CAO Amazon Basin Dagger: A Compact Return of a Cult Favourite
The beloved CAO Amazon Basin blend returns in a bold new format: the Dagger, a 4 x 38 half-lancero, begins shipping to retailers today in limited quantities.
STG has officially announced the release of the CAO Amazon Basin Dagger, a new size in its popular Amazon Basin line. Measuring just 4 inches long with a slim 38 ring gauge, the Dagger is a short-format take on a blend that has captivated cigar aficionados since its debut in 2014. It delivers the same jungle-sourced mystique, now in a quicker, sharper format ideal for those seeking a full-bodied experience in less time.
Despite the reduced size, the Dagger maintains the original Amazon Basin blend: an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and fillers from the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Brazil. The standout component remains the Bragança tobacco, cultivated in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. This leaf is grown organically on untouched tropical terrain, harvested, and hand-rolled into carottes—fermented bundles that undergo unique high-pressure curing before being ferried out of the rainforest by canoe.
The Daggers are produced at STG Estelí in Nicaragua, with no official production numbers revealed—only that they are being released in limited quantities. Sold in packs of five for $24.99, they are poised to sell out quickly.
“Amazon Basin fans are some of the most passionate in the cigar world,” said Cory Beardsley, CAO’s brand manager. “We’ve seen how quickly the original sells out… Daggers are our answer to that. It’s the same blend, same rainforest story, now available in a new format.”
Since its debut, the Amazon Basin has seen several releases: in 2014, 2016, 2022, 2024, and again earlier in 2025. In January 2023, the Amazon Basin Extra Añejo arrived—aged two years in cedar rooms at STG Estelí. A Rothschild vitola (4.5 x 50) has also been introduced for the European market, further demonstrating the line’s international appeal.
With its exotic tobacco origins and rich, earthy profile, the Dagger is sure to intrigue both loyal fans and newcomers alike—especially those drawn to distinctive smokes with a story.
