CAO Vision Robusto Catalyst

[Stogie]

[SIZE=2]They are finally here and they look great. About two weeks ago I called cigar stores here in town to see if anyone was going to be recieving any of the CAO Vision cigars. I thought that the pictures I had seen on the net looked really interesting and I really wanted to see the new boxes.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]Today I got a call that one of the shops had recieved two boxes of each size in and I had to run down to see them. I wanted the Robusto size marked as the Catalyst which is a 5x50. When I got there everyone was standing around looking at the three different sizes. I asked if they still had an unopened box of the Robustos and they did. I picked it up for $215 plus tax which I though was really fair. I had seen initial pricing at $324 a box but the local Briar Shoppe let me pick them up for $215.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]I also found that the Infinity size which is 6x50 sells for $255 and the Bellacoso 6.25x52 sells for $290. I decided to pick one of the Bellacosos out for future smoking.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]So I get back to work and pull the box out to show the guys. This is simply a great looking box indeed. Yes I know that it is a marketing ploy, but it makes our hobby interesting. It reminds me of the days when a new line of baseball cards would come out and everyone would run to the stores to get them. The box comes with 6 AAA batteries and a packet of the "humidipack" by CAO that sits at the bottom under the sticks. So far it is keeping them at 68% humidity and 72 degrees.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]Check out the pics of the box.[/SIZE]

Review to follow soon....

[jcruz1027]

Very impressive! Pictures I've seen of it previous to its release looked good but your pictures really shows off the "WOW" factor.

Is the neon blue lighting battery powered or something?

[Stogie]

Originally Posted by jcruz1027

Very impressive! Pictures I've seen of it previous to its release looked good but your pictures really shows off the "WOW" factor.

Is the neon blue lighting battery powered or something?

The 6 AA bateries take care of all the neon. I cracked the humi open this morning and it smells great.

[jcruz1027]

Wow...6 AA? How long is that supposed to last ya and did they at least come with the batteries?

[Stogie]

I was happy that the bateries were included. I will post how long they last. I asked about getting the box that is allready opened when the cigar shop sells them all but the shop owner wants to hold on to it. I guess I will just have to buy another box if I want another humidor. The digital is really sharp.

[TampaCigarMan]

That's nice! I am SOLD! I'll have to get my hands on one ASAP.

[Stogie]

I talked to the cigar store that sold me my box and they are going to hold the empty humidor for me when they sell all the individuals out of it so I can have one of these to replace my desktop humi at work. We agreed that a fair price wa $75 just for the humi.

[TampaCigarMan]

Nice! I think is well worth it, if it holds the humidity. Keep me posted on how that goes.

[terrasco-cl]

Wow, sounds like a good deal. Great picks! The box is great presentation and the sticks look sweet. Can't wait for a review. There has been a lot of buzz about the Vision.

[DWSCBob]

Originally Posted by Stogie

[SIZE=2]... It reminds me of the days when a new line of baseball cards would come out and everyone would run to the stores to get them. .[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]Check out the pics of the box.[/SIZE]

Review to follow soon....

But back then we were excitied about eh contents of the package, not the package itself. I am not so sure this is a good thing for the cigar business.

[Dogwatch Dale-cl]

Originally Posted by DWSCBob

But back then we were excitied about eh contents of the package, not the package itself. I am not so sure this is a good thing for the cigar business.

On the other hand, if it gets someone to try some premium Dominican cigars (made by the La Aurora folks for CAO) and the product is good, why not?
We're scheduled to smoke & review this cigar in a few weeks. We'll see if the product supports the packaging or the packaging supports the product.

BTW Bob, better get an intro thread up so everyone knows who this naysayer is.

[terrasco-cl]

Originally Posted by DWSCBob

But back then we were excitied about eh contents of the package, not the package itself. I am not so sure this is a good thing for the cigar business.

Excellent point. This is good for the part of the cigar business that caters to the casual smoker that only smokes to impress somebody or smokes infrequently.

Those of us that are passionate about quality and taste are lost to this kind of marketing.

The danger is that the cigar companies waste their resources on marketing and neglect the product, spending their money on strobe lights and not on quality leaf.

[TampaCigarMan]

I was just talking to a cigar shop owner today, and he was concerned about having to buy the whole thing every time they reorder the cigars, as they can't just order the cigars without the Vision box and that add up to their cost. I suggested they sell the boxes afterwards to recoup their money but still it's a point to consider.

[Stogie]

I have my name on another empty humidor here in Houston and the shop owner set the price at $75 for it when the cigars are sold out of it. I tell you I bought the box before I could smoke the cigars. I just really liked the way it looks. So a retailer can not just reorder the cigars with out the humi? That is not good.

[DWSCBob]

I too worry that in the long run this marketing trend may be good for cigar makers and bad for customers by raising the cost of cigars. Cigar prices are set to rise again shortly. I agree that it may help get new smokers to try a new cigar, but it seems to me that what the retailers and the makers need are repeat, loyal customers. Otherwise it becomes like the auto business where you are just selling the latest feel good, instant gratification product.
And how many of you would buy more than one Vision box? Even if the cigar is taste treat and the best you ever had, how many of tose battery powered boxes do you need/want?
Los Blancos put out a product in a special box that can be a humidor but they also sell refills. A reasonable ide.