Montecristo 2000 EL Robusto

[mk05]

Yoruba Hacker gifted me one a couple weeks back, but I haven't had any time to give it the attention it commands. After receiving, this cigar went into the "ready to smoke box" environment of 72F and 61-3RH for 16 days or so (I like my cigars at least at room temp. I find that they are more flavorful). I sparked this cigar up with him while watching dumb Eli Manning squirm under SF pressure, but miraculously pull of a win. Now the stars have aligned and my Patriots will earn back their rightful place. He went to his wheelhouse (Trini Reyes), and I started to examine the Monte Robusto.

Visually, this cigar is the epitome of an old Monte. (I tried to take a HQ picture, hopefully it came through) The old monte's don't look very pretty. They look almost dusty, veiny, rustic, ancient - reminiscent of times past - as if it had been left on the bookshelf for a couple years. The cigar is box pressed, and has a pleasant feel to it (I'm partial to box press). The fill and condition of this cigar are just right - not too giving and not to hard. Not much fragrance coming off the cigar, as it is very old, just a whiff of mahogany.

Once lit, you know that this cigar has passed its prime. There's no real flavors anymore, just a light taste of smokey firewood and nothing else. That classic old taste that I once remembered is long gone, and the power has subsided. This cigar, as with my previous experiences, tends to burn somewhat erratically, and quickly. This was no exception. Not that it was a chore, but I did have to maintain from canoeing several times, and I was about halfway through in 25-30 minutes (even with laying it down several times).

About 2/3 inch left in this smoke, and I rediscovered the magic. If you've ever had this cigar before, you know what I'm talking about. This cigar tastes like Christmas. All of a sudden, there's a rush of pine, followed by sugary minty candy cane, a bit of burnt marshmellow and firewood, ending with cinnamon and a little hint of nutmeg. Five long, slow puffs, and it was over.

Kind of sad these are over the hill, I wonder how the 2001 EL Robustos are. Can't give this a rating, as I am closing the book on this once magnificent vintage.