CNY - Montecristo No. 1 - POS JUN 11

[Philc2001]

It’s been a wonderful rejuvenating week thus far, a bit lazy, just doing some odds and ends around the home, and a few stock trades for tax harvesting before the end of year. The cold is really nipping at the north east, but down here in the south it has been very pleasant and comfortable. When the weather is this nice and the mosquitos are dormant, that’s when the long smokes come out. For this occasion I roasted some Italian chestnuts, pulled a lovely box pressed six-year old Montecristo No. 1, paired with a delicious 2010 Cerro Anon Reserva Rioja I recently discovered. I love oaky wines, and this one is comprised of 80% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha and a 15% mix of Mazuelo and Graciano, aged 20 months in wood before release.

I poured a glass for myself and my beautiful wife of 26 years, clipped the square Monte, and headed out to the pool deck at 7:35pm. The temperature is 79DF and 65%RH, not cool, but comfortable. The air is still and very quite as my torch flame licked the boot of the No. 1 to the rhythmic chirping of the crickets fornicating in the background on this calm evening. The first few drags are a little tight but quite acceptable. Moderate plumes of smoke scattered over my deck releasing a lovely bouquet of toasted bread, roasted hazelnuts and smoldering firewood. Body started out a little on the mild side, with cocoa and creme presiding in the foreground, and hints of black tea in the background, while the red wine livened things up with cherry and oak. What a blissful combination, right away I knew this would be a memorable smoke. 

 

The first third burned flawlessly, and the ash hung on for two inches before I broke it off. Approaching the mid section the Monte opened up nicely, and flavor became enriched with mocha and mild baking spices, while a perfectly divine aroma settled around me and sent me into a delightful trance. Unfortunately, words often fail to convey the spirit and the well of sensations that wash over me when a good cigar strikes all the right notes, but suffice to say it is virtually hypnotic. Try as I might to catch up on the news on my iPhone, it was like the words vanished the moment I read them from the screen as drag after drag whisked me off into a higher plane. I honestly don’t remember any of the articles I read.  

 

Approaching the close of the second third I remembered the roasted chestnuts I had brought out and peeled a few for my soulmate and I. At that moment my son sprang forth onto the patio announcing his arrival from Orlando where he is a junior at UCF. Hungry as a bear waking from hibernation, he gave us a hug and together he and my wife trotted inside to fix a meal, leaving me alone with this Monte masterpiece. Within a blink, I fell back into my trance, and the parade of mocha, spices, cocoa and creme continued to wash over me like a tide. 

 

The final third commenced with minimal change. Though not overly complex, the incredible balance of medium body, rich aromas, and the simple yet refined flavor profile are just impossible to pull away from. The burn continued its unwavering accent towards the finish. A pair of two-inch slabs of ash rest in my ashtray like twin pitons. Body gained a little strength into a moderate medium, while the cocoa subsided slightly to a hint of expresso.  Baking spices are still evident in the finish, while baked bread enhanced the aroma that is lingering in the still air. The temperature has been slowly falling, now to 75, and a slight breeze is shepherding the evening dampness in, nudging the gauge to 80% RH, it is near perfect out at this time. 

 

The burn is making it difficult to hang on to the encroaching red embers so I let the nub rest on my lips for a couple of minutes to avoid singing my fingers, and then regretfully I put the remains of this Monte nub down to rest.  You may be thinking I’m gushing relentlessly over this cigar, and I suppose I am, but exaggerating I am not. This has so far been one of the most euphoric smoking experiences of the year for me. I love a good Lonsdale, but the Montecristo No. 1 eluded my collection until 18 months ago. I cannot explain why it took me so long to discover this magnificent gem, it was hiding in plain sight, but now that I have it will be a permanent resident as I scour the earth for more of its kind. I think it is safe to assume I have a new favorite in my collection.

 

The final score is 9.7 on my personal scale, a truly outstanding cigar, but for a bit more complexity it would be a perfect 10. The temperature now rests at 73, while the RH has notched up further to 82%. The time when I put the nub down was 9:50pm, two and a quarter hours to smoke from start to finish, and yet it seemed to pass all too soon. Magnificent! Thanks to @HarveyBoulevard for facilitating this memorable experience via trade. 

 

 

[Doctorossi]

Lovely review. I'm still trying to find a Monte 1 that really sings to me.

[Philc2001]

Maybe the No.1 is not your siren song, but I'm sure there is another vitola that will harmonize with your taste buds somewhere out there 

[PatrickEwing]

Very well done. Thanks for that. 

[Islandboy]

Well done! I had no idea crickets chirp WHILE fornicating - but it does seem to make perfect sense 

[joeypots]

Well done. I like the MC#1 a lot. I'd have one instead of much of the fat 2 band stuff that's being offered these days. Well kept with a little age and the MC tangy taste does it right for me.

[Fugu]

Thanks for the review. Well done! A shame that this is such a forgotten stick and an overly disregarded format today. This is where the smart money goes.

[HarveyBoulevard]

Finishing one from that same box now.