C.A.O. Mx2 Rob Review w. Pictures

[redryno247]

About a month back I was gifted this cigar by Drhalle. Since that time it has been resting quietly in the humi. However, every time I'd open it up, I'd see this handsome Robusto staring back at me; you know, with the look. Anyway, I had determined last night that I'd had enough with this cold Mid-west weather and I was going to start the day with a cigar. Thanks to the help of some from CS, I made up my mind that I would give into this particular cigar. What follows is my review of this, my first experience with the C.A.O. Mx2 Rob. Enjoy!

THE REVIEW:

As I mentioned, it's been cold here in Indiana, but today was actually on the warm side of cold.



You'll notice immediately this cigar looks deep and rich, with it's maduro wrapper holding firm to the touch. I love the slightly rugged appearance of the cigar against the sleek design of the band. There were just a couple of predominant veins running through the wrapper, but overall I was pleased with the quality of it's construction.



This cigar felt solid in your hands; I liked that. The pre-light aroma was rich and inviting. With such a firm construction the cut was very smooth, producing very little tobacco shavings. The pre-light draw was darn near perfect, offering a hint of the flavor that was to come. This cigar was very easy to light, with the initial blast of flavor exploding on the tongue suggestions of both pepper spice and rich full coco. Very, exciting and tasty.



As was the case with the pre-light draw, the draw was excellent; effortless really. Just the right amount of white smoke was produced each puff. The ash of this cigar was firm throughout, holding on well into the 1.5 inch mark each time, before naturally falling. The ash was distinct in appearance too, being chalky gray in color. At this point, I would say that the cigar, with it's distinct spice coco mix was falling on the fuller side of medium.



As the cigar burned, I noticed that throughout it did well in holding its heat, never once did it go out on me. The burn too, was well paced, and self correcting, never needing any touching up from me. The flavor made a quick shift to earthy and dry at about exactly the 2/3 mark. Honestly, I was a bit disappointed in this, as I was quite fine with how it had been up to this point. However, this shift in flavor wasn't enough to be considered an impacting negative, as it was still smoking great and was still quite enjoyable.



I noticed at various points throughout the 90 minute smoke that if I allowed ample time between draws, I'd pick up a sweet flavor resting pleasantly on my tongue. This would sort of come and go throughout the entire time. I ought to mention as well, that at the 2/3 mark, till just about the end, the overall strength of the cigar mellowed out; settling into the medium range nicely. Toward the end, I began to notice that the spiciness began to creep back in. This I found to be very nice, and I welcomed more of it. Finally, it became too hot to continue and I had to lay it down; which upon standing, proved to be the right decision as I now had a slight buzz going.



I really couldn't be more pleased with this cigar, it made a great first impression on me and I'll definitely look to add more to the humi when I get a chance. I know some people tend to shy away from dark, oily sticks like the C.A.O. Mx2, but I'd encourage everyone to give it a try at least once. I bet you'll enjoy it and be happy you tried it out.

Thanks for reading,

THE SCORE:

Construction: 20/20
Appearance: 17/20
Smoke & Ash: 9/10
Burn: 19/20
Draw: 20/20
Aroma: (9/10)

TOTAL: 94/100 (Rating: 18.83/20)

THE STATS:

C.A.O. Mx2 Rob (Nicaragua)
Robusto 5 x 52

[SIZE=2][SIZE=2]Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Brazil
Filler: D.R., Hon., Nic., Peru[/SIZE][/SIZE]

[doctorcue]

Great review! The format & pictures made it easy to understand your thoughts on this stick.

I agree too that the final portion of the stick doesn't really live up to the first portion. Yet, it is a nice tapering of the flavor to ease up and let you walk away. In todays world of Pepin, Opus, & LFD Chisels; a tasty stick that doesn't make you high is a nice treat.

Thanks for the review.

[steelprostate]

Picked one of these up about a month and a half ago on my first trip to my B&M, and it's still sitting in the humi waiting to be smoked. After reading this I think its time may come sooner than I thought.

[Siebec]

Originally Posted by steelprostate

Picked one of these up about a month and a half ago on my first trip to my B&M, and it's still sitting in the humi waiting to be smoked. After reading this I think its time may come sooner than I thought.

I thought the exact same thing. I wasn't real sure if I would like this cigar when I first purchased it, but I think I will now after reading this review. Great review!

[redryno247]

Originally Posted by steelprostate

Picked one of these up about a month and a half ago on my first trip to my B&M, and it's still sitting in the humi waiting to be smoked. After reading this I think its time may come sooner than I thought.

Originally Posted by Siebec

I thought the exact same thing. I wasn't real sure if I would like this cigar when I first purchased it, but I think I will now after reading this review. Great review!

Let me know your thoughts once you've had a chance to sample this fine cigar. Glad you found the review helpful.

[nozero]

Thanks for the review, the pics just make it that much better for me.

[MarkinCA]

[SIZE=3]Excellent review and photographs...[/SIZE]

[Boobar]

Great review and photos, I picked up one of these at the B&M last weekend and I am looking forward to trying it out.

[SouthsideCigar]

Thanks for the nice review. I really enjoy some of the other CAO cigars, especially the Cameroon and Criolla. I have been thinking of trying the Mx2 and I will definitely go grab some.

Dave

[redryno247]

Originally Posted by SouthsideCigar

Thanks for the nice review. I really enjoy some of the other CAO cigars, especially the Cameroon and Criolla. I have been thinking of trying the Mx2 and I will definitely go grab some.

Dave

I hope you enjoy it/them as much as I did.

[TripleF]

DUUUUUUUUUDE

Awesome review. and major props to you for doing it in 20 degree weather!!

[SR Mike]

Nice Review!!
They sure are tasty smokes! I am looking at getting a tin of these, the Brazilia's in the tins are great, I am hoping the MX2s are just as good.

[Wolfgang8810]

Great Review. I rarely go "nubbin". On a 6 inch gar i leave maybe 1.5 - 2 inches is that bad lol?

[Siebec]

I finally got to try this on Sunday night and I really enjoyed the flavor. At the first two inches burnt nice but after that the draw got super tight and the burn was way off. I can't stand a tight draw so I decided to pitch it after 2.5 inches. I really enjoyed the flavor so I will try one again, and hopefully the draw and burn will be better.

[redryno247]

Originally Posted by Siebec

I finally got to try this on Sunday night and I really enjoyed the flavor. At the first two inches burnt nice but after that the draw got super tight and the burn was way off. I can't stand a tight draw so I decided to pitch it after 2.5 inches. I really enjoyed the flavor so I will try one again, and hopefully the draw and burn will be better.

I've heard that if the draw tightens up mid-smoke, to clip another 1/16 or so off and see if it doesn't help loosen things up. Also, I've read that if you gently roll the cigar between your fingers (obviously being careful since it's lit) that this can also help improve the draw.

At least you enjoyed enough to give it another shot.