Montecristo No. 2 DIC 17 (MRW)

[Bucky McSwensen]

I forget the factory code as these were bought in a 5x3 pack.  Aroma is sweet cocoa with a dry draw of earthy cedar.

First light gives hints of pepper with a dominant flavor of coffee.

As I get into it a bit I get a wave of some sweet peppery spices mixed with cocoa.  This reminds me of the dry rub I make when smoking ribs: brown sugar, paprika, pepper, salt, cocoa powder, cumin.  Good lord if this profile could last this would be my top cigar ever.  But it fades back to  coffee.  Which is fine.  Just not divine.

2nd third is leather and coffee in full force as the cocoa has dropped significantly.  The leather mellows a bit at the midway point and coffee takes the lead.  Little hints of cocoa and cinnamon.  Burn line is all over the place and the ash keeps flaring out.  Doesnt affect flavor or my enjoyment but it is cosmetically embarassing.

Final third has cedar coffee and spices.  Last bit has waves of cinnamon and an almost graham cracker flavor.  Finishes off with a kick of toasted tobacco.

I really liked this stick.  I wish that bbq ein flavor never left and if I could find a stick that had that the whole way through I would go insane.  Overall I loved it.  Definitely has some potential for aging.

Scoring

I'd value this cigar at $17.00

Cuba rating = 1.76

Purchase rating = 1.49

(Ratings are based on a ratio of value/cost. 1.00 means I value it the same as it cost.  Less means it wasn't worth the purchase.  More means it was a deal)

[TheMonk]

Another solid review!