Montecristo #2 PSP - OPG Jun14 - Montecristo Review Week

[skalls]

So my third and final Monte review this weekend is the classic #2.  Now to be brutally honest, this isn't my favorite or second favorite pyramid.  The Dip #2 holds that title, it may not hit the highs that a Monte 2 can achieve, but is far more consistent cigar to cigar.  This is a PSP box of #2s, they all look gorgeous.  But of the 8 I've had so far I've had 2 that were in the mid 80s, 3 in the high 80s, and 2 in the high 90s.  They've all been good, but they've ranged from "meh" to "holy crap I need another one of these now!"  So while I like these cigars, I find myself reaching for Dip and Hup #2s instead (which also explains why I have 3 boxes of Dips...)

Anyways, enough of my rambling, on to my review.

Pre-Light:

The wrapper is supple and very oily.  It also feels very firm.  Upon cutting the draw is perfect. I mean literally perfect, it feels as if it's overfilled but the draw has the right amount of resistance.  I am a bit concerned about the oil content though and I fear the wrapper, while thing won't burn evenly.  I'm getting chocolate and espresso from the draw.

First Third:

The second half of the Bison game started so I'm throwing up the horns =)  We also won, 31-10.  Anyways, the cigar is off to a great start.  Smoke output is fantastic.  The smoke itself is thick and creamy.  It's a long lasting finish as well.  It's right at medium bodied.  Espresso, Chocolate, toasted nuts, cream are the main flavors I'm getting.  I swear I'm getting coconuts but it's very fleeting and willing to chock that up to my imagination. True to my fears I did have to touch up the burn after the ash falls.  It's annoying but doesn't detract from the flavors I'm getting.

Second third:

The football game was won in the first half, the Bison are just content with running as much time off the clock as possible.  Some would find this style of play boring but we're undefeated and have 5 straight FCS titles.  Pretty sure it works.  

Back to the cigar, man I'm digging this cigar.  Body continues to be medium.  The burn isn't perfect and every time the ash falls I have to touch it up.  I did manage to ash myself too.  I wasn't imagining the coconut flavor.  It's definitely in there mixed in with the cream, espresso, chocolate and roasted nuts.  It's a welcome addition and the first time I've had that in a #2.  This continues to be an excellent cigar.

Final Third:

Games over. I'm a happy camper.  Switched over to the Ryder Cup and see that we are doing well against the euros.

Sadly the coconut flavors disappeared here during the final transition.  On the plus side this cigar has totally gone and turned into a chocolate bomb.  The cigar got very hot to hold toward the end, but the smoke itself never once got warm.  No sign of any youthful character either.  

Final thoughts:

This has been an utterly delightful cigar.  Though I'm frustrated by the seemingly lack of consistency that this box has given me to date, it's been quite interesting though.  It was moderately windy today so I did smoke it a bit quicker than normal, but it did last 75 minutes.  If the rest of the box continues to be like this box then I've got a special one in my possession.  However, I have a feeling that I probably have 6 more of these cigars (along with 6 meh and 6 pretty good ones).  I'm not sure what these will age like but given my propensity to reach for other #2s this box will likely last me another couple of years.

94/100

[Bohn007]

I have a recent box of PSP's that I will be curious to see how they age in the upcoming years. No hurry to smoke them though as I have boxes from 2008 and 2010 that I have yet to break into along with a more recent box from St. Martin that is smoking pretty good. 

[Sean3]

Very nice review Mr. skalls.

[David88]

Nice review! I can't say that I have ever had much luck with monte 2s but it looks like I need to keep trying!

[TheMonk]

Nice review!

[Smoke6]

Nice review indeed!