A good deal of flavor is packed into the Edmundo that makes it a pleasing smoke that offers complexity throughout. At the start wood seems to be the dominant flavor, and some leather is also noticeable. Coffee comes into the mix eventually, as does a creamy vanilla flavor that is really enjoyable. A bit of cedar pops in, and some nutty and spicy pepper flavors also add to the overall profile. The Edmundo is not too overwhelming, and is not too mild either.

The Edmundo is a good cigar that backs up Montecristo's reputation for quality products. It has the satisfactory construction one would come to expect, and minus the touch-ups, burns well. The flavors offered are complex and keep it from venturing into the monotonous zone. At approximately $13 for a single, the Edmundo is not cheap. That being said, if you are looking for a quality cigar and feel like indulging a bit, pick one up. You can also find them in boxes of 25 or packs of 3.

The Montecristo Edmundo gets a solid 3 out of 4 star rating.

CAO La Traviata Radiante

The La Traviata line by CAO was created to revive the traditional style of Cuban cigars. La Traviata was the name of a brand that began in Cuba in the early 1900's. CAO wanted to introduce their own cigars that reflected the original La Traviata in terms of its flavor and appearance, and they were successful in doing so with the creation of this recent line. Are they successful in their replication efforts to inject some old world style into modern times? We shall see...

The Radiante offering of the La Traviata line measures 6 x 52. Other sizes in the line include: the 7 x 54 Intrepido, the 5 1/2x 52 Favorito, the 5 x 50 Divino, and the 5 5/8x 46 Animados. The cigar's filler is a blend of Nicaraguan Pueblo Nuevo and Dominican tobaccos. It has a Cameroon binder, and is highlighted by its Colorado Brown Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The La Traviata line is handmade at CAO's factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. The cigar is considered to fall in between the medium and full-bodied categories.