AshMap
Overview
There is a particular honesty to a cigar that knows exactly what it is. The CAO Mx2 Natural Toro does not posture, does not chase the collector's humidor, and does not pretend to be something pulled from a locked vault in Estelí. What it does — and does with quiet competence — is deliver a coherent, medium-bodied Honduran smoking experience at a price that invites repetition rather than reverence. The Mx2 line, CAO's dual-wrapper experiment rolled in Honduras, offers this Natural expression alongside its Maduro sibling, and the distinction matters: where the Maduro leans darker and sweeter, the Natural showcases the Corojo leaf's earthier, more structurally elegant side. This is a cigar built for the porch, not the podium.
Before the flame touches the foot, the wrapper tells its own story — a Colorado-shaded Honduran Corojo with a silky, almost polished surface, minimal tooth, and a medium-brown hue that catches light without fanfare. The cold draw is clean and unobstructed, hinting at dry cedar and a faint hay-like sweetness that promises restraint rather than bombast. That first pull delivers toasted cedar immediately, backed by a mild leather that sits low on the palate like a worn armchair. A gentle nuttiness — roasted cashews, specifically — rounds out the opening, while the retrohale introduces a whisper of honey and light hay. Nothing shouts. Everything speaks.
The center third is where the Mx2 Natural finds its stride. Earth notes deepen beneath the cedar, and dried fruit emerges with surprising clarity — dried apricot first, then raisin, each folding into the other like pages of a well-worn book. Baking spice and white pepper appear on the finish, adding a gentle friction that keeps the palate engaged. What's most striking here is the creaminess that builds incrementally, softening the cedar's edges and lending the smoke a rounded, almost pastoral quality. The draw remains open and effortless throughout, and the burn line — though requiring an occasional minor touchup — holds its composure with the quiet dignity of a cigar that costs three times as much.
The final third tightens. Strength ticks up mildly — never crossing into full-bodied territory — as roasted coffee and dark cocoa take the lead. The sweetness that defined the first two thirds transitions into something drier, more tannic, reminiscent of espresso grounds left in the cup. A lingering woody bitterness settles on the finish, not unpleasant but decidedly more austere. The ash, firm past the inch mark with a light gray coloration, testifies to solid construction. At 75 to 90 minutes, this is a cigar that respects your time without rushing you through it. It is, in the end, a workingman's cigar in the best sense — unpretentious, reliable, and far more capable than its price suggests.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Honduran Natural (Corojo) — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Honduran and Nicaraguan long-fillers, blended for medium body |
| Country of Origin | Honduras |
| Vitola / Shape | Toro |
| Size | 6 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $8–$12 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Short-term aging; not a long-aged release, intended for accessible everyday smoking |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The opening delivers toasted cedar, mild leather, and a gentle nuttiness — reminiscent of roasted cashews. A subtle sweetness on the retrohale hints at honey and light hay, with a clean, accessible draw.
Second Third
The center third sees the profile develop into earth and dried fruit notes — dried apricot and raisin subtly emerge alongside baking spice and white pepper on the finish. Creaminess builds on the palate, softening the cedar.
Final Third
The final third tightens slightly in strength — a mild uptick — with roasted coffee, dark cocoa, and a lingering woody bitterness. The sweetness from earlier transitions to a drier, more tannic finish reminiscent of espresso grounds.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Generally well-constructed for its price tier — burn lines stay even with occasional minor touchups, draw is open and effortless, and the ash holds a firm inch-plus with a light gray coloration.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A light aged rum such as Bacardi 8 or a mild wheated bourbon like Maker's Mark — spirits that complement without overpowering the medium body
Wine
A medium-bodied Tempranillo from Rioja Crianza or a soft Côtes du Rhône — nothing too tannic or heavy
Non-Alcoholic
A medium-roast Colombian drip coffee or a mild black tea with honey to echo the natural sweetness in the blend
Who Should Smoke This?
Picture a Thursday evening in late September. The porch light is on, dinner is done, and there's nothing left on the day's agenda except a light aged rum and an hour of quiet. This is the cigar for the smoker who has been at it long enough to know what they like — maybe they keep a handful of Padrón 2000s and Oliva Serie Gs in the humidor — but who also understands that not every smoke needs to be an event. They want cedar and dried fruit, not fireworks. They want a cigar that rewards attention but doesn't demand it. The Mx2 Natural Toro gives them a clean, medium-bodied profile with enough transitions to stay interesting through the final third, and enough forgiveness in the draw to smoke while reading, talking, or simply watching the light fade. It asks nothing of you. It gives more than it should.
Bottom Line
The CAO Mx2 Natural Toro is not trying to be a special-occasion cigar, and that's precisely its strength — a coherent, clean, medium-bodied Honduran smoke that punches well above its $8–$12 price point. Keep a box on hand for guests, for weeknights, and for the quiet moments when a great cigar would be wasted but a good one would be perfect.
Similar Cigars
Explore all CAO Mx2 cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CAO Mx2 Natural Toro a strong cigar?
No — it's rated Medium (3/5) on the strength scale. Physically, that means you'll feel a gentle nicotine presence without any rush or lightheadedness, and the body remains approachable from first puff to final third. The mild uptick in the last third is noticeable but never crosses into full-bodied territory.
What does CAO Mx2 Natural Toro taste like?
The first third delivers toasted cedar, mild leather, and roasted cashew nuttiness with honey and light hay on the retrohale. The second third shifts into earth, dried apricot, raisin, baking spice, and white pepper, with building creaminess. The final third brings roasted coffee, dark cocoa, and a drier, tannic finish reminiscent of espresso grounds.
How long does CAO Mx2 Natural Toro take to smoke?
Expect 75 to 90 minutes. The 6 x 52 Toro vitola provides a substantial smoke, and the open, effortless draw means you'll move through it at a comfortable pace without it ever feeling rushed or overheated.
What is the best pairing for CAO Mx2 Natural Toro?
A light aged rum like Bacardi 8 or a mild wheated bourbon like Maker's Mark works best — these spirits complement the medium body without overpowering the cedar and dried fruit notes. For wine, a medium-bodied Tempranillo from Rioja Crianza or a soft Côtes du Rhône is ideal. Non-alcoholic options include a medium-roast Colombian drip coffee or mild black tea with honey.
Is CAO Mx2 Natural Toro good for beginners?
Yes — it's one of the better entry points in the $8–$12 tier. The Medium strength means no nicotine wall, the open draw is forgiving of imperfect technique, and the flavor profile is clear and approachable without being bland. Newer smokers will find it accessible; seasoned smokers will find it honest.
Where can I buy CAO Mx2 Natural Toro?
This cigar is sold through premium cigar retailers, including brick-and-mortar tobacconists and major online cigar shops. As a value-tier CAO release, it's widely distributed and typically available in boxes, five-packs, and singles at most well-stocked cigar retailers.
What is the price of CAO Mx2 Natural Toro?
Expect to pay $8–$12 per cigar, depending on your retailer and whether you're buying singles or by the box. At that price, it sits comfortably in the everyday value tier — affordable enough to smoke regularly without feeling like you're burning through a special-occasion stick.
Is CAO Mx2 Natural Toro worth aging?
Not particularly. This is a short-term aging release intended for accessible everyday smoking, not a long-aged cigar. The Honduran Corojo wrapper and medium-bodied blend are designed to be enjoyed fresh, and extended humidor time is unlikely to yield dramatic transformation. Smoke them now.
What wrapper does CAO Mx2 Natural Toro use?
It uses a Honduran Natural (Corojo) wrapper in a Colorado shade — medium brown, silky with a slight sheen, and minimal tooth. This wrapper contributes the cedar, earth, and dried fruit character that defines the Natural expression, distinguishing it from the Maduro version of the Mx2 line.
Where is CAO Mx2 Natural Toro made?
It's made in Honduras, where CAO's factory heritage is rooted. The Mx2 line — both Natural and Maduro expressions — is rolled at the same Honduran factory, and this cigar represents CAO's commitment to Honduran production within their broader portfolio.