Two samplers, two ways to explore

The NUB Tubos 4-Cigar Sampler and the CAO World Sampler both let you try several cigars without committing to a box, but they take different approaches. NUB focuses on one short, wide size across four wrapper styles, while CAO gathers four blends inspired by its harvesting regions. Your choice depends on whether you want to compare wrappers in a single format or explore a broader flavor spectrum.

Format and packaging: tubos vs open sampler

  • NUB Tubos 4-Cigar Sampler: Each of the four cigars is a 4 x 60 handmade Nicaraguan cigar, individually packaged in a protective tube. The short, wide shape is designed to reach the flavor quickly, and the tubo makes it easy to carry or gift without crushing the cigar.
  • CAO World Sampler: The sampler includes four cigars—Brazilia Gol, Columbia Vallenato, Italia Ciao, and American Potomac—in a 5 x 56 size. They are not individually tubed, so you'll need a humidor or travel case for protection.

What you get in each sampler

  • NUB Tubos 4-Cigar Sampler: Includes one each of NUB Connecticut, Cameroon, Habano, and Maduro blends, all in a 4 x 60 format. Lets you compare four wrapper styles side by side in the same size, ideal for learning how wrapper affects flavor.

    NUB Tubos 4-Cigar Sampler

    NUB Tubos 4-Cigar Sampler

  • CAO World Sampler: Includes Brazilia Gol, Columbia Vallenato, Italia Ciao, and American Potomac, each 5 x 56. Offers a tour of CAO's regional blends, with a slightly longer and narrower smoke than the NUB.

    CAO World Sampler

    CAO World Sampler

Flavor profiles: focused vs eclectic

NUB's four blends progress from the smoother, creamier Connecticut with gentle sweetness and nutty notes, through a balanced Cameroon, to a spicier Habano, and finally a fuller Maduro with darker, richer flavors. This lineup is a structured lesson in wrapper variation. The CAO World Sampler, by contrast, draws on tobaccos from Brazil, Colombia, Italy, and the USA, offering a wider range of origins and strengths. The catalog describes it as a celebration of flavors and shades from CAO's different harvesting regions, from Brazilian Ligero to Italian dark leaves. If you want to taste how wrapper leaves change a single size, NUB is the clearer teacher; if you want a broader tour of regional blending, CAO delivers more variety.

Value and practical considerations

  • Price per cigar: The NUB sampler contains 4 cigars at a catalog price of $55.12, while the CAO sampler contains 4 cigars at $38.92. That makes the CAO the lower-cost entry point per cigar, though both offer savings over their comparison prices.
  • Smoking time: The NUB's 4 x 60 size is short and wide, designed for a quicker, concentrated smoke. The CAO's 5 x 56 is slightly longer, likely giving a somewhat longer smoking time. Neither record specifies exact burn times.
  • Protection and portability: NUB's individual tubos make it more travel-friendly and gift-ready. The CAO sampler's cigars are not tubed, so you'll need to provide your own humidified storage if you don't plan to smoke them soon.
  • Beginner friendliness: Both samplers are suitable for newcomers, but for different reasons: NUB's consistent size and tubos reduce variables, while CAO's lower price and varied strengths let you explore without a big commitment. The CAO's strength is listed as 'Various,' so you may encounter fuller-bodied smokes like the Brazilia.

Which sampler should you choose?

Choose the NUB Tubos 4-Cigar Sampler if you want to compare wrapper styles in a single, short-smoke format, value the convenience of tubos for travel or gifting, and prefer a structured tasting exercise. Choose the CAO World Sampler if you're looking for a lower-cost introduction to a range of regional blends, don't mind providing your own storage, and want to experience CAO's diverse portfolio. Both are solid choices for anyone building a sampler collection or shopping for a cigar-loving friend.

Product facts at a glance

  • NUB Tubos 4-Cigar Sampler: NUB Tubos 4-Cigar Sampler: 4 x 60 handmade Nicaraguan cigars in Connecticut, Cameroon, Habano, and Maduro blends; individually tubed. Confirms the consistent size and protective packaging that define this sampler.
  • CAO World Sampler: CAO World Sampler: 5 x 56 cigars including Brazilia Gol, Columbia Vallenato, Italia Ciao, and American Potomac; strength listed as Various. Highlights the regional variety and slightly larger ring gauge compared to NUB.