CAO Mx2 Corona Review

Overview

The CAO Mx2 Corona is a quiet overachiever, the kind of cigar that doesn't announce itself with a flourish but earns respect through sheer, unrelenting competence. In a lineup that often leans toward the theatrical, this diminutive 5.5 x 44 format is a focused thesis on Honduran tobacco—a blend that speaks in a measured, confident tone rather than a shout. It’s the cigar equivalent of a well-worn leather journal: unassuming on the outside, but filled with stories that reveal themselves page by page. The pre-light aroma is a promise of what’s to come: a dry, earthy sweetness that hints at the sun-baked leaf beneath the Colorado-hued wrapper, which feels slightly toothy under the fingers, a tactile prelude to the texture of the smoke itself.

The first draw is a revelation of restraint. Roasted cedar leads, not as a sharp, new-pencil note but as a warm, almost toasted woodiness that feels like the interior of a sun-warmed barn. Dry cocoa follows, not the sweet confectionary kind but the bitter, granular powder used in baking, grounding the profile in a savory reality. A subtle earthiness—think of freshly turned soil after a light rain—anchors the experience, while a light black pepper on the retrohale provides a crisp, clean definition without ever becoming aggressive. The draw is open and generous, and a mild sweetness, reminiscent of toasted grain, emerges on the finish, a gentle counterpoint to the savory opening. It’s a masterclass in balance, a first third that sets a steady, engaging pace without rushing its narrative.

As the ash holds firm—a salt-and-pepper column that speaks to the leaf’s mineral content—the second third deepens the plot. The profile shifts from dry to creamy, a textural evolution that feels like the cigar is exhaling. Dark leather, supple and slightly oily, wraps around the core, while a rich espresso note adds a bitter, roasted depth. The dried fruit emerges here—a raisin or dark plum quality that is not sweet but concentrated, a chewy, dark fruitiness that adds a layer of complexity. The pepper recedes into the background, a distant memory, as the body fills out and the smoke becomes denser, more satisfying. The construction remains impeccable, a tight, even burn that delivers a consistent, voluminous smoke output, allowing the flavors to develop with a deliberate, unhurried cadence.

The final third is where the Mx2 Corona shows its teeth. The strength, which had been a steady medium, climbs noticeably toward the medium-full mark, a physical crescendo that mirrors the flavor’s intensification. A woody spice—think of freshly grated nutmeg or a hint of clove—cuts through the creaminess, while a roasted nut quality, like almonds toasted in their skins, adds a savory crunch. The leather and espresso grounds persist, deepening into a dark, almost bitter chocolate note that lingers on the finish. This pleasant bitterness is not a flaw but a feature, a final, engaging argument that keeps the palate active until the very last puff. The smoke turns warm, the flavors concentrated, and the session ends with a satisfying, full close that feels earned, not forced. It’s a 45-minute journey that packs the narrative arc of a much larger cigar, a testament to the blend’s integrity and the format’s efficiency.