Greetings Don Anastasio!

[El Presidente]

Greetings Don Anastasio! by Punch Joe

Everything ready for today's combination. As reads in the title I will taste the Don Anastasio, an aged Tequila that my fellow smokers from Mexico state it ranks very good over the average. Let's review the scenery: My patio under sun assault, the bottle, music playing in the background,* Kings of Leon to be more precise* my Casco Viejo glass, lime and salt.

Regarding the last two, well…that's not exactly my style…Anyway, aged tequilas requires no salt and lemon. Just mentioning. The combination is rather promising since I'm choosing a Montecristo No 2 Gran Reserva (the classic pyramid with a 52 girth and 156 mm in the length) recently launched at the Gala dinner in the late Habanos Festival held in February 2011. Looks like more tequila than cigar but I daresay it might not. What I love is the tasting experience right now.

This Monte Reserva comes in small gift case given to the attendees to the closing event. Nice touch. It comprises two beautiful figurados aimed to be smoked at the Gran finale. But my choice was to l

eave it for some time resting at home waiting for a more relaxed occasion to enjoy. Lacquered black box with a Montecristo trimming on the side and a silk black ribbon attached to the cigars for a better handling out of the box. They smell good and the construction is superb. The wrapper is gorgeous regarding the color and it's a pleasure to feel the cigar between my fingers.

While lighting the Monte Reserva, the aroma that develops is intense and the smoke is thick. I think it's time for the first shot of Tequila. The leaves used in the making of this production have been carefully selected to be later stored and aged for 5 years so the result is very outstanding. My palate is really pleased and says thanks.

The blend is very well balanced and easy to sense the refined tobacco flavor with great character with mellow and wooden notes along the smoke. I don't know what the price tag for the cigar would be but I would say that it is going to be a sought after Habano when it reaches the market place. Hope pricing doesn't go insane since I want every smoker to experience the same as me. I love the creamy taste, smooth at the beginning but slightly strong when smoking to the second third. Been burning evenly and slowly as I gently puff on the cigar.

I had the chance to smoke the first batch of these productions last year at the factories and we went even further in the tasting. We did a comparative tasting without bands against a regular Montecristo No 2. And the difference was loud and clear to me. Back to the Tequila once again and it seems to match the cigar very well in a stiff competition regarding strength. Not completely sure about this but it makes me going from one to another intermittently. Uncle Anastasio did a good work. Regarding the Monte, I let the pictures do the talking.

Over a half an hour went by; music keeps playing on, still no blurry vision and I keep enjoying the duet. More shots, more puffs… And if you get wasted in the operation, that's the idea, Ken.

Brand: Montecristo

Commercial Size: Montecristo No 2 Gran Reserva 2005 Harvest

Factory name: Piramides

Type: Figurado

Presentation: 5 000 exclusive numbered cases of 15's.

[Plato]

Any idea when these are going to hit the market Rob?

[El Presidente]

Any idea when these are going to hit the market Rob?

It looks to be November. No idea on pricing at this time.

[Colt45]

Thanks Punchy!

I'm not a big fan of tequila with cigars, but wouldn't turn it down for some fun in the sun

Thanks for being go-between for these RA.

[riazp]

Wow, Thank once again Joe for a great write up, I doubt i'll be able to sample one of those, but who knows...

[DblToro]

Very nicely done Jose. Hope that we get to meet you someday soon. Andre

[tinknocker924]

great pictures the monte 2 gran reserva looks amazing

[CanuckSARTech]

Very cool, thanks for sharing, Joe and Rob.

[Stalebread]

Nice. I really like the way you describe things.