Montecristo Dantes LE SOM DIC 16 (MRW)

[rcarlson]

I'm glad that the weekend comp gave me a chance to dust off one of my Montecristo Dantes.  It is a beautiful stick with flawless construction.  A smooth oily dark chocolate wrapper that looks as though it it was just pulled wet from the potter's wheel. The feel in the hand is just right.  Evenly packed and balanced, much like a well-rolled Esplendido.

The draw proved to be perfect as well.  Not much resistance, but not too easy either.  Burn was even and produced a light grey ash throughout, as expected.  There was some of momma's love baked into this. 

I must confess that I am a Monte LE junkie having been weaned onto them from the glorious days of the 2010 LE Grand Edmundo followed by the killer 520s that every Monteholic knows are worth every cent of the double band premium.  

Unlike most of the regular production Montes I've sampled, the first legs produced a very pronounced, complex earthy, woody, cedar, and light spiciness. The usual buttery mocha was absent, replaced by a baking-chocolate-like refrain throughout.  

The middle-stretch produced the traditional coffee with some toasted almond while maintaining the earthy woodiness it started with.  This stick is unlike any Monte I've had before.  Like an old crush, not in a bad way. Just different. 

As the smoke warmed in the last stretch, it took on an ever more botanic intensity.  I was disappointed that the richness its appearance foretold was lacking.  The burn and draw, however, remained perfect. 

Overall, I believe these need more time.  It's all there, just needs more marinating.  I am doubtful these have any chance of fitting into the unassailable GE or 520 category though, if that's even possible.

Although I love the format, I'd assign it a grade of B.  If it stops cutting classes and turns in all of its assignments, I think it could raise its grade to an A-.