CAO Mx2 Gran Toro Review

Overview

The CAO Mx2 Gran Toro is the quiet overachiever of the CAO lineup, a cigar that doesn't announce itself with a gimmick or a cult following, but rather earns its keep through sheer, unassuming competence. It's the kind of smoke you reach for when you want to remember why you fell in love with cigars in the first place — not for the hype, but for the honest, tactile pleasure of watching a well-constructed leaf burn slowly into ash. In a market saturated with loud, over-blended monsters, the Mx2 is a masterclass in restraint, a Honduran Corojo showcase that lets the wrapper do the talking while the Nicaraguan binder whispers a steady, rhythmic counterpoint. It's not a cigar that demands your attention; it commands it through a slow, deliberate build of flavor that feels less like a performance and more like a conversation with an old friend who happens to be exceptionally well-traveled.

The pre-light draw is a promise of things to come: a burst of sweet, sun-warmed hay and a faint, almost floral cedar that hints at the Corojo's character. The first proper puff delivers on that promise with a clean, toasted cedar note that's immediately grounded by a rich, earthy leather — not the harsh, raw hide of a new boot, but the supple, worn leather of a well-loved armchair. There's a distinct, peppery tingle on the tongue from the outset, a sharpness that's quickly tempered by a surprising sweetness on the retrohale, a dried raisin and fig paste quality that clings to the sinuses. The 60-ring gauge makes the draw feel almost effortless, a wide, open channel that delivers a generous, voluminous smoke that coats the palate without ever feeling airy or thin. It's a confident opening, one that sets a medium-full pace without rushing.

As the ash line creeps past the halfway mark, the Mx2 shifts its weight. The cedar and leather remain as the structural backbone, but they're now joined by a deep, unsweetened cocoa powder note that dusts the palate, followed by a rich, roasted coffee bean character that adds a bitter, grounding counterpoint to the earlier sweetness. The Nicaraguan binder makes its presence known here, not as a dominant force, but as a subtle, white pepper backbone that runs along the edges of the profile, adding a gentle, warming buzz to the back of the throat. The most significant evolution is textural: a creamy, almost buttery mouthfeel develops mid-palate, smoothing out the sharper edges of the spice and wrapping the cocoa and coffee in a velvety blanket. It's a masterful transition, one that takes the cigar from a straightforward, earthy start to a more complex, layered experience without ever losing its sense of place.

The final third is where the Mx2 shows its true depth, rewarding the patient smoker with a powerful, concentrated finish. The cocoa deepens into a dark, almost bitter espresso shot, while the toasted cedar transforms into a rich, roasted almond and walnut note that adds a savory, nutty complexity. The leather returns, but it's no longer the supple armchair of the first third; it's now a more robust, slightly sweetened tobacco leaf, a full-bodied conclusion that feels weighty and satisfying. The white pepper spice re-emerges on the finish, a final, lingering tingle that cleanses the palate just as the smoke begins to cool. Despite the intensity, the large ring gauge keeps the smoke remarkably cool to the very end, allowing you to nub it without a hint of harshness or bitterness. It's a strong, confident finish that leaves you with a sense of having smoked a complete, well-told story.