Cigar:            CAO Cx2 Robusto

Size:             52 x 5.0"

Country:          Nic

Wrapper:          Cameroon, EMS

Binder:           Cameroon

Filler:           Col/Nic

Flavor Strength:  Mild-Medium

NicotineStength:  Mild

Date Received:    2006-03-25

Suspected Age:    NA

Vendor/Price:     CAO online gift, CI has them at $165/20

Hype:       The Cx2 is the first cigar ever to incorporate two Cameroon leaves in one blend. The external wrapper is aged Grade One Cameroon. The second cameroon leaf is used as the binder. The filler is a sweet and earthy blend of tobaccos from Columbia and the Jalapa region of Nicaragua. The result is a smoking experience that highlights the rich, spicy, sweet flavor of Cameroon tobacco unlike any other cigar.

Beverage(s):      Water, Ethiopian coffee, Deschutes Black Butte Porter

Smoke time:       1:10

Date:             2006-06-10

Posted to ASC:    2006-06-10

Overall score:    3.0 / 5.0

Overall:    Mild to medium cedary stick with a bitter-sweet edge.  Consistent flavor throughout smoke until the nub when flavor ramps up.  Good even burn with high smoke volume.   An inoffensive smoke, but definitely not a box purchase.  Even ignoring the price differential (1/3) the Alec Bradley Trilogy Native Cameroon are a better smoke.  VERY nice CAO hat!

Ambience:   Mid day in the sunroom listening to Blowin' Smoke #13.  The overcast has cleared and the skies are high scattered clouds.  Finished work on the deck ledger boards, and started on a test drill into a concrete wall.  Stopped work after getting nailed by a wasp. 

Appearance: Goofy band - Zorro mask-like.  Dark mottled small veined wrapper with a slight sheen.  Evenly firm (slightly yielding) along length.  Long double cap. 

Cut & Prelight:   Strongly leather aroma with some cocoa.  Cut well yielding an open draw.  Slightly musty draw flavor with lip tingle. 

First third:      Lit easily yielding lots of smoke.  Initially a little bitter with slightly sweet note.  White ash.  Mild, cedar flavor. 

Second third:     Still mild, cedar, with a slightly bitter-sweet edge.  Good even burn.

Third third:      More cedar, medium flavor intensity, with a cedar aftertaste.  Nub became more full flavored and spicey.  Abandoned at 1" due to overheating.  No appreciable nicotine buzz.  Cedary finish.