turns that ultimately led them to their destiny: dedicating their lives to the development and refinement of premium cigars. Both are connected to music—Uvezian as a trained pianist and Özgener as a violinist who found his home in Nashville, Tennessee, a city known for its country music. Perhaps this connection explains why both brands and why CAO Cigars rank among the finest premium long fillers that cigar lovers can enjoy.
Early Cigar Ventures
Özgener, better known as Cano A. Özgener in his adopted US homeland, is one of the few internationally recognized cigar manufacturers with a face and story behind the brand. Although tobacco had played a role early in his life, it was more due to the centuries-old pipe-smoking traditions of his Turkish heritage than personal consumption. Özgener initially pursued a completely different path.
In 1961, the intelligent and resourceful young man emigrated to the USA to study mechanical engineering at Columbia University in New York. During his studies, he met his future wife, Esen, which led him to North Carolina to start a family. A natural tinkerer, Özgener initially worked on designing tobacco pipes and improving their draw and combustion.
He moved his family to Nashville, Tennessee, where, by the late 1960s, his custom-designed meerschaum pipes gained recognition. These pipes were crafted in Eskişehir, a Turkish city renowned for this art form. By 1977, he left his engineering position at DuPont to focus entirely on his own business. Soon, he expanded his offerings to include humidors and intricately decorated wooden boxes repurposed as cigar cases. In 1980, he attempted to venture into cigar production—but failed. In 1995, he partnered with seasoned Cuban experts Nestor Plasencia and Carlos Toraño for a second attempt—this time under the now-famous CAO label. The cigar boom in the U.S. was in full swing. The "Black" became CAO’s first cigar to make a lasting market impact, embodying his commitment to perfection.
Back in Black: The Renaissance of CAO Cigars
In 2002, the "Black" returned, marking the comeback of one of Özgener's most iconic cigars. The blends, originally born out of necessity, became a hallmark of CAO Cigars. These blends offer a wide range of flavors and intensities, making CAO a favorite among aficionados.
Perfection in Detail
CAO strives for perfection both inside and out. Attractive packaging is integral to the cigar experience, with Özgener's creative son, Murat (Tim), designing innovative cigar boxes that make exploring the cigars inside a joy.
After Özgener retired from the business, he passed away in 2018. Today, CAO is part of the Scandinavian Tobacco Group, which has introduced new lines and retired others, continuing the brand's legacy of innovation.
The World of CAO Cigars
Within STG’s portfolio, CAO stands out as one of its most experimental labels. For example, the Session Cigars feature a dark and oily Broadleaf wrapper, while the Bones line is a nod to Caribbean gaming traditions.
The Limited Edition cigars and the CAO Pilon stand out. The Pilon uses tobacco fermented in small piles following traditional methods, enhancing burn quality and flavor. This attention to detail makes CAO a truly exceptional brand in the cigar world.
