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Connecticut wrapper · Mild to medium

CAO Surplus Shade: flavour profile and cigars like it

CAO Surplus Shade is a handmade cigar made in Honduras. Its published strength is mild to medium. It has a Connecticut wrapper grown in Honduras and filler from the Dominican Republic. Our sources publish no tasting notes for it yet.

If you like it, the closest matches in the palate test are Camacho Connecticut and Rocky Patel Vintage 1999.

Published by Breaking Cigars · Editorial contact: Anatolie Clevan · Sources read · Independently fact-checked · How we built this

CAO Surplus Shade cigar
Cigar or packaging. Size not confirmed. Photo: neptunecigar.com. Framing by Breaking Cigars.

What does CAO Surplus Shade taste like?

No tasting notes in our sources yet, so this cigar has no flavour map. Its matches lean on wrapper, origin and strength.

How strong is it, and what's in it?

WrapperHonduran Connecticut
BinderEcuadorian Sumatra
FillerDominican Olor long-filler
StrengthMild to medium as published by cigora.com
BodyNot published
Made inHonduras
Made byLa Flor De Copán Honduras S.A.
FactorySTG Danlí
SizesRobusto 5×50 · Toro 6×50 · Gigante 6×60

Strength here means nicotine, which mostly comes from the filler. Wrapper colour is not a strength guide.

About CAO Surplus Shade

The line. CAO announced Surplus in July 2025, with an August 1 launch planned. premiumcigars.org

The brand. CAO International was founded by Cano Ozgener. ST acquired it on January 1, 2007. st-group.com

Cigars like CAO Surplus Shade

  1. Camacho ConnecticutClosest matchConnecticut wrapper · Mild to mediumSame Connecticut wrapper family, also made in Honduras, about the same strength.
  2. Rocky Patel Vintage 1999Also fitsConnecticut wrapper · MildSame Connecticut wrapper family, also made in Honduras, a step milder.
  3. Casa Carrillo Essence ConnecticutAlso fitsConnecticut wrapper · MildSame Connecticut wrapper family, also made in Honduras, a step milder.
  4. Las Cabrillas NaturalAlso fitsConnecticut wrapper · MildSame Connecticut wrapper family, also made in Honduras, a step milder.
  5. Sancho Panza OriginalOne step furtherConnecticut wrapper · MediumSame Connecticut wrapper family, also made in Honduras, a step stronger.

Picked by the palate test's own engine, as if you named CAO Surplus Shade as a favourite: never more than one strength step above it, plain tobacco only, one cigar per brand.

Sources