Last week marked the end of a very exciting contest at Stogie Fresh. The CAO LX2 Photo Contest was our first-ever photo contest. Over 6,000 people visited the contest page and we had nearly 100 entries into the contest. On behalf of Jon Huber and myself, I'd like to thank all the contestants; there were some stellar submissions.

One of the purposes of this contest was to draw attention to CAO's latest offering, the LX2. This cigar has received my highest commendation as it was the featured cigar on the Stogie Fresh 5 cigarcast on March 15, 2009.

The CAO LX2 was also awarded a ‘91’ rating (“OUTSTANDING”) in the April 2009 issue of Cigar Aficionado and was also the highest-rated cigar in the Corona Gorda category. LX2 is the eleventh CAO cigar line to receive a ‘90’ or above rating from Cigar Insider and Cigar Aficionado. 

According to CAO president, Tim Ozgener, “The LX2 blend was inspired by the tobaccos from a small, relatively unknown, 140-acre farm outside of Condega, Nicaragua."  Added CAO Chairman Gary Hyams, “CAO strives to produce cigars that are diverse in taste and consistent in excellence; that this is our eleventh brand to receive the benchmark ‘90’ rating is a testimony to the hard work everyone has put forth at CAO.”

Packaged in boxes of 20 cigars, CAO LX2 is available in four shapes: Rob (5" x 52), Toro (6" x 50), the torpedo-shaped Beli (6 1/2" x 52), and the new Lancero (7 ½" x 38).

After whittling down the contest entries to about 32, our panel of 4 judges finally nailed down our top three prizewinners. Below are the contest winners and a few honorable mentions. I have listed our judge's comments below.

LX2 CONTEST WINNERS

First Place: "BET IT ALL ON LX2."

Prize: LX2 Limited Edition Humidor

Submitted by Troy Taormina

Comments:

"The association with craps table is very clever. With the economic condition looking grim, you want a cigar you can count on to be good every time. But also, this photo points to a relaxing pastime. You can just imagine folks sitting around a table, smoking, drinking (I'm sure there is a scotch just out of view) and gaming. Just having a really great time!"

"A great job on an advertisement.  Nice photo, thoughtful concept."

"Chips and cigars, my favorite pastime!"

"Good bet, indeed! Don't think I didn't miss the lucky 7 on those dice."

Second Place: "LX2 STAR WARS"

Prize: Box of LX2 Cigars

Submitted by: Michael Jackman

Comments:

"Highly imaginative and amusing. Entirely too much time on one's hands."

"Great photo, " not because of photo quality, but because of the effort, creativity and cleverness.  Well done!"

"Star Wars parody is creative and cute. I don't know what you are drinking or smoking, but keep up the great work!"

Third Place: "REFLECTION CONNECTION"

Prize: Sampler pack of LX2 Cigar and a CAO Ashtray

Submitted by David Zulch

Comments:

"Great photo! Very nice balance between the cigar, the ashtray, and the frothing libation.  Very nicely done."

"Gotta like that cool reflection of logo on the glass. Kinda spooky."

"I don't know what that drink is, but it looks great beside that cigar. Great balance and nice photo of cigar."

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

"SMOKING"

Comments:

"This photo exemplifies 'pure smoking' and shows off the beauty of the LX2 cigar."

"Most professional of all photos."

"Good enough to eat!"

"FROM THE BIRTHPLACE OF TOBACCO"

Comments:

"Nice product picture centered over its geographical origin."

"Clever and creative. The background showing the prime tobacco-growing regions of the world is a hint at the origins of this fine cigar."

"EXECUTIVE CIGAR"

Comments:

"If Jon Huber was an LX2."

"You've gotta' like the impression made by this photo. The LX2 dressed for success."

"A FLAVOR AT NEW HEIGHTS"

Comments:

"Great use of Photoshop. Excellent caption."

"Awesome! Kind of reminds me of the Sta-Puft marshmallow man in Ghostbusters."