Cao Lx2

[CWS]

Sitting at my local B&M today decided to try the Lx2. The wrapper was dark and oily but horrible. Visible defects and flaws with one that looked like it had been patched with glue. I was suprised by the condition. I clipped the cigar and pre drawn was easy with a deep earthy taste. Fired that baby up. The cigar had a very good burn until it reached the first flaw, then I had to touch it up a few times. The wrapper is very thick which I believes helps the birn. Lots of smoke. Nice rich medium flavor. I waited for the ligero to hit ala LFD Chisel DL. Didnt happen. Nice medium strength throughout. Not a sophisticated cigar as it did not seem to change much. Enjoyable smoke but for the buck I was left asking, "Where's the beef?" For $8.60, (California prices) I think there are many better cigars for the price. If I could get them cheaper, I would probably smoke another one.

 

[njstone]

If I could get them cheaper, I would probably smoke another one.

I'll keep that in mind
:devil:

 

[NightStogy]

Funny this should come up. I sent this to all the email addresses I could find for CAO today:

I typically don't do things like this but I was encouraged to do so after some bad experiences with the LX2.

I am a huge fan of CAO cigars. Since I first tried a CX2 I have loved the products CAO puts out such as the America, Italia, Brazilla, MX2, and the Sopranos. I was very excited to get a hold of the LX2 about a month ago. I was told that they were hard to get by the B&Ms I frequent.

The LX2 hit me right out of the gate with good spice and complex flavors. I loved the taste and aroma. There was a problem, however, the cigar came unraveled at the head. I thought this was due to my cut so I just dealt with it. Then the foot started to come unraveled. Within 15 minutes into the cigar it was falling apart on both ends and I smoked it as long as I could until it was just flaring up all on the unraveled parts and then it was just falling all over me. Despite the construction problems I was very impressed with the flavor profile and just dismissed the problems as being an anomaly.

I purchased another one a number of weeks ago and let it sit in my humi for approximately 4 weeks. 70% humidity. I watch it constantly. I smoked it last night in the car on a long trip. Immediately I noticed after clipping the cap that the cigar had a tight, very tight draw. Not just tight, it was plugged. So I cut lower on the cigar hoping to bypass the draw problems. Still had draw problems. I could barely get anything through it and I came to the conclusion that it was unsmokeable after trying for about 30 minutes. Very frustrating. I know that it isn't a terribly expensive cigar but on my budget these cigars are a special treat; not something I can afford every day.

I noticed that both cigars were very tight, which is better than a soft roll. Usually the mark of a good cigar.

I just wanted to let you all know about the construction problems I am seeing with the LX2. I don't know if you have had other complaints but from my discussions on message boards and at local B&Ms I am hearing that this has been happening with these new cigars. This is certainly not something that happens typically with a CAO cigar. I am sure that if it is something with production it can be adjusted.

Thanks for listening. Please forward this to the appropriate personnel.

Thanks,

 

[njstone]

Funny this should come up. I sent this to all the email addresses I could find for CAO today:

I typically don't do things like this but I was encouraged to do so after some bad experiences with the LX2.

I am a huge fan of CAO cigars. Since I first tried a CX2 I have loved the products CAO puts out such as the America, Italia, Brazilla, MX2, and the Sopranos. I was very excited to get a hold of the LX2 about a month ago. I was told that they were hard to get by the B&Ms I frequent.

The LX2 hit me right out of the gate with good spice and complex flavors. I loved the taste and aroma. There was a problem, however, the cigar came unraveled at the head. I thought this was due to my cut so I just dealt with it. Then the foot started to come unraveled. Within 15 minutes into the cigar it was falling apart on both ends and I smoked it as long as I could until it was just flaring up all on the unraveled parts and then it was just falling all over me. Despite the construction problems I was very impressed with the flavor profile and just dismissed the problems as being an anomaly.

I purchased another one a number of weeks ago and let it sit in my humi for approximately 4 weeks. 70% humidity. I watch it constantly. I smoked it last night in the car on a long trip. Immediately I noticed after clipping the cap that the cigar had a tight, very tight draw. Not just tight, it was plugged. So I cut lower on the cigar hoping to bypass the draw problems. Still had draw problems. I could barely get anything through it and I came to the conclusion that it was unsmokeable after trying for about 30 minutes. Very frustrating. I know that it isn't a terribly expensive cigar but on my budget these cigars are a special treat; not something I can afford every day.

I noticed that both cigars were very tight, which is better than a soft roll. Usually the mark of a good cigar.

I just wanted to let you all know about the construction problems I am seeing with the LX2. I don't know if you have had other complaints but from my discussions on message boards and at local B&Ms I am hearing that this has been happening with these new cigars. This is certainly not something that happens typically with a CAO cigar. I am sure that if it is something with production it can be adjusted.

Thanks for listening. Please forward this to the appropriate personnel.

Thanks,

Nice letter, let us know if you get a response!

 

[jmatkins]

Thanks for the input from each of you. I do like CAO a lot and have been wating to try this one, I know I will at some point but will look for any issues that come up.

 

[Soundwave13]

I anxiously awaited the arrival of the LX2.
I finally got a couple, smoked them & was not impressed. In fact, I didn't like them at all.
The Gurkha triple ligero is significantly better IMO.
Tasted dirty, stale quality to the smoke, a very one-trick pony.
Although I didn't experience any burn or draw problems.

 

[CWS]

Funny this should come up. I sent this to all the email addresses I could find for CAO today:

I typically don't do things like this but I was encouraged to do so after some bad experiences with the LX2.

I am a huge fan of CAO cigars. Since I first tried a CX2 I have loved the products CAO puts out such as the America, Italia, Brazilla, MX2, and the Sopranos. I was very excited to get a hold of the LX2 about a month ago. I was told that they were hard to get by the B&Ms I frequent.

The LX2 hit me right out of the gate with good spice and complex flavors. I loved the taste and aroma. There was a problem, however, the cigar came unraveled at the head. I thought this was due to my cut so I just dealt with it. Then the foot started to come unraveled. Within 15 minutes into the cigar it was falling apart on both ends and I smoked it as long as I could until it was just flaring up all on the unraveled parts and then it was just falling all over me. Despite the construction problems I was very impressed with the flavor profile and just dismissed the problems as being an anomaly.

I purchased another one a number of weeks ago and let it sit in my humi for approximately 4 weeks. 70% humidity. I watch it constantly. I smoked it last night in the car on a long trip. Immediately I noticed after clipping the cap that the cigar had a tight, very tight draw. Not just tight, it was plugged. So I cut lower on the cigar hoping to bypass the draw problems. Still had draw problems. I could barely get anything through it and I came to the conclusion that it was unsmokeable after trying for about 30 minutes. Very frustrating. I know that it isn't a terribly expensive cigar but on my budget these cigars are a special treat; not something I can afford every day.

I noticed that both cigars were very tight, which is better than a soft roll. Usually the mark of a good cigar.

I just wanted to let you all know about the construction problems I am seeing with the LX2. I don't know if you have had other complaints but from my discussions on message boards and at local B&Ms I am hearing that this has been happening with these new cigars. This is certainly not something that happens typically with a CAO cigar. I am sure that if it is something with production it can be adjusted.

Thanks for listening. Please forward this to the appropriate personnel.

Thanks,

IMHO 70% is way too much for this cigar. What you outline is typical of a cigar that has too much moisture can closed up. Try 65%.

 

[njstone]

IMHO 70% is way too much for this cigar. What you outline is typical of a cigar that has too much moisture can closed up. Try 65%.

That's my experience with most CAOs--higher than 65% = draw and burn problems.

 

[Jfire]

I've had 5 or 6 of these in the last few weeks. All were from the same box (i believe) from the B&M I frequent. All had wonderful flavor, excellent burn, and were very tasty. They didn't change much during smoking but had a wonderfull smooth chocolate flavor with hints of spice and heavy smoke the whole way thru. It has actually been 1 of my favorites in IL around 6.00 price point lately. Never had any wrapper problems or others issues to speak of. There definitely not a ligero bomb. But I did still notice a little "heady" after smoking these. I'm not always a full body smoker so for me it works well.

 

[NightStogy]

IMHO 70% is way too much for this cigar. What you outline is typical of a cigar that has too much moisture can closed up. Try 65%.

Thanks for the advice. Didn't know. Still a noob here. The B&M said 70%. I try to dry box a cigar a few days before smoking it help it burn better.

What humidity level will you start to damage your stash?

 

[CWS]

Thanks for the advice. Didn't know. Still a noob here. The B&M said 70%. I try to dry box a cigar a few days before smoking it help it burn better.

What humidity level will you start to damage your stash?

I kept thinking I was getting bad boxes until someone suggested I lower the RH in my humidor. Luckily I rarely throw out a cigar if I clip it and it doesnt draw. Imagine how happy I was when all those cigars opened up! :hearteyes

 

[NightStogy]

UPDATE: CAO responded to my email that I sent them on 1-3-09. I received the following email on 2-12-09. Still haven't seen any product yet.

Dear Mr. Vance:

Your evaluation of the LX2s has traveled to South America—both via e-mail and in the hands of our president. What we have found is that our initial shipment did not include a humidipak inserted at the factory before celloing the box which would control the humidity inside the box while in transit. Our distribution facility is humidity- and temperature-controlled, but we do this to help while the cigars are with FedEx or UPS. Additionally, a new product generally is rolled by our more experienced rollers. This process is being evaluated this week during our president’s visit to the factories as well. What you describe seldom happens with CAO cigars and should be detected with the draw-test that is applied to each cigar before packaging.

Please allow me to replace your cigars with what I expect to be excellent smokes for you. Send me the shipping address you wish me to use.

With my apologies,

Madonna A. Archer
Director of HR and Customer Relations
CAO International, Inc.

 

[jwintosh]

well, at least they responded!

 

[simmons_j_m]

Tasted dirty, stale quality to the smoke, a very one-trick pony.
Although I didn't experience any burn or draw problems.

This was my experience too. Bought one from the B&M and held on to it for a couple weeks waiting for the right moment to "experience" the hype... When I fired it up I just got earthy flatness... there was no spice and I tossed it about halfway through. :argh: Can't remember the last time I did that to a cigar...

I thought it was a dud, but not after reading many others' experiences... :dunno:

 

[Donk]

I have tried several of the LX2 cigars. I even tried a lancero. All the cigars I have had had quite a bit of power behind them. But the Lance sucked it wouldn't draw and I ended up having to pitch half a cigar. I have to say I will be bypassing these cigars in the future. Half assed attempt by CAO to produce a LFD.

Good review Gentleman

 

[Zen Cigar Man]

CAO is a great marketing company. They have pushed the cigar industry to do things they normally wouldn't. There marketing and cleverness is second to none.

That said, I don't think have any great cigars (the Cameroon is OK) in their portfolio, and they have a lot of cigars! It's a shame their relationship with Don Douglas had to end all of those years ago, they made some great cigars with him.

 

[VillageIdiot]

Wow! You got a response back, and they are sending replacements. Good deal. I've had a couple of robustos. I like the flavor profile, but I was expecting it to be stronger. Turned out to be a good medium bodied smoke.

 

[ReggieFSULaw]

I had some trouble with the lanceros. More than a few of them had draw problems. I'd imagine because of the size that can happen a lot if they are poorly rolled. First two I smoked had tight draws. Third one was fine. I prefer medium-bodied cigars, but I like stronger cigars in the lancero size. I can enjoy the flavors more without being overpowered by the strength. I think the Lx2 is a fine cigar, just too many defective sticks out there.

 

[gbpacker66]

I have been looking forward to trying these cigars. But now from the reviews that I have seen, I am having second thoughts. I am a fan of the Mx2, and the Soprano's, Haven't had a Brazillia in a long time. I probably will try one of these just to check it out.

 

[Soundwave13]

Update - I've had two of the lanceros & they were both very very good.

As I said - I didn't like the line, but I gave it a second shot with the lancero size...
I didn't have any draw or construction issues & it burned & tasted fantastic.

Now the only issue is that I don't want to pay $9 for it. I'll go with a El Triunfador instead everytime.