AshMap
Overview
The CAO Mx2 Lancero represents a deliberately restrained yet architecturally bold statement in the Mexican leaf conversation—one that deserves considerably more attention than it currently commands. At its core lies a conceptual elegance: the 'Mx2' designation isn't marketing flourish but structural truth, reflecting a cigar built entirely around double Mexican San Andrés leaf, deployed as both wrapper and binder. This isn't a gimmick. It's a commitment to terroir, and when executed by a roller with precision, it becomes a vehicle for singular flavor storytelling.
The Lancero vitola—that elongated, 40-ring silhouette—functions as an amplifier. In lesser hands, a thin gauge exposes every rolling imperfection, every inconsistency in blend. CAO, rolling at the General Cigar factory in Honduras, navigates this with visible competence. The burn is even and measured, the draw controlled yet open, and the ash holds long and firm. From the moment you light it, the San Andrés wrapper announces itself with dark molasses sweetness and baker's chocolate, layered beneath charred oak and dried earth. This opening act sets the tone: this is Mexican leaf speaking directly, without pretense.
What unfolds across the cigar's 90-minute arc is textbook progression. The second third introduces espresso and toasted cedar, a dried fig sweetness that threads through white pepper and cream on the retrohale. By the final third, darker notes emerge—ancho chile heat, dark chocolate bitterness, and an earthy loam that feels almost loamy in its depth. The leather note, subtle early, becomes dominant as you approach the nub, finishing long and warm. This is a teaching cigar as much as a pleasure cigar, the kind that rewards attentive smoking and punishes mindless puffing.
The Mx2 Lancero occupies a peculiar and undervalued position in the market. It demands the patience and attention a Padron Anniversary commands, yet costs a fraction of the price. For aficionados seeking Mexican terroir front and center—who understand that thin vitolas either sing or fail, with no middle ground—this is a revelation. It's the cigar for those who believe construction and tobacco quality trump price point, and who measure value not in marketing but in the ash tray.
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?
The CAO Mx2 Lancero is for the patient aficionado—someone with at least intermediate smoking experience and the discipline to spend 90 minutes with a single cigar without distraction. This is not a quick smoke or a cigar to light during conversation. It rewards the person who values Mexican leaf character, respects precise construction, and seeks meaningful flavor without excessive price. Ideal for an unhurried afternoon or evening, paired with coffee, rum, or a good Malbec. Best suited for smokers who have graduated beyond the 'strength' metric and instead evaluate cigars on complexity, balance, and terroir expression.
Bottom Line
The CAO Mx2 Lancero is a criminally underappreciated masterclass in restrained execution and Mexican leaf authenticity. For the aficionado seeking genuine terroir expression at an accessible price point, it's an essential smoke.
Similar Cigars
Explore all CAO Mx2 cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CAO Mx2 Lancero a strong cigar?
Yes—it registers as medium-full (4/5 on the strength scale), with a notable white pepper presence on the retrohale. However, the strength is balanced by cream and cocoa notes, making it accessible to experienced smokers rather than a raw power play.
What does the CAO Mx2 Lancero taste like?
The flavor arc moves from dark cocoa, molasses, and charred oak through espresso, toasted cedar, and dried fig, finishing with dark chocolate, ancho chile heat, and earthy loam. It's a complex, evolving smoke with Mexican San Andrés as the starring voice throughout.
How long does the CAO Mx2 Lancero take to smoke?
Approximately 90 minutes. The 7.5 x 40 Lancero format, combined with a slow, even burn, demands patience and rewards deliberate, attentive smoking.
What is the best pairing for the CAO Mx2 Lancero?
Aged Guatemalan rum (Ron Zacapa 23 or Botran Reserva) harmonizes beautifully with its molasses character. A Malbec from Mendoza is an excellent wine alternative. For non-alcoholic options, cold-brew coffee with cinnamon or Mexican hot chocolate reinforce the San Andrés sweetness and earthy backbone.
Is the CAO Mx2 Lancero good for beginners?
Not ideally. The medium-full strength and the Lancero vitola's demand for precise rolling and careful smoking technique make it better suited to intermediate or advanced aficionados. Beginners may find the 90-minute commitment and flavor complexity more rewarding after gaining experience.
Where can I buy the CAO Mx2 Lancero?
As a CAO brand cigar from General Cigar, it is widely available through authorized retailers, both online and brick-and-mortar cigar shops. We recommend verified, reputable dealers to ensure product authenticity and proper storage.
What is the price of the CAO Mx2 Lancero?
The CAO Mx2 Lancero retails between $9–$13 per cigar, making it an exceptional value for a hand-rolled, medium-full strength smoke with genuine terroir character.
Is the CAO Mx2 Lancero worth aging?
San Andrés leaf is aged prior to rolling, and no extended post-roll aging is formally documented for the Mx2 line. The cigar is designed to be enjoyed fresh; additional aging is not a primary consideration, though it may mellow slightly over time if stored properly.
What wrapper does the CAO Mx2 Lancero use?
Mexican San Andrés Maduro in the Colorado Maduro shade—a deep espresso brown leaf with a subtle toothy texture and restrained oily sheen. The double San Andrés construction also uses San Andrés as the binder, concentrating Mexican leaf character throughout.
Where is the CAO Mx2 Lancero made?
The cigar is hand-rolled at the General Cigar factory in Danlí, Honduras. It was introduced around 2013 and is built entirely around the double Mexican San Andrés leaf concept—wrapper and binder alike.