AshMap
Overview
There is a particular kind of cigar that does not ask for your attention so much as command it — and the CAO Mx2 Lancero, a seven-and-a-half-inch ribbon of Mexican San Andrés leaf, is precisely that cigar. Introduced around 2013, the Mx2 line was built on a structural conceit that remains rare in the premium cigar world: the same Mexican San Andrés leaf that forms the wrapper also serves as the binder, a double application that amplifies the tobacco's earthy, molasses-laden character in ways a single-leaf approach simply cannot replicate. The Lancero format, with its slender 40-ring gauge, is the most unforgiving expression of that concept — and, when executed well, the most rewarding. CAO threads that needle here with a confidence that borders on audacity.
Before the flame even touches the foot, the wrapper tells you what you are in for: a deep espresso-brown Colorado Maduro leaf with a subtle toothy texture and a restrained oily sheen that catches the light without shouting. The cold draw offers dried earth and a whisper of baker's chocolate. Once lit, the first third arrives in a pronounced wave — dark cocoa and charred oak at the fore, followed immediately by a sweetness that recalls dark molasses and a spiced leather note that lingers at the edges. The San Andrés wrapper announces itself without apology, and the narrow gauge concentrates every note into a dense, almost chewy smoke column.
The second third is where the Mx2 Lancero earns its keep. Espresso and toasted cedar emerge, joined by roasted nuts and a distinct dried fig sweetness that threads through a medium white pepper burn. The retrohale is the revelation here: white pepper balanced by cream and cocoa, a combination that keeps the pepper from ever feeling aggressive. As the final third approaches, the cigar intensifies toward dark chocolate bitterness, ancho chile heat, and a deep earthy loam. The sweetness recedes slightly, leather becomes more dominant, and the finish stretches long and warm with lingering cocoa and black pepper on the palate. It is a complete arc — not a collection of flavors, but a narrative.
Burn and draw are where the Lancero format separates the serious from the pretenders. CAO delivers: the burn is even and slow, leveraging the narrow gauge for excellent flavor concentration, while the draw is open but controlled, producing a medium-density smoke column and a firm, long ash that holds well past the midpoint. This is a cigar that demands patience — a slow, deliberate ninety-minute smoke best reserved for an unhurried afternoon or evening. It is not a rush-job cigar, and it will punish anyone who treats it as one. But for the aficionado willing to sit with it, the Mx2 Lancero offers Mexican terroir front and center without the Padron Anniversary price tag. The double San Andrés construction is a bold concept executed with restraint — a teaching cigar as much as a pleasure cigar, and one that remains criminally underappreciated in the San Andrés conversation.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Mexican San Andrés Maduro — Colorado Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Mexican San Andrés |
| Filler | Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers; the 'Mx2' designation references double Mexican leaf usage in both wrapper and bin |
| Country of Origin | Danlí, Honduras (General Cigar factory) |
| Vitola / Shape | Lancero |
| Size | 7.5 x 40 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $9–$13 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | San Andrés leaf is aged prior to rolling; no extended post-roll aging formally documented |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
Opens with a pronounced wave of dark cocoa, dried earth, and charred oak. The San Andrés wrapper announces itself immediately with a sweetness reminiscent of dark molasses and baker's chocolate, underpinned by a subtle spiced leather note.
Second Third
Transitions into a richer, more complex core: espresso, toasted cedar, and roasted nuts emerge. A distinct dried fig sweetness threads through the pepper, and the retrohale delivers a medium white pepper burn balanced by cream and cocoa.
Final Third
Intensifies toward dark chocolate bitterness, ancho chile heat, and a deep earthy loam. The sweetness recedes slightly and leather becomes more dominant — finishing long and warm with lingering cocoa and black pepper on the palate.
Construction, Burn & Draw
The Lancero format demands precise rolling and CAO delivers — burn is even and slow, leveraging the narrow 40-ring gauge for excellent concentration of flavor. Draw is open but controlled, producing a medium-density smoke column with a firm, long ash.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Guatemalan rum (Ron Zacapa 23 or Botran Reserva) — the caramel and vanilla notes in the rum harmonize beautifully with the San Andrés molasses character; alternatively a light añejo tequila
Wine
Malbec from Mendoza — its dark fruit, plum, and moderate tannin structure echo the cigar's cocoa and dried fig notes without overpowering
Non-Alcoholic
A cold-brew coffee with a pinch of cinnamon or a Mexican hot chocolate — either will reinforce the San Andrés sweetness and earthy backbone
Who Should Smoke This?
Picture a smoker who has spent a few years working through the usual suspects — the Padrons, the Olivas, the Fuentes — and has begun to suspect that Mexican San Andrés leaf might be the most interesting thing happening in cigars right now. It is a Saturday afternoon in late autumn, the kind of day where the light is low and the air is cool, and there is nowhere to be for the next two hours. They pour two fingers of Ron Zacapa 23, settle into a chair with a book they may or may not actually read, and light the Mx2 Lancero. This is not a beginner's cigar — the medium-full body and the Lancero's unforgiving draw demand attention — but it is also not a special-occasion-only smoke. It is the cigar for someone who wants to understand what San Andrés terroir actually tastes like, and who is willing to give it the time it needs to explain itself.
Bottom Line
The CAO Mx2 Lancero is the most honest expression of Mexican San Andrés leaf you can buy for under fifteen dollars — a slender, demanding, deeply rewarding cigar that rewards patience with a complete sensory arc. If you have been sleeping on this one, wake up. It belongs in every serious humidor.
Similar Cigars
Explore all CAO Mx2 cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CAO Mx2 Lancero a strong cigar?
It is rated Medium-Full (4/5 on the strength scale). Physically, that means you will feel a noticeable nicotine presence by the final third — a warm, grounding sensation rather than a head-spinning one — but it is not a full-strength powerhouse. The Lancero format concentrates the smoke, so the perceived intensity runs slightly higher than the rating suggests. Smoke it on a full stomach.
What does CAO Mx2 Lancero taste like?
The first third delivers dark cocoa, dried earth, charred oak, dark molasses, baker's chocolate, and spiced leather. The second third transitions to espresso, toasted cedar, roasted nuts, dried fig, and a medium white pepper burn balanced by cream and cocoa on the retrohale. The final third intensifies toward dark chocolate bitterness, ancho chile heat, deep earthy loam, leather, and a long finish of cocoa and black pepper.
How long does CAO Mx2 Lancero take to smoke?
Plan for roughly 90 minutes. The 7.5 x 40 Lancero format burns slowly and evenly, and the narrow ring gauge rewards a deliberate pace. Rushing it will cause the cigar to overheat and turn bitter, so set aside a full hour and a half if you want to experience the complete progression from dark cocoa through ancho chile heat.
What is the best pairing for CAO Mx2 Lancero?
An aged Guatemalan rum such as Ron Zacapa 23 or Botran Reserva is the ideal companion. The caramel and vanilla notes in the rum harmonize directly with the San Andrés molasses character in the cigar, while the rum's sweetness softens the ancho chile heat in the final third. A light añejo tequila also works well. For wine, choose a Mendoza Malbec — its dark fruit, plum, and moderate tannin structure echo the cocoa and dried fig notes without overpowering them.
Is CAO Mx2 Lancero good for beginners?
Honestly, no — not as a first cigar. The Medium-Full strength (4/5) and the Lancero format's unforgiving draw make it a challenging smoke for someone still developing their palate and technique. At $9–$13 per cigar, it is also not an inexpensive experiment. Beginners should start with a milder, thicker-ring-gauge cigar and work up to this one after they have learned to smoke slowly and deliberately.
Where can I buy CAO Mx2 Lancero?
This cigar is sold through premium tobacco retailers, including dedicated brick-and-mortar cigar shops and established online retailers that carry the CAO brand. Because the Mx2 line is not always stocked in every shop, you may need to check a few sources or ask your local retailer to order it. It is a regular-production cigar, not a limited edition, so it should be obtainable with a little persistence.
What is the price of CAO Mx2 Lancero?
Expect to pay between $9 and $13 per cigar, depending on your retailer and local tobacco taxes. At that price point, it sits firmly in the everyday tier — affordable enough to smoke regularly, but substantial enough to feel like a considered purchase. For a Lancero with double San Andrés construction, it represents strong value.
Is CAO Mx2 Lancero worth aging?
It is worth considering, though not strictly necessary. The San Andrés leaf used in the Mx2 is aged prior to rolling, and there is no formally documented post-roll aging program, so the cigar is ready to smoke upon purchase. That said, the wrapper and binder are both Mexican San Andrés, and that leaf tends to mellow and integrate beautifully with six to twelve months of rest. If you have the humidor space, buy a box and revisit it in a year — the ancho chile heat in the final third should soften while the cocoa and dried fig notes deepen.
What wrapper does CAO Mx2 Lancero use?
It uses a Mexican San Andrés Maduro wrapper in a Colorado Maduro shade — a deep espresso-brown leaf with a subtle toothy texture and a restrained oily sheen. The San Andrés wrapper is the defining element of this cigar, contributing the dark cocoa, molasses, and earthy loam notes that anchor the entire smoking experience. The 'Mx2' designation refers to the fact that Mexican San Andrés leaf is used both as the wrapper and the binder.
Where is CAO Mx2 Lancero made?
It is hand-rolled in Danlí, Honduras, at the General Cigar factory. The Mx2 line was introduced around 2013 and is built entirely around the double application of Mexican San Andrés leaf as both wrapper and binder, with Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers completing the blend. The Lancero vitola is produced in the same facility, where the narrow 40-ring gauge demands precise rolling to ensure an even burn and controlled draw.