Montecristo Linea 1935 Leyenda UNK CODE: 48 and Over Review Weekend

[Guest Nekhyludov]

Back in July, @El Presidente asked for some help with a few reviews. At the time, the sampler of the three vitolas of the Linea 1935 that the FOH team generously sent me from a previous contest were still resting in my humidor.

Well, yesterday was the 90-day mark and I've been itching to light up the Leyenda to see how it compares to the 80 Anniversario. It definitely qualifies as "48 and Over." Way over. 

The Leyenda has the exact same dimensions as the Anniversario. The wrapper is not as dark as one sees on the best Montes, but it is beautiful nonetheless. Medium colorado in color, but bright and vibrant. It has a pronounced velvety texture with small cilia rising from the surface near the burn line. The roll is tight, and construction feels perfect. Very firm, suggesting no risk of underfilling. The aroma at cold is sharply sweet and leathery. It takes a bit of time to light the foot, on account of the relatively massive 55 ring gauge. Once lit, however, it burns cool and even. The draw is perfectly firm.

From the very first draw, the characteristics of the Anniversario emerge. Bitter cocoa, sweet cedar. The aroma off the foot is pure, sweet almond paste.

Through the first third, the cocoa note evolves into a creamier, sweeter milk chocolate flavor. That's balanced against a deep, earthy truffle note that reminds me of what I often pick up in cigars after ten or more years of age.

By the start of the second third, the milk chocolate note has become dominant, with just a bit of savory mineral in the background. A bit of white pepper has crept in as well.

Performance has been excellent throughout. And the aroma has mellowed a bit, but is still sweetly nutty.

The middle portion of the Leyenda alternates between white pepper and milk chocolate, and flashes of a bright, pine wood flavor.

The last third takes on some heat and leaves a bit of an ashy finish, but the chocolate base remains.

In the last third, the flavors fall apart. The smoke becomes hot, tarry, and wet until the ciagr goes out. A relight and a purge brings back some slightly sweet, earthy flavors. But the vibrance of the first half is gone.

The Leyenda shows quite a bit of promise, but just isn't nearly as rich or consistent as the 80 Anniversario. But even a lesser imitation of the Anniversario is still pretty good. I wish I could say this was worth a box purchase, but I think I'll keep my powder dry for another ROM or MEL box of Anniversarios. 

 

[Derboesekoenig]

Great review. I have an unopened box, but I think I'll leave it rest for 5-6 years. It's interesting to see that you liked the 80s better, as 95% of the other reviews about the entire 1935 line seems to go the opposite direction.

[Danimalia]

Great review. I haven't had a chance to try any of the 1935s yet.

[Guest Nekhyludov]

4 hours ago, Derboesekoenig said:

Great review. I have an unopened box, but I think I'll leave it rest for 5-6 years. It's interesting to see that you liked the 80s better, as 95% of the other reviews about the entire 1935 line seems to go the opposite direction.

It's entirely possible that some age will do wonders for these. It's really just the last third that disappoints. 

[joshhooper7]

Monte is my favorite marca so I will have to give them a test drive at some point. It makes sense that the 80th's were better as Montecristo put their best foot forward there, where the 1935 Linea's are another regular production cigar.

[MooseAMuffin]

Fantastic review, Joe! The descriptions were great. Loved the comment of "cilia", which I would have dumbly referred to as hairy. Great pic as well!

[Derboesekoenig]

Reminds me of Cohiba Behike as far as presentation. I wonder which marca will be next to present a "premium" offering similar to those two...

[slowsmoke]

Nice review.  I've had one of these sitting in my humidor for a couple months now.  It is by far the prettiest and best smelling CC I've handled yet.  Looks and smells like it's smeared with dark honey.  Had to make it my avatar.  The thing is freakin yuuuge.