Following in the likes of the CX2, LX2 and MX2, CAO will now have a BX3. The name is a reference to the blend having “three times the Brazilian tobaccos.”

Specifically, it uses Brazilian tobaccos for its wrapper, binder and part of the filler. This includes a mata fina wrapper, an Arapiraca binder and fillers from Brazil, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua. The Bx3 is rolled at STG Estelí in Nicaragua and it will debut in three regular production sizes:

  • CAO BX3 Robusto (5 x 52) — $8.99 (Box of 20, $179.80)
  • CAO BX3 Toro (6 x 54) — $9.49 (Box of 20, $189.80)
  • CAO BX3 Gordo (6 x 60) — $10.49 (Box of 20, $209.80)

“Being trailblazers of tobacco is in CAO’s DNA, and with BX3, we’re continuing to pilot the path,” said Ed Lahmann, CAO’s senior brand manager, in a press release. “Our inspiration was the legendary X series which had put our blending expertise on the map. With BX3, we set out to take the best of Brazilian tobacco and bring it to the next level. The easy thing to do would have been to make a Brazilian puro. Our blending team went that route, and it felt like we were just dialing it in. So they kept at it, peppering in Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Mexican tobaccos in just the right proportions to add character, dimension and layers to the smoke. We’re really proud of the way the blend turned out. To us, BX3 is everything a Brazilian-centric smoke should be. It’s memorable, savory and thought-provoking and it complements our portfolio beautifully.”

General Cigar Co. will begin shipping the CAO BX3 during the first week of July.

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Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.