First, let me say I can’t take credit for finding these. Need to thank Chris from anicetightash.com for tweeting about these.
Similar to the MX3, the CAO Bratalia is part of the CAO Escaparate collection. The collection consists of concept cigars, special occasion cigars and generally cigars that CAO didn’t have the resources to make enough cigars for a national release but enough for local retailers to sell. Each retailer is given exclusive rights to sell their Escaparate. In the case of the CAO Bratalia, exclusive rights are given to Old Virginia Tobacco.
Some of you remember way back in 2006, CAO released a special collection of cigars called “Brazilia vs. Italia: Artistry of Champions Sampler Set”. The set featured five, hard to roll, special figurados. Two of the cigars were Brazilia and two were Italia. The fifth cigar was a barber pole style cigar called the “Bratalia” which was a blend made from both the Brazilia and Italia blends. I don’t know if that Bratalia came before this one and CAO tried to recreate that Bratalia for a National release, thus this Bratalia was born. What I know about this Bratalia is all based on my own imagination so take it with a grain of salt.
Video runs 13 minutes and to be honest, I think the Bratalia isn’t anything special and is overly priced. I think the MX3 is still a better, richer cigar and better value. Maybe its not fair of me to compare it to the MX3, I don’t know.
The flavors of the Bratalia are decent flavors, a predominate sweet coffee, smokey oak flavor. The Bratalia burned well and had a good draw. But the flavors weren’t very rich and at $12 a cigar, I expected more or at least I was left wishing it had more. I do think if you’re a diehard CAO lover and/or want something interesting to have in your collection, you should pick some Bratalia’s up. I know I’ll keep some on hand to add something different in trades and box passes.
Ordering Information
The only place you can order the CAO Bratalia is from Old Virginia Tobacco. You can give them a call (1-800-999-6882) or if you don’t like human interaction, you can easily order from their website.
nice call on a Escaparate collection, great idea…Great review…
Nice review. I will probably order a couple of these just to try, but at $12 for a robusto I almost don’t want to like them for the sake of my wallet…LOL.
You’re right Jerry, if I’m going to spend $12, it better be one of the best I’ve ever had.
Jerry, excellent review…you’re right on it!!! I buy the majority of my cigars from OVTC (Pentagon City location) and Jeff introduced me to the CAO Bratalia last year. I agree it’s nothing special and the MX3 is much better. I’ve tried the Bratalia several different time with different drinks and it just doesn’t do it for me. Back to the MX3 for a minute, have you had burn problems with yours? You guys keep up the good reviews!!!
I was fortunate enough to have tried both the MX3 and the Bratalia figurado in the last month and have to say that I totally agree with your bottom line on both: the MX3 is phenomenal (and I wish CAO would see fit to sell it nationally) and the Bratalia is a better idea than it is a smoking experience. The Brat I had was very middle-of-the-road with a strong floral flavor that did not work well for me. I’m glad I got the chance to try it, though. When given the choice, I’ll stick with the Brazilia.
Great video Jerry and congrats on Germantown being 81 in the top 100. However, my city wasn’t in the Top 100 and clearly that’s a mistake since I live there heh. errr, maybe that’s why we didn’t make the Top 100, bah.
You know, as soon as I tweeted about the Bratalia I said to myself, “I bet Jerry beats me to the review.” LOL
Great review, and thanks for the mention. I’ll post my review in a couple months, see if anything changes.
Great review… Like your idea for the Escaparate humidor.
Keep up the great work!!
Jerry,
Have to say the price factor will keep away.
Stew
As usual Jerry, great review. The price point will probably keep me away on these. Your reviews always crack me up.. “Maybe a different size will be better- Thats what she said” LOL
Scott
I shop at OVTC in pentagon city all the time. They have a special for these: buy 4 CAO cigars and get a Bratalia for free. I was hesitant to buy one at 12 dollars but its a really good cigar to get thrown in when I can pick up 4 la traviatas.
I do like the sutble flavor on these. Its not really mild but its not harsh. I like them. I wish they were a normal price though… like 7-10 maybe.
Robusto cost me about $7.50….excellent cigar imo. course any cig that has an overall different profile than the thousands of other cigs has my attention.
BTT….smoking another tonight….this is an EXCELLENT cigar ladies.
give it another try Jer.
The cigar is not what I would consider a “pretty” cigar. It has a dark almost dirty looking wrapper with visible veins that are rough and rumpled. The pre-light draw seems nice and easy.
One thing that I like immediately after lighting this is that I don not get that horribly acrid bitter taste that is present on both the Brazilia and Italia lines.
As I puff away, it is quickly evident that the Bratalia is milder combined , than each of the lines individually.
It is earthy and sweet, with a little cocoa on the finish, which is short. There is not much complexity throughout the smoke.
The draw tightens up midway, and the burn is uneven for most of the smoke.
As I get to the end, I get a few charry flavors, and a little pepper, not quite what I would call hitting the sweet spot.
Overall, the cigar was pretty good, but not great. For the price and the limited nature of the cigar, I was expecting much more.