Cigar Review: CAO 423 / MX3

CAO is developing a history of releasing special cigars from their "Escaparate Collection" that end up only being available in one shop in the country. In 2009, they released the Six-One-Five, available only from Uptown's Smoke Shop in Nashville and last week marked the arrival of the 423, available at Burn's Tobacconist in Chattanooga, Tennessee. To my knowledge, until now all Escaparate cigars (named for the giant humidor at their headquarters that is full of "experimental" blends) were exclusives, but the 423 is a version of the MX3, which has already been available at W. Curtis Draper in Washington, D.C., for some time. So now Southeast Tennessee smokers get a chance to get their hands on the MX3 for the first time, rebranded the "423" for this release (423 being the area code for the Chattanooga area and tying in with Nashville's 615 area code and corresponding Escaparate cigar).

So, you may be asking, what is the difference between the already-released MX3 and this new 423 version? From everything I can tell there are 3 things. First, the number of vitolas; although I haven't been able to absolutely verify this, I am told that the original MX3 is available in only two sizes, while the 423 is available in four. Second, aging; Matt, the manager at Burns, told me that this initial release of 423s is from the first ever batch of MX3 rolled and have been aging in the Escaparate for 6 years before being banded and shipped to Burns. Third, price; while Drapers does not advertise the MX3 for sale on its website, a couple places have indicated that the Robustos are $11 each, which is fairly steep. The 423 at Burns is quite a bit cheaper: Corona, $7.35; Robusto, $8.40; Churchill, $11.65; and Belicoso, $12.60.

If you have read my page about my cigar review methods you will know that I normally smoke a single stick for a review, giving it all my attention while smoking. I mostly reject the notion that you need 3 or 5 sticks to form an opinion on a cigar because they don't really vary that much stick-to-stick if they are obtained from a reputable seller; the bigger variation is in the smoker. For this review, though, I decided to break with tradition and smoke more than one--but I didn't smoke 3 of one size--no, I smoked one each of all four sizes in order to give my impression on all of them.

To be perfectly fair, the robusto was not smoked in "isolation" as I had smoked another cigar (an Oliva G) an hour or so before. I got some odd flavors from the robusto and I have to say I did not really enjoy it that much. It could have been a bad stick. It could have been influence from the Cameroon wrapper of the Oliva carrying over. It could have been the Diet Coke I paired with it or just my general tiredness that day. For whatever reason, I was not thoroughly impressed with it and had to give it a general thumbs-down. Since then, I have smoked the other three sizes and am determined to go back to give the robusto a fair shot of impressing me on its own terms.

Torpedo

The appearance of this one was rather rustic with plenty of mottling--almost black over dark, dark brown--and several medium-to-large veins in evidence. The wrapper had a little oiliness to it, more felt than seen. The aroma from the body was faint (these all ship with no cellophane) but I picked up a little cocoa and some barnyard; from the foot I got a little barnyard and some anise--again very faint. Prelight draw was good and had rich chocolate flavors. There was a little coffee, to, but mostly lots and lots of chocolate.

Initial puffs gave more cocoa, but a good amount of coffee flavor as well. The smoke was very smooth even through retrohaling. When blowing through the nose I got a much different flavor note...a sweet bready note that I did remember from the robusto, although it was much stronger there. After a somewhat wavy start the burn line evened up considerably throughout the first third. The flavors of chocolate and coffee were omnipresent as was that flavor I was coming to term "sweet bread" but the balance here was nice. The extra aging these cigars went through seems to have taken away quite a bit of bite that might have been present earlier--these things are just very mellow.

The second third was a mixed blessing. The bready flavor that I was not so fond of tapered off to be just an accenting note. This allowed for a much stronger chocolate flavor to come through--it was almost like eating a chocolate bar--creamy, smooth, rich. Also there was a little bit of edginess that crept in--almost like the cigar was thinking of being spicy. On the downside the second third opened with a large canoe along one side that had to be touched up.

I am happy to report that in the final third everything came together and the world was a better place. The breadiness went away completely, leaving a stronger dark roast coffee flavor (as opposed to the creamy coffee aspect of earlier) and the chocolate flavor became more of a bittersweet dark chocolate. The burn line evened out well and the draw was almost perfect. This is where the promise of the MX3 was fulfilled in a great ending to a stogie that definitely had its ups and downs.

Body: 6/10          Strength: 6/10          Complexity: 7/10

AFP Scale

Prelight: 2/2

Construction: 1.5/2

Flavor: 4/5

Value: 1/1

Total: 8.5/10

Corona

This one was even more rustic-looking than the Torpedo, with the veins standing out prominently, a few dents and bumps, and even a slight bend. The wrapper was even darker, too, but with a more even color and less mottling. The aroma from the body was pretty much the same as the Torpedo: very faintly of barnyard and cocoa; there was more chocolate from the foot. The cold draw was very easy and featured nice chocolate sweetness.

Initial light-up featured some of those bready notes along with chocolate. This was a very sweet cigar--without being flavored or infused, it had more sweetness and chocolate than any stick I have ever smoked. Fortunately it also had a healthy dose of dark roast coffee bitterness that helps to keep it from being cloying. I paired this cigar with some black coffee and it was simply inspired.

The second third added some marshmallow to the chocolatey goodness. The coffee really a lot to the experience--not only is this possibly the best way to enjoy this cigar, it may be the only way I choose to do so in the future. One thing that blows me away is how good the draw is. I have had a history of draw problems with the MX2 in all vitolas except the Box Press. So far every MX3 I have smoked, though, has had an exceptional draw. You would think with the addition of even more maduro tobacco it would be just the opposite.

One thing to note is how that extra maduro affects the burn while you are not puffing. While I was writing that last paragraph, the stick almost went out. I re-fired it, which got it too hot, probably contributing to the slight canoe I got to start the last third. While not a real construction issue, it should be noted that this cigar will not burn long unattended and has the tendency to overheat if puffed too much--it requires care, balance and attention and, as a result, may be too much work for some people. The flavor in the final third was a delight, with more coffee creeping in and the chocolate becoming a darker, more bittersweet variety. So far, this is my favorite expression of the 423/MX3 and since it is also the least expensive, I am sure to keep them in my humidor for a long time to come. The body seemed a little fuller on this vitola, although still not in the full range, and there was just enough nicotine strength to let you know it was there. There was also a touch more complexity than on the two larger vitolas I had previously smoked. This was a great way to start off the day and a "must-smoke" for any maduro enthusiast.

Body: 7/10          Strength: 6/10          Complexity: 7/10

AFP Scale

Prelight: 1.5/2

Construction: 2/2

Flavor: 5/5

Value: 1/1

Total: 9.5/10

Churchill

This larger vitola was not as rustic in appearance as the Torpedo or the Corona; there were small to medium-sized veins, just a little lumpiness, and just a bit of mottling. Aromas from wrapper and foot were faint like the others and the prelight draw had nice notes of cocoa powder and coffee.

Initial light-up gave me far less smoke than it had on the others. It was not plugged at all but I just did not get much volume unless I puffed three or four times in a row. The flavor had more roastiness of coffee than the others had exhibited this early. While there was some sweetness it was not nearly as much as the others and the breadiness was more pleasant as well. The stick started canoeing shortly into the first third and I ended up touching it up. The rest of the third was mostly about dark coffee and hints of semi-sweet chocolate--not nearly as sweet to begin with as any of the other 3 sticks.

I decided to do something totally different during the second third. My wife was making brownies as I got ready to review this and about this time they were ready for consumption. I do not pair food with cigars often as I just do not have that level of skill, but these warm, just-out-of-the-oven brownies were just about perfect with this 423/MX3. The only thing that could have made the experience better would have been some dark-roast coffee added to it. This was a truly mouthwatering combination that connoisseurs of fine cigars and chocolate should try sometime. Unfortunately, the poor burn and canoe problems continued through the second third as well. I touched it up a couple more times and almost had to relight after the second time I tapped ash.

The last third was similar to the other vitolas in that it had more coffee and a darkening of the chocolate flavor. It was different in that these flavors were even darker and more intense in this vitola, with very little residual sweetness. After smoking all four, I am glad I saved this one for last--in the flavor department it is definitely the stand-out. the construction issues I had were unfortunately not unique--I experienced similar problems in every vitola--and I am not sure what to make of that. It could be a result of the triple maduro blend that makes these issues practically unavoidable, but it is still a bit disappointing. At least I have not encountered a plugged stick, though, as I frequently have done with MX2s; that by itself is fairly remarkable.

Body: 6/10          Strength: 6/10          Complexity: 8/10

AFP Scale

Prelight: 2/2

Construction: 1/2

Flavor: 5/5

Value: 1/1

Total: 9/10

As mentioned before, these cigars are available from Burns Tobacconist in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In the interest of full disclosure, they are a sponsor of this site and did provide the cigars smoked for this review. Burns' east Chattanooga location is off the I-75 at Shallowford Road; 110 Jordan Drive, Chattanooga, in the same building with Chattanooga Billiards Club. You can call Matt, Charlie or Jason at 423-855-5200 to order the CAO 423/MX3; please let them know you heard about it on the Tiki Bar.