CAO Italia Ciao

The Italia is CAO's tribute to Italian tobacco culture, and it has a genuinely unusual claim to fame: it actually contains tobacco grown in the Benevento region of Italy from Cuban Habano seed. That Italian leaf is blended with Nicaraguan and Peruvian filler and finished with a rich Honduran Colorado Maduro wrapper. The Ciao, at 5 x 56, is the short and stout shape in the line.

What it tastes like

It leans earthy and sweet at the same time — cedar and a soft, almost dried-fruit sweetness up front, with leather and a nutty roundness underneath. There's a gentle spice that keeps it interesting without ever turning sharp. It smokes as a true medium, which makes it an easy, flavorful choice for an afternoon.

That balance is what makes the Ciao such a good everyday smoke: enough character to keep you engaged, not so much strength that it wears you out. If you're still finding your footing with body and power, the cigar strength guide is worth a read.

The Italia is one of those cigars people remember because of its story — there aren't many blends out there with real Italian leaf in them. Track it in the Casa DNC app and rate it against the bigger Gondola size to see which format you prefer.