FOH Xmas & New Year Review Comp 2018: Monte 1935 Leyenda

[slowsmoke]

I acquired this behemoth as a single, and have no idea the box code.  It's been sitting in my humidor for about six months, calling to me.  I had some time today, and felt like celebrating surviving a holiday vacation with the kids.  It is good to be home.  Sadaf Cardamom tea turned out to be a great pairing.

The wrapper is a splotchy mix of light and dark, and smells heavenly, like buttery chocolate and a very distinct honey aroma.  Construction is firm and even.  And the draw, hallelujah, is perfect (probably on the light side for most people).

First puffs are cocoa powder, which quickly turns into a dry dark chocolate, and slight coffee.  Then a distinct, bread-like brownie flavor.  Not creamy or sweet, but a dry chocolate cake flavor, and it is excellent.  It is burning faster on one side, requiring regular touch ups, but nothing fatal.

Second third continues the awesome brownie flavor, adds a little gingerbread, and a little cream on the finish.  It is so good.  I keep wanting a big, thick, chewy draw, but the cigar just won’t deliver it.  Thinking about the Partagas E2, how it delivered thick, silky smoke, and I wish this one would do the same.  Perhaps the draw is a bit too light, but that is a trade off I will take.  The burn finally evens out.  Flavors are starting to get a little raw, strong black coffee, earthy.  Maybe a little Christmas tree?

Final third, some of the magic is lost, it is developing some char.  Still lots of chocolate though.  Like taking a big bite of a dark chocolate bar, and chewing it up.  A touch of spice that I call baking spice because my palate can’t figure it out.  In the very end, reminds me of a Mexican hot chocolate with a touch of hot peppers.  A solid nicotine buzz.  It finishes full-bodied, by my standards.

I didn’t keep track of the smoking time, but my impression is that it burned faster than I expected.

Overall, a really great smoke.  Nice progression of flavors, all of which were up my alley, and it never showed any harsh edges.  Definitely something I’d like to have a few more of in stock.  If I had a box smoking this good, I wouldn't feel the need to age them any further.  That box price is a little hard to swallow though.