Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight I enjoy a CAO MX2 while bathing under the
street lights. After much time this stick is given a frolic welcoming. Right away,
I must confess this is my favorite of the CAO “Trifecta” the other two of which have been
previously reviewed here(CX2 and LX2). In continuation with the "X2" theme, this particular
stick was named after the double maduro leaf found in the wrapper as well as the binder.
Blend Specifics:
Vitola: Toro (6 x 54)
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro,
Binder:Brazilian Maduro
Filler:long-fillers from Nicaragua, Honduras, Peru, and the
Dominican Republic
Appearance and Construction
This cigar has a blatant dark wrapper that feels very toothy to
the touch, with two very noticeable veins running the full length of the
cigar which I found personally obtrusive. The color on this stick was
somewhat spotty and appeared dirty. Although, the pre-light smell was
pleasant the cigar is not very appealing to the eye and a little further
gaze revealed the cigar to be somewhat crooked.The Band looks very different
than that of the LX2 but some what resembles the CX2 without the curves. With
clean lines and its sophisticated look it has a subtle elegance and maturity
that I think is perfectly understated however, it does somewhat resemble the
iconic cat burglar mask. Accordingly, I chuckled and proceeded to cut and
light.
Taste & Smoking Characteristics
Delicately holding with one hand and a quick snip with the other....
easy straight cut. Test the pre-light draw(perfect). Pulled out my Xikar
EX lighter and began toasting while rotating the cigar to achieve that
perfect red ring. A sequence that has been practiced often and perfected
over the years. First taste profile that comes to mind is expresso coffee
just like mama makes the old fashion way with the strainer. Shortly after
the spice starts to linger in the background and remains there. As I
continued to puff away the short spice and woody finish continued and I
tasted what I though was very much like toffee like someone was playing
with an off/on switch.
Visually, the ash revealed to be a beautiful light grey and tight.
The burn in general was flawless. I should mention that this stick has been
in my humidor for over 7 months.
By the end of the first third I had a sudden craving for a dark
stout beer so, I picked up a Guinness (all I could find). The pairing
really brought out the coffee in the stout and I thought paired pretty well.
Something I picked up on about the beginning of the second third was
a faint taste of mesquite, BBQ or perhaps Beef Jerky. It was so weak it could
have been provoked by anything. As I continued the flavors was white pepper and
wood, spice and BBQ became more pronounced in the finish. The ash finally lost
its grip and fell about halfway through the second.
By the last third the excitement went away and the stick became pretty
dull. I even got a little unpleasant taste which I can almost bet it was the
Dominican tobacco stopping by to say hello. By that time, I was ready to say
goodbye and chucked it in my good ole coffee can that William J. Dawson would
call “My Bin of Mortality”.
Conclusion
In general, I was hoping the first third wouldn’t end. That being said,
this stick is fairly popular and I recommend picking one up to try even if for
only the first third or if you like a full body full flavor stick. Cheers!
Final Grade; B
After a long week full of great cigar events and appearances, I am glad to take a breather to sit down and enjoy a cool summer night after much rain with a good looking stick. Tonight I grab number two of the CAO “X2" trifecta the CAO LX2 which not surprisingly gets its name from ligero times two or "Double Ligero" as it is usually called . Two weeks ago I reviewed the CX2 (Double Cameroon)and if you missed it here it is.
Blend Specifics:
Vitola: Toro (6 x 50)
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan Ligero
Appearance and Construction:
I cant help but stare at this wrapper. I find it cool looking, young and hip. It is made up of a two large bands which have a tribal flame and barbed wire with raised gold lettering. The second band read “Fortaleza Trez” which I have yet to find what that means(if you know please share). Further visual examination reveals a tight wrapper with very little tooth and large pronounced veins. All in all it’s a good looking stick with a delicate shimmer.
Taste & Smoking Characteristics:
In the first third, prominent flavours on palate are light wood and nut, I thought the smoke was a bit dry with a touch of spice on the finish. Toast/baked bread came to mind as does an oak. The first third proved to have some complexity and yet it was still smooth with an easy pull, good amount of wood through the nose and unlike many others prior to me I had no problems with the burn. I should also mention that I had this stick resting for about 6 months.
Surprisingly the spice really started to pick up in the second third. I got a kick of spice for about 10 minutes that was really good but shortly after died off. In Retrospect, there was small amount of cinnamon which I’m always looking for but admittedly tough to come by in a Dominican stick.
The last third presented itself with a slight spice in the finish and an almost charcoal flavor that coats the palate. The bitter pepper finish kept going longer and longer and I was enjoying the woody nose as the stick started becoming hotter and a bit harsh.
Conclusion:
If I don’t enjoy a particular stick, I will not hesitate to put it down and somewhere and around the last third I must admit the idea came to mind. But, these reviews are not about me there about you guys so It was a fight to the finish. I have smoked this particular stick before and I wasn’t expecting much difference but I must say, this stick did burn better than all the other ones.
I would go out on a limb and say the majority of filler in this cigar is Dominican. It has all the taste characteristics of medium grade Dominican tobacco and frankly, I had a hard time tasting the Nicaraguan tobacco. I wonder how much is actually used.
Although, slightly better than the CX2, which I previously reviewed here. I personally think its important to try all the cigars in a particular series (CX2, LX2 and MX2) and ideally from the lightest to darkest within a decent amount of time to truly appreciate and perhaps apprehend the manufactures intentions. I am not crazy about the first two sticks in this series but if you could find it give it a shot. I would say this stick goes well with a good scotch or something that will perhaps overpower the charcoal finish. As you can probably guess my next review will be the lovely MX2 which I look forward to smoking again after a couple of months.
Taste & Smoking Characteristics
Delicately holding with one hand and a quick snip with the other....
easy straight cut. Test the pre-light draw(perfect). Pulled out my Xikar
EX lighter and began toasting while rotating the cigar to achieve that
perfect red ring. A sequence that has been practiced often and perfected
over the years. First taste profile that comes to mind is expresso coffee
just like mama makes the old fashion way with the strainer. Shortly after
the spice starts to linger in the background and remains there. As I
continued to puff away the short spice and woody finish continued and I
tasted what I though was very much like toffee like someone was playing
with an off/on switch.
Visually, the ash revealed to be a beautiful light grey and tight.
The burn in general was flawless. I should mention that this stick has been
in my humidor for over 7 months.
By the end of the first third I had a sudden craving for a dark
stout beer so, I picked up a Guinness (all I could find). The pairing
really brought out the coffee in the stout and I thought paired pretty well.
Something I picked up on about the beginning of the second third was
a faint taste of mesquite, BBQ or perhaps Beef Jerky. It was so weak it could
have been provoked by anything. As I continued the flavors was white pepper and
wood, spice and BBQ became more pronounced in the finish. The ash finally lost
its grip and fell about halfway through the second.
By the last third the excitement went away and the stick became pretty
dull. I even got a little unpleasant taste which I can almost bet it was the
Dominican tobacco stopping by to say hello. By that time, I was ready to say
goodbye and chucked it in my good ole coffee can that William J. Dawson would
call “My Bin of Mortality”.
Conclusion
In general, I was hoping the first third wouldn’t end. That being said,
this stick is fairly popular and I recommend picking one up to try even if for
only the first third or if you like a full body full flavor stick. Cheers!
Final Grade; B
