CRQuarto
Brrraaaiiinnnsss.....
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2009
- Messages
- 1,850
CAO Mx2
Size: 5" x 52 rg Robusto
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Brazilian Maduro
Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras, Peru, and the Dominican Republic
Strength: Medium - Full
*Sorry for the lack of photos, as I was at work and didn't have a camera handy. Too little light out tonight to attempt to use the iphone.
Last night, while at work I decided it was quiet enough to enjoy my first CAO Mx2. At around midnight, I found myself outside in downtown L.A. staring up at a slightly cloudy, dark sky. It was very quiet out, with only the soft, muffled sounds of passing traffic from the streets a quarter mile away. I cracked open a bottle of Coca Cola, removed the cigar from my pocket, and looked it over for the customary pre-smoke inspection.
Two thoughts immediately came to mind: I LOVE the band! This sucker is DARK! This cigar has to have one of the blackest wrappers I have seen, second only to a Partagas Black. In the muted light from the floodlamps on the tall building next to me, I can see it is extremely oily, and the leaf itself has several very prominent veins. The cigar is solid in both construction and feel, with a well bunched foot and nice cap. I smell the foot and find a rich aroma of tobacco and a sweetness that is very much maduro. I know like the rest of you that maduros are commonly mistaken as being very strong because of their dark appearance, and that they actually can be the exact opposite with a sweet, almost sugary and chocolately body to them. I would have to say, however, that even with that knowledge this thing made me a little nervous. Even the inner tobaccos on the foot looked like they were maduro! Damn!
I decided it was time to man up, clipped the end, and began roasting the foot until it was glowing. I could smell the smoke coming off of the burning tobacco, and picked up a rich, delicious and complex scent. I took a couple quick puffs to ensure that the burn was strong, and then took a long, slow pull. After letting the smoke gently roll out, I then finished off with a slight exhale through the nose. I immediately tasted loads of spice and something that made me think of freshly roasted coffee beans, but with a sweetness that reminded me of the powdered expresso that you find on top of tiramisu. This thing is deliciously creamy, with tons of full smoke and a perfect draw. The ash was a dark gray, with a lot of black in it as well, and was revealed slowly by a perfectly even, razor sharp burn. Once I was a half an inch in, the spice came down a notch and smoothed out, and I began to pick up a new flavor. I really, really had hoped not to use this typical cliche, but I'll be damned if I didn't say this thing had a full flavor of ultra dark chocolate! The finish was a mile long and very rich, leaving me smacking my lips. I found myself sipping this one, slowly smoking it to savor every last taste. I found myself wishing more than once that I had paired this with a good cup of coffee, though the Coke served well enough.
At around the 2.5" mark, I lost the ash, killing my chance of an ash stand. Damn. :blush: At this point I was halfway through the cigar, and I noticed that the complexity picked up even more, with a touch of leather coming in and the coffee bean moving up towards the front. The strength at this point picked up a little, and occasionally a slight bitterness crept in that was quickly gone with a sip of Coke. Despite that, this thing stayed smooth as hell throughout.
I nubbed this guy after about and hour and fifteen minutes, and I would have to say that it was outstanding. I would say that the Camacho Triple Maduro still beats it, but I would not mind having a fiver at the ready in the humidor. Top marks across the board, with a great construction, delicious complexity, and little to no harshness with a very good smoothness for the most part. I'd suggest that if you love maduros, and haven't had this one yet, to give it a try. :love:
Size: 5" x 52 rg Robusto
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Brazilian Maduro
Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras, Peru, and the Dominican Republic
Strength: Medium - Full
*Sorry for the lack of photos, as I was at work and didn't have a camera handy. Too little light out tonight to attempt to use the iphone.
Last night, while at work I decided it was quiet enough to enjoy my first CAO Mx2. At around midnight, I found myself outside in downtown L.A. staring up at a slightly cloudy, dark sky. It was very quiet out, with only the soft, muffled sounds of passing traffic from the streets a quarter mile away. I cracked open a bottle of Coca Cola, removed the cigar from my pocket, and looked it over for the customary pre-smoke inspection.
Two thoughts immediately came to mind: I LOVE the band! This sucker is DARK! This cigar has to have one of the blackest wrappers I have seen, second only to a Partagas Black. In the muted light from the floodlamps on the tall building next to me, I can see it is extremely oily, and the leaf itself has several very prominent veins. The cigar is solid in both construction and feel, with a well bunched foot and nice cap. I smell the foot and find a rich aroma of tobacco and a sweetness that is very much maduro. I know like the rest of you that maduros are commonly mistaken as being very strong because of their dark appearance, and that they actually can be the exact opposite with a sweet, almost sugary and chocolately body to them. I would have to say, however, that even with that knowledge this thing made me a little nervous. Even the inner tobaccos on the foot looked like they were maduro! Damn!
I decided it was time to man up, clipped the end, and began roasting the foot until it was glowing. I could smell the smoke coming off of the burning tobacco, and picked up a rich, delicious and complex scent. I took a couple quick puffs to ensure that the burn was strong, and then took a long, slow pull. After letting the smoke gently roll out, I then finished off with a slight exhale through the nose. I immediately tasted loads of spice and something that made me think of freshly roasted coffee beans, but with a sweetness that reminded me of the powdered expresso that you find on top of tiramisu. This thing is deliciously creamy, with tons of full smoke and a perfect draw. The ash was a dark gray, with a lot of black in it as well, and was revealed slowly by a perfectly even, razor sharp burn. Once I was a half an inch in, the spice came down a notch and smoothed out, and I began to pick up a new flavor. I really, really had hoped not to use this typical cliche, but I'll be damned if I didn't say this thing had a full flavor of ultra dark chocolate! The finish was a mile long and very rich, leaving me smacking my lips. I found myself sipping this one, slowly smoking it to savor every last taste. I found myself wishing more than once that I had paired this with a good cup of coffee, though the Coke served well enough.
At around the 2.5" mark, I lost the ash, killing my chance of an ash stand. Damn. :blush: At this point I was halfway through the cigar, and I noticed that the complexity picked up even more, with a touch of leather coming in and the coffee bean moving up towards the front. The strength at this point picked up a little, and occasionally a slight bitterness crept in that was quickly gone with a sip of Coke. Despite that, this thing stayed smooth as hell throughout.
I nubbed this guy after about and hour and fifteen minutes, and I would have to say that it was outstanding. I would say that the Camacho Triple Maduro still beats it, but I would not mind having a fiver at the ready in the humidor. Top marks across the board, with a great construction, delicious complexity, and little to no harshness with a very good smoothness for the most part. I'd suggest that if you love maduros, and haven't had this one yet, to give it a try. :love:
