CAO Black Bengal vs Illusione Epernay Le Matin
How do CAO Black Bengal and Illusione Epernay Le Matinstack up? Here's the head-to-head — strength, wrapper, flavor, size, and critic ratings — plus which one to reach for.
The short answer
The CAO Black Bengal and Illusione Epernay Le Matin sit at a similar medium strength, so it comes down to flavor and origin.
- Strength
- Body
- Medium
- Medium
- Origin
- Honduras
- Honduras
- Wrapper
- Ecuadorian Connecticut
- Nicaraguan Corojo '99 Cafe Rosado
- Binder
- Nicaraguan Habano
- Nicaraguan
- Filler
- Nicaraguan, Mexican, Honduran
- Nicaraguan Corojo '99 / Criollo '98
- Vitola
- Toro
- Box-Pressed Toro
- Size
- 6 in × 50
- 6.75 in × 46
- Rating
- —
- 94/100 · 2010
- Flavor
- CreamOakVanillaCedarSpice
- HoneyStone FruitCedarCreamToasted Bread
The verdict
- Strength
- Both land at Medium — a similar body either way.
- Critic scores
- Illusione Epernay Le Matin carries the published pedigree (94 points from the critics).
- Flavor
- CAO Black Bengal leans creamy; Illusione Epernay Le Matin leans sweet. Pick the profile that calls to you.
Both are worth knowing — the "better" cigar is the one that fits your taste and the moment.
CAO Black Bengal vs Illusione Epernay Le Matin — FAQ
- Is the CAO Black Bengal or the Illusione Epernay Le Matin better for beginners?
- They're a similar medium strength, so neither is clearly easier — choose by flavor. The CAO Black Bengal brings cream and oak, the Illusione Epernay Le Matin honey and stone fruit.
- What's the difference between the CAO Black Bengal and the Illusione Epernay Le Matin?
- The CAO Black Bengal is a medium Honduras cigar with a Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper; the Illusione Epernay Le Matin is a medium Honduras cigar with a Nicaraguan Corojo '99 Cafe Rosado wrapper.
- Which is rated higher, the CAO Black Bengal or the Illusione Epernay Le Matin?
- CAO Black Bengal: no published critic score yet. Illusione Epernay Le Matin: Cigar Aficionado 94/100.