It has been a long time since the CAO cigars first appeared on the market. They are well-known for their excellence and distinctive flavor. Fans of the CAO cigars are extremely devoted and value the cigars’ flavor and quality. And for this review, we’ll smoke the CAO Mx2 Robusto, one of the brand’s most well-known premium cigars.
The CAO Mx2 Robusto is a cigar that is known for its strength and flavor. It is a popular choice for cigar smokers who want full-flavored smoke. This black cigar, which is a component of the CAO 5-Star cigar sampler, is wrapped in two Maduro wrappers, thus the term “Mx2,” which stands for “Maduro times two.”
| Wrapper Origin: Connecticut | Shape: Robusto |
| Length: 5 | Ring: 52 |
| Wrapper: Broadleaf | List Price: $185.80 (Box of 20) |
| Origin: Nicaragua | Strength: Full |
Appearance of CAO Mx2 Robusto
This cigar contains two aged Maduro wrappers, as indicated by the phrase “Mx2” in its name, which stands for “Maduro times two.” Brazilian Maduro serves as both the inner wrapper and the binder of this cigar, while the outer wrapper is a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro.
This cigar is firmly packed and surprisingly huge. The Maduro wrapper’s color is a very dark brown, almost close to black. There were visible veins and seams, and it felt leathery to the touch.
As for the CAO Mx2 Robusto cigar’s band, it uses a black band with words that are in silver color. The band is actually not in its usual form. This one uses the letter “i” like a band; there are rectangular holes on the sides. The word “CAO” is written at the top of the band, while the word “Mx2” is written below.
To be honest, the wrapper is not appealing at all since the color is almost identical to how dark the wrapper is. There’s also nothing special about its design. It’s as if there’s no thought being put when designing this cigar’s band. It’s like the CAO brand just decided to put a band to this cigar because it has to have one.
Smoking Experience
During the pre-light of the CAO Mx2 Robusto cigar, it immediately released an ample amount of smoke that also takes time to fade away. The draw is good so far, and the flavors that I picked up are coffee and earth. The retro-hale tasted hay grass. I also tasted a salty note, but I can’t pinpoint a specific salty note. It’s just salt, and the saltiness leaves a mark on my lips.
For the first third of smoking the CAO Mx2 Robusto cigar, the coffee flavor transitioned into becoming dark chocolate, but the earth note is still there, and a cinnamon flavor accompanied it. Moreover, the hay grass continued to be present on the retro-hale. So far, the flavor profile is becoming more enjoyable. However, I’m not happy with how this cigar burns since it burns unevenly, so I had to relight it. Considering how early it was for me to need to relight this cigar, this is definitely not a good factor. The draw became a little tight, too, worsening my early smoking experience.
During the second third of smoking the CAO Mx2 Robusto cigar, the construction of this cigar performs worse than the first third. While this CAO cigar continued to release an ample amount of smoke output and hold a nice chunk of ash, the draw continued to be tight, and the burn became very uneven. As a matter of fact, the wrapper of this cigar started to peel off at some parts. Not only that, but I relighted this cigar multiple times. As for the flavor profile, dark chocolate, and cinnamon are still part of the main flavors, but the earth mellows down a bit, giving way to the leather flavor emerging. I also hinted a bit of spice, and the salty note is no longer present at this point. The flavors are basically the standard Maduro flavors you will get in other cigars that use the same wrapper.
For my final third of smoking the CAO Mx2 Robusto cigar, the construction still remains crappy. Despite lighting this one multiple times, the burn continues to burn very unevenly, and the draw is still tight, too, requiring resistance to get the flavors properly. The flavors remained the same at this point, with no flavor transition or new flavors coming up, so the ending flavor notes are chocolate, cinnamon, and leather, with a little bit of spice and hay grass on the retro-hale.
Overall
Overall, the CAO Mx2 Robusto cigar is not something that exceeds my expectations. In fact, this is one of the worst cigars I have smoked ever since I started venturing into the world of cigars. It’s my first time encountering a cigar in which the wrapper is slowly peeling off. I also had to relight this CAO cigar multiple times just so the burn could be fixed or somehow be even. The draw is likewise the same too; it’s tight, which requires me to add resistance every few puffs just so I can properly pick up the flavors. As for its smoke output and how the ash held itself, it did a good job, but unfortunately, this was not enough to make my smoking experience enjoyable.
As for the flavor profile of the CAO Mx2 Robusto cigar, this gives basic flavors you can get in a cigar that uses a Maduro wrapper. The ending flavor notes are chocolate, cinnamon, and leather, with a little bit of spice and hay grass on the retro-hale. During the first and second third of smoking this one. there are actually a lot of flavor transitions going on, which intrigues me. But again, the construction of this cigar ruins the whole experience.
With that being said, I don’t think I’ll buy the CAO Mx2 Robusto cigar in the future. Despite the flavor profile consisting of good flavor notes, as well as its smoke output and burn, I feel like wasting my time smoking this cigar. It took me more than an hour and thirty minutes to smoke this one, which already included the minutes being wasted to relight this cigar multiple times. And despite exerting such effort, nothing happened, and this cigar continued to perform badly. Even if I tried my best efforts, this cigar hasn’t lived up to my expectations.
The CAO Mx2 Robusto is not the cigar for you if you’re searching for one that is full-bodied, tasty, and easy to smoke. Since I have consistently been pleased with the quality of CAO cigars in the past, I would highly recommend trying one of their other premium cigars.
Other Cigars Reviews
Other CAO Cigar Reviews
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The CAO Italia Ciao, originating from Honduras with a Robusto shape and full strength, is celebrated for its unique homage to Italy, appealing to both casual smokers and connoisseurs. Its oily, bumpy Habano wrapper is eye-catching, adorned with a vibrantly colored band incorporating Italian flag hues, symbolizing the nation’s culture. However, the smoking experience, characterized by a fluctuating draw and flavors transitioning from bitter to woody with spice undertones, doesn’t consistently impress. The final third sees a mellowing in flavors and a drop in construction quality, leading to an overall common, albeit full-bodied, experience that doesn’t quite match expectations set by its premium price and CAO’s reputation, potentially making the CAO Italia Ciao a less recommended choice for future purchases.
CAO Brazilia Gol
CAO cigars have garnered popularity due to their high quality, fine tobacco, and wide range of flavors, catering to diverse preferences. The CAO Brazilia Gol, in particular, stands out for its distinctive flavor and smooth smoking experience. This cigar is handmade in Nicaragua and is part of the esteemed CAO 5-Star sampler. It is known for its robust strength and rich, complex flavors featuring toasted cedar, nuts, and varying notes of pepper. Despite some inconsistencies in the draw and burn in the final third, its unique flavor profile and connection to Brazilian culture, evident in the color scheme of the band that mirrors the Brazilian flag and the use of a Brazilian wrapper, making this review of CAO Brazilia Gol an intriguing choice for fans seeking a taste of Brazil.
Other Nicaraguan Cigar Reviews
Alec Bradley Black Market Esteli
The Alec Bradley Black Market Esteli cigar presents an exceptional smoking experience with a full-bodied profile that seasoned smokers will appreciate. It boasts an impressive variety of flavors, including mocha, chocolate, leather, and earth, complemented by notes of pepper and spice, particularly noticeable in the retro-hale. Esteemed by connoisseurs and recognized by Cigar Aficionado with a high rating, its robust character matches a meticulously crafted appearance featuring an eye-catching band and a well-oiled wrapper. Although its burn and draw may require some attention during the smoke, the overall complexity and depth of flavor make it an outstanding choice for those who favor medium to full-bodied cigars. This concludes the review of Alec Bradley Black Market Esteli, a cigar that delivers a rich tapestry of taste and an aroma that speaks to its quality and craftsmanship.
Black Ops Berserker Toro
The Black Ops Berserker Toro cigar emerges as a robust, full-bodied option that caters to seasoned cigar enthusiasts seeking a bold taste. Its dark, oily Maduro wrapper and well-constructed form factor encapsulate a rich blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos, ensuring a consistent and smooth smoking experience from start to finish. With a flavor profile dominated by rich coffee and accented by notes of dark chocolate and earthy tobacco, this cigar maintains its taste intensity throughout, complemented by a solid burn and admirable construction. While its full-bodied nature may be daunting for novices, the Black Ops Berserker Toro is a standout choice for aficionados with a preference for complex, coffee-centric cigars, as detailed in this review of Black Ops Berserker Toro.
