Review: CAO CX2 Toro

[craigchilds]

CAO CX2 Toro
Size: 6.0 x 54
Wrapper/Binder: African Cameroon
Filler: Nicaraguan & Columbian
Price: $9.10

All CAO's seem to share some common traits: a mild flavor, near flawless construction, and a creamy-smooth smoking experience.

Introduced in 2005, I got to try the CX2 for free as part of an internet product launch. (It also came with a stylish knit cap, which I promptly lost jetboating in New Zealand.) The CX2 moniker means "Cameroon times two" because this cigar sports both a Cameroon wrapper and binder. Usually, I don't like "cammies" because they are too fragile, but maybe because of the double wrap, this one did not have problems with the ultra-thin leaf tearing or splitting. At any rate, it was a definite improvement over the CAO Cameroon Legend, which I reviewed a few weeks ago.

CAO is perhaps the most successful of the johnny-come-lately cigar companies from the Big Boom (1990's). They have smothered the press magazines, catalogs, and internet sites with slick, trendy, urban ad campaigns. Their products score well in blind taste tests. They have a very high-profile tv tie-in with the Sopranos brand (although I read somewhere the cast of Sopranos actually smokes Macanudos on set). And every B&M I've visited has carried at least one CAO line.

CAO's are always overpriced, but I can't resist the odd single every once in a while. So far, I've tried the Gold, Brazilia, Cameroon Legend, and CX2. The CX2 has a little more flavor--or character, if you will--then the Gold or Cameroon Legend, but it lacks the potent bouquet of the Brazilia.

But the CX2 also fails where the others fail: no sophistication. From the touch of the flame to the snub in the ashtray, the CX2 was consistent almost to the point of mild blandness. It exhibited no subtle changes of flavor, no striking finish on the tongue, not even a small hot kick at the end.

So, to sum: CX2 is enjoyable, yes, but from a $9 cigar, I expect a little more uniqueness.

[LT Rich]

The first CX2 i had i was blown away by the flavor profile, seemed as though i was smoking a stick of cedar... I loved it. After that i had another one and was struck by how sublime it was. I dont know what the deal was, whether i was fortunate enough to get a rare awesome stick or whether the second one was just sub standard... I dont know. I will have to get a few more to do further studies.

Great review, love the background info.

LT

[craigchilds]

Originally Posted by LT Rich

The first CX2 i had i was blown away by the flavor profile, seemed as though i was smoking a stick of cedar... I loved it. After that i had another one and was struck by how sublime it was. I dont know what the deal was, whether i was fortunate enough to get a rare awesome stick or whether the second one was just sub standard

I don't know because I only had one. But I smoked a Black Pearl Rojo--which is just a medium flavor stick, not a firecracker at all-- right after the CX2 and it was a world of difference. The CX2 was just bland in comparison.

Although the CX2 had much better construction and burn, which you'd expect from a $9 cigar compared to a $4 cigar.

[White97Jimmy]

I also enjoy the CX2. I agree that this stick is overpriced, but somehow they still end up in my humi. As for the burn and construction, they are great as always from CAO. Yes, the taste is 1 dimensional, but at least its not a bad taste. I've been enjoying Cameroon style cigars more and more. For a less expensive Cameroon flavor, I've been enjoying the CAO Cameroon.

Good review!

[cb25]

i actually really enjoyed the Cx2 -- like you said it wasn't overwhelmingly great -- but the couple that i've had were very smooth, enjoyable...they burnt evenly, had a great flavor, etc.

but at $9-10 they're overpriced...if it were a $5-7 cigar, i'd smoke a lot more of them!

[Danbreeze]

I was given a CX2 Toro as a graduation gift, but have yet to try it. I have some fellow BOTL who all give it a thumbs up. I generally tend to smoke fuller-body cigars, but this might be a nice morning smoke with a cup of coffee.

[Tristan]

I've been meaning to try one of these. I like the MX2 and Brazilia but agree they are a bit pricey.

When you talk about the Cameroon Legend do you mean the Indian Tobac Cameroon Legend? I don't believe I've ever heard of a CAO Cameroon Legend.

[donp]

Originally Posted by tristan

I've been meaning to try one of these. I like the MX2 and Brazilia but agree they are a bit pricey.

When you talk about the Cameroon Legend do you mean the Indian Tobac Cameroon Legend? I don't believe I've ever heard of a CAO Cameroon Legend.

I have smoked a CAO Cameroon L'Anniversaire

[craigchilds]

Originally Posted by donp

I have smoked a CAO Cameroon L'Anniversaire

Tristan,

Donp is right. It was the CAO Cameroon L'Anniversaire. I had a 5-pack of them from CBid.

I have also had a couple of the IT Cameroon Legends, which is probably what I was thinking of as I wrote.