Brand: CAO Cigars
Line: MX2
Vitola: Robusto 5×52
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Brazilian Maduro
Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Peru
Flavor: Medium-Full
Strength: Medium
Price: $96.95 (Box of 20)
I’ve been on a CAO kick as of late and was preparing to review the CAO Brazilia, but Alex beat me to it. So I decided I’d to go back to one of the first cigars that really hooked me. I’d probably only smoked maybe 10 cigars at that point and was looking to try something different than the Arturo Fuentes I always picked up. There sat the Mx2, dark, dangerous and inviting with its black oily wrapper. I picked up a couple of the Toro’s and went down to the bar with a buddy of mine to grab a beer and enjoy some cigars. It was love on first puff and then some. I actually remember lighting up the second one right after the first because I’d enjoyed it so much.
Construction: I’ve smoked probably 10 CAO Mx2′s in the past few weeks preparing to do this review and I had one with a bad draw. The Mx2 is a bit intimidating with its black oily wrapper and black band. The cigar is firm and heavy; almost all had a great draw.
Burn: Typically this cigar burned very even, with a dark gray ash. I also found the Mx2 to burn fairly slow, taking a bit longer than your typical robusto.
Flavor: I didn’t remember this cigar being so complex, but I guess with tobacco from seven different countries your going to have some complexity. I could definitely pick out the flavors from the Connecticut Broadleaf. I smoked a Partagas Black Label recently and both have this earthy semi-sweet chocolate flavor, but the Mx2 has more depth. The smoke was heavy and seemed to coat the mouth like heavy cream.
Around the halfway mark the cigar starts to pick up some spice and lose the sweeter notes. Bitter chocolate, strong black coffee and a bit of red pepper were dominant at this point. The Mx2 seems to lose some of the creaminess at this point. I’d say the cigar finished out like this, becoming a bit too harsh for my tastes with about 1 1/2 inches to go.
Verdict: Even after a few years of smoking so many other cigars the Mx2 is still one of my favorites. If you do some shopping around you can find pretty good deals on these as they aren’t as heavily promoted as some of CAO’s newer cigars.
Popularity: 22% [?]
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
The CAO Mx2 is very good. I was not a big fan of CAO even tho my friends were. I did not like the Criolo, Brazilia and a few others I had tried, but I found the Mx2 to my liking and am now starting to find some CAO maduros that I am also starting to like!
I finally got around to smoking the Mx2 that had been in my humidor for about a year just last night. I really, really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I had to put it down after only finishing about half of it, as it was starting to give me an overpowering nicotine buzz.
However, I think this was mostly because I have not been getting enough sleep lately, rather than because the cigar is actually that strong, so I look forward to smoking one when I’m in better health, and will actually be able to properly finish it.
Adam, I can attest to the lack of sleep contributing to the buzz. I smoked a fairly mild cigar today and I felt a buzz from it. Surprised the heck out of me.
That is a sexy-looking cigar. Sounds like a good smoke, too.
@Jesse: So I’m not just a big wimp, then. Good to know. :)
CAO’s MX2 is a great Cigar! Albeit Strong…you have to have a strong palette to enjoy this one. It is not for the faint of heart…Enjoy!
MX2: This is hands down my favorite cigar to date. I enjoy a dark juicy cigar so it is right up my alley. A previous favorite was Partagas Black Label which I still have in the humi but I find myself driving to the local cigar shop for the MX2. Just an awesome tasting, great flowing, even burn cigar. AMEN!
My daily smoke and obviously one of my faves. I smoke in the neighborhood of 2 – 3 boxes a month of the belicoso. IMHO you won’t find a better cigar in the price range.
CAo gave these out at Big Smoke NYC and told you if you smoke it here and bring back the nub they would give you a new one. So everyone in the whole place was smoking them. Great Cigar Much smoother than expected for a somewhat full bodied cigar. also went great with the 9 glasses of scotch I had.
This is a very good and accurate review. I just had my first CAO Mx2 and you are spot on with your review. I’m still a cigar novice so I go online and read and listen to reviews on several websites and youtube and I must say it’s been quite pleasurable and quite an education although I have a LOT to learn especially with respect to identifying the different flavors etc. THANK YOU!!!!!
Picked up a MX2 Robusto at my local cigar shop last night. I had seen them in the humidor every time I go there, but hadn’t had any interest in trying one as I had so many others I wanted to try. Just decided to try something different and I am glad I did! I went back after work today and bought another one. I wanted to make sure it was as good as I thought it was….it was incredible! I’m shopping around for a good box price right now and will be ordering a box as soon as I find the best deal.
These cigars are the bomb! Full of great maduro flavor and just a joy to smoke. This is what cigar smoking was meant to be! Guys go out get your hands on some of these sticks and relax!!! To really up the enjoyment factor try them with a good steaming cup of coffee!!! Life is too short to smoke bad tobacco, so try these today!
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