CAO Mx2 Lonsdale Review

Overview

There is a moment, about halfway through the CAO Mx2 Lonsdale, when the smoke turns a corner. What began as a straightforward, leathery introduction becomes a study in restraint—a narrow ribbon of heat that carries espresso, dark chocolate, and a chili spark that never quite ignites. This is the Mx2's quiet genius: it doesn't shout its Mexican San Andrés pedigree; it whispers it through a lens of focused intensity. The Lonsdale vitola, a slender 6.5 x 44, is the perfect vehicle for this blend, forcing the smoke through a tighter channel that concentrates every note into a laser-like beam of flavor. Where larger ring gauges might muddy the San Andrés leaf's earthy sweetness, this format sharpens it, delivering a profile that feels both deliberate and unhurried.

The pre-light draw offers a foretaste of the journey: damp earth, a hint of raisin sweetness, and the faint metallic tang of dried chili. Once lit, the first third unfolds with a rich, dark cocoa that coats the palate, underpinned by a pronounced saddle leather note and a dry cedar that cuts through the sweetness. The San Andrés wrapper announces itself not with a blast, but with a persistent, almost savory undertone—a subtle, brooding presence that suggests depth rather than display. By the second third, the blend's architecture becomes clear. Espresso and toasted almond emerge, while the initial chili pepper evolves into a warm, tingling spice that rides the retrohale with surprising elegance. The body builds steadily, a medium-full pressure that fills the mouth without ever becoming harsh or aggressive—a testament to the binder's role in harmonizing the Nicaraguan filler's kick with the wrapper's earthy soul.

The final third is where the Mx2 Lonsdale earns its keep. The earth intensifies, turning almost mineral-like, while dark roast coffee and a sustained cocoa-leather finish create a long, satisfying denouement. The pepper spice lingers on the palate after each draw, a ghost of the heat that never fully materialized. The burn remains firm and even throughout, with a dark grey ash that holds past the inch mark—a small miracle for a cigar this slender. The draw offers a slight, rewarding resistance, pulling just enough smoke to keep the flavors dense and the temperature cool. This is a cigar that rewards patience, not just in its construction but in its narrative arc: it starts with a promise, builds with complexity, and ends with a quiet, confident resolve.

Within CAO's sprawling portfolio, the Mx2 often gets lost amid flashier releases, but this Lonsdale is a sleeper hit. The double San Andrés construction—wrapper and binder from the same Mexican region—is a genuine differentiator, creating a coherence that single-wrapper blends rarely achieve. It's not a gimmick; it's a philosophy. The result is a cigar that tastes unmistakably of its terroir, offering a focused, earthy, and slightly sweet profile that feels both rustic and refined. At its price point, it's a rare find: a daily smoke that doesn't compromise on character, a cigar that invites contemplation without demanding it. For those who have written off CAO as a mass-market also-ran, the Mx2 Lonsdale is a compelling argument for a second look.