Camacho Corojo BXP

There is a rather simple way for a cigar manufacturer to create an extension to a popular brand of parejo-shaped cigars other than just adding another vitola or two—produce the blend in a box-pressed format. Historically, box-pressing dates back to an early time in Cuba when the exporters were attempting to reduce international shipping costs by cramming extra cigars into a single box. As the cigars remained in the slightly overstuffed boxes, they gradually transformed from cylindrically-shaped to squarely-shaped. This new shape became quite popular with smokers and manufacturers were soon deliberately producing box-pressed vitolas. Additionally, a box-pressed cigar usually delivers a better draw and a slightly fuller flavor than its parejo-shaped cousin.

At the beginning of this year, Davidoff’s Camacho division launched a new series of cigars dubbed BXP. The Camacho BXP line takes three of the company’s most popular blends—the Connecticut, the Corojo, and the Ecuador—and produces them in three box-pressed vitolas with subtle enhancements. Dylan Austin, vice president of marketing for Davidoff, said—

SEE ALSO: Camacho Ecuador Box-Pressed BXP Toro Cigar Review

Camacho Corojo BXP Toro Breakdown

The Camacho Corojo BXP is the most recent extension to the company’s storied Corojo blend. This new line of box-pressed cigars is produced in three traditional sizes—Robusto (5” x 50, $8.00 MSRP), Toro (6” x 50, $8.25 MSRP), and Gordo (6” x 60, $9.25 MSRP). Individually wrapped in cellophane, the vitolas are shipped in colorful, highly-lacquered dress boxes containing twenty cigars.

The tobacco composition of the Corojo BXP is virtually identical to that found in the standard cylindrically-shaped offerings—a Honduran Corojo wrapper, a Honduran Corojo binder, and long-leaf Honduran Corojo filler. However, in the case of the box-pressed BXP, the filler component has been enhanced with the addition of Pennsylvania Broadleaf tobacco.

Appearance

The Camacho Corojo BXP Toro is a rather rough looking cigar, its edges asymmetrically rounded instead of forming the strict ninety degree angle found on the majority of cigars classified as box-pressed—soft-pressed is probably a better descriptor of the vitola’s cross section. The cigar’s wrapper is lumpy in several areas and fairly unattractive. While the seams are tight and there is little tooth, two large veins run lengthwise along the surface and the cap is haphazardly applied. Its overall color is medium brown—a mixture of burnt umber, chestnut, and chocolate—with dark contrasting splotches of taupe scattered across the face. A medium amount of oiliness produces a tactile sensation when rolled between the fingers.

The BXP is encased with a large, lightly-embossed band printed in the colors of midnight black and bright red. The word “CAMACHO” resides vertically in the center of the band with a graphic interpretation of a striking scorpion underneath. Above “CAMACHO” is the phrase “INFAMOUS SINCE 1962” while the words “COROJO” and “BXP” are placed at the bottom of the band underneath the scorpion. Fairly firmly packed from the foot to the cap—with a substantial soft spot above the band—the wrapper aroma is delicate with a touch of sweetness, while the open foot smells of bread, clay, and light barnyard.

After the toro is opened with a substantial “V” cut—which reduces the risk of damaging the the cap on a box-pressed cigar, compared with using a guillotine cutter—the cold draw is a just a bit resistive. Flavors of cedar, earth, natural tobacco, and pepper immediately touch the palate.

Smoking Experience

After toasting and lighting the Camacho BXP with a soft double-flame lighter in the traditional manner (see “The Cigar Enthusiast’s Guide to Soft Flame Lighting“), the toro opens with a discernible blast of spice. Since the cigar is primarily composed with Honduran Corojo tobacco, it soon begins to settle down and deliver the general characteristics of the leaf—an overall woody profile containing underlying earthiness along with a mixture of pepper. The draw of the BXP is fairly open, generating a substantial amount of smoke output. Subtle aromas and flavors of caramel, molasses, oak, and salted nuts begin to mingle together with the primary notes, while cedar and red pepper are dominant on the sometimes sinus-clearing retrohale.

As the Camacho enters into its second third, it starts to display the following general characteristics—medium-to-full in strength, medium-to-full in body, and medium-to-full in flavor. While the primary aromas and flavors present in the first third of the cigar continue to dominate the profile, the Pennsylvania Broadleaf tobacco in the filler begins to assert itself—adding additional notes of damp soil, a mild sweetness, and a meaty quality. The smoking experience is fairly thick and chewy.

Room aroma is reminiscent of a woodworking shop filled with sawdust-covered artisans puffing on pipes and cigars—hickory, mahogany, oak, pine, and lots of natural tobacco. Honduran Corojo tobacco is somewhat flame retardant (in my experience) and the burn line is quite wavy, holding a little over an inch of grey ash highlighted with streaks of ebony. On the retrohale, the red pepper present in the first third is supplemented with a generous dash of black peppercorns. Several touch-ups are required during this phase. In addition, if the BXP is left unattended for more than about two minutes, it will normally require a relight.

During the final third, the flavor profile is pretty much identical to the smoking experience delivered in the second third. The draw becomes a bit more open, requiring only single puffs to produce a prodigious amount of smoke. A touch of bitterness and minerality appears near the end of the cigar’s life, producing a smidgen of roughness at the top of the throat. After a few additional draws, the cigar is placed in an ashtray to naturally extinguish itself.

Would I Smoke This Cigar Again?

The answer to that question is, “Yes. When I am in the mood for the taste of corojo tobacco.” While not very complex, the Camacho Corojo BXP Toro delivers a flavorful smoking experience at an attractive price point—especially when discounts are available. The addition of the Pennsylvania Broadleaf to the filler tobacco produces a subtle enhanced sweetness when compared to the standard parejo-shaped Corojo. Also, I like taking box-pressed cigars to the golf course since they are easy to set down on any flat surface. I purchased a five-pack for that purpose.

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