Montecristo No. 2, Single/No code: Monte Review Comp 2016

[Bohn007]

I got this cigar from a spot in the Caribbean that had good reviews that we visited last April and while there, they offered to ship me smokes if I ever wanted. As they ship without bands and boxes, I have no idea as to the codes but I believe that it is a quality Monte. It has been in the humidor for about 5 months now. Still, this is was shipped before I discovered our President and FOH so I can see the differences as this has a lighter wrapper and would never be considered PSP/HQ. More like a PE but construction is good overall. I am smoking these first before I dip into the Prez's PSP's to give the FOH cigars time to settle.

Cold, the cigar smells great with some grassy notes. The cigar is young, probably a 2015 smoke. After lighting, the burn is perfect and doesn't require any correction. For the first third, it has a creamy expresso flavor initially with some cherry that comes and goes. 

For the second third, the flavors keep the creamy undertones but getting more cedar sensations with the cherry still coming and going. I love a good Monte and this cigar does not disappoint. 

As we go into the final third, the strength increases a little from a medium to maybe somewhere in between medium and full. Getting a little pepper but the creaminess and expresso flavors stick around. The draw fantastic and the burn is still good even though with the rain we got earlier today, I am sure the humidity outside is high. The woodsy cedar flavors are becoming more prominent with the tartness from the cherry coming and going as well. As my wife gets home, she brings several cigars that a fellow BOTL sent over but he is still stuck on NC cigars so while appreciated as they are Opus X, I know that this Monte is twice the cigar for half the price. I will smoke this down to the knub and enjoy every moment. It's a young cigar which would only get better with age but when you have the Prez's PSP's, the choice as to what to smoke becomes simple. 

 

[subport]

Thanks for the review.

One thing about PSP/HQ. Its not about the colour of the wrapper. Its more the sheen and oils and aroma and caracter what makes it up there. However the oil can definitely make it look darker. Still we are plenty around this forum prefer some cigars with lighter coloured wrapper if the sheen fine and oils are present.

[TheMonk]

Another very nice review on a great cigar. Well done!

[backbone]

Good job!

[Sean3]

Thanks for the review 007, I'm finding the Montes to be consistently good lately.  Cheers.