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Cigar Review: CAO LX2 Robusto
By Jesse | July 21, 2008 |
Company: CAO Cigars
Line: Lx2
Vitola: Robusto 5 X 48
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Nicaragua and Dominican Republic
Flavor: Full
Strength: Medium-Full
Drink: Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon
Price: $6 to $8 each
This is my first review from the cigars I got while at the 2008 IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas. I figured I’d start with the CAO Lx2, since CAO’s new cigar is the one everyone wants to know about. The Lx2 is part of the x2 series from CAO which includes the Mx2 and the Cx2. I’ve heard some rumors that the Cx2 is going to be discontinued, but didn’t get a chance to confirm that.
Lx2 stands for Ligero times two and stands for the two different ligeros in the filler. One is from Nicaragua and the other is out of the Dominican Republic. The wrapper is out of Nicaragua and the binder is grown in Honduras. That winds up the details on this cigar, let’s see how it smokes.
Construction: I got the chance to smoke two different robustos and have no complaints about either one. The wrapper has some obvious veins and a touch toothy, but not a bad looking smoke. No glaring soft spots or construction flaws. The prelight draw was easy, and had a mix of sweetness and spice to it.
Burn: If I have any issues with CAO’s cigars it is typically in the burn department, although these burned beautifully. I had to touch up the first one I tried just once and it wasn’t it terrible. It was more or less an excuse to play with my new lighter. The ash held on decently and only got knocked off on the table once. You may want to keep an eye on it.
Flavor: A subtle earthiness hides behind a semi-sweet chocolate flavor and some definite spice. The spice flavors were a bit tough to nail down, some definite black pepper, but I was also reminded me of jalapeno, a mix of heat and sweetness. After the trade show, my taste buds have not quite recovered so I may have missed some more subtle flavors in the mix. What really struck me is the sweetness I picked up; it really balanced out the spice nicely. I paired one of these cigars up with some Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon and they went together splendidly.
Verdict: When the CAO America was released many felt it didn’t live up to the hype; this cigar is a different story. I was expecting something along the lines of a stronger CAO Brazilia, and expecting something that was all spice. Instead it kind of reminds me of a mix between the CAO Mx2 and CAO Brazilia. Even after all the cigars I smoked in Las Vegas the CAO Lx2 stands out. When they hit the shelves at my local shop I’m picking up a box.
Popularity: 40% [?]
Tags: CAO Cigars, Cigar Reviews, Ligero, LX2, Nicaragua
Topics: Cigar Reviews | 8 Comments »
8 Responses to “Cigar Review: CAO LX2 Robusto”
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July 21st, 2008 at 10:16 am
really nice site,
me too love Cigars….
July 21st, 2008 at 11:34 am
Great review Jesse. This is at the top of my list of new stuff to try as soon as I can get my hands on it.
July 21st, 2008 at 1:46 pm
I asked my local B&M to bring me back one from the show for review. I’m going to see him later on tonight, lets hope he comes through for me!
October 10th, 2008 at 11:58 am
[...] him on the phone and redo the interview. If you were in Cincinnati on Oct. 7th and you missed the CAO Rock n Rolled Tour stop, you better have a damn good [...]
December 11th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
[...] just forwarded me a few details on Cigar Insiders rating of the CAO LX2. Cigar Insider is the bi-monthly newsletter published by Cigar Aficionado magazine, widely [...]
December 13th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Just wrote about it. I think I enjoyed the MX 2 more than the LX 2. I got a malted milkball dusted with pepper taste to it. Might sound gross, but it tasted good.
December 14th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
[...] Another take from CigarJack: “When the CAO America was released many felt it didn’t live up to the hype; this cigar is a different story. I was expecting something along the lines of a stronger CAO Brazilia, and expecting something that was all spice. Instead it kind of reminds me of a mix between the CAO Mx2 and CAO Brazilia. Even after all the cigars I smoked in Las Vegas the CAO Lx2 stands out. When they hit the shelves at my local shop I’m picking up a box.” [...]
August 11th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
These LX2’s look amazing! Thanks for the review. This is a very broad question, but hopefully someone will have an answer… Is there a way to make sure the CAO’s are handled properly by the middle-men? What I’m referring to is making sure that they’re kept in the proper humidityy /temperature between when they’re manufactured to when they get into my hands? It would be a shame to get a box of LX2’s to find out that they’re too dry and burn too fast because of improper handling. Thanks!