Montecristo 80th Anniversary Unknown box code (JMRW)

[Meklown]

For the Special One I had to have A Special One. 

I had heard great things about this cigar (winning the champions league) and been looking for this cigar since it released but it wasn't until around exactly one year ago I chanced upon it at a price I thought was reasonable (on hindsight, way too much).

It was beautiful on the wrapper. No obvious veins/cracks to be seen (winning always looks good from the outside). Responded well to the dry box with a perfect cut with my scissors. Cold draw was just 100% creamy chocolate. Reminded me of a tiramisu truffle from Venchi.

The very first puff was creamy. Smooth clotted cream (slick-tongued first press conference). This is a Montecristo. You're know what you're going to get - Chocolate (defence). This was one huge bar of chocolate (one big parked bus).

As I worked through the cigar gradually, there was little to no change in tastes (starting to get boring). The chocolate flavour was still there, a very slight nuttiness phasing in and out, but I always felt that the cigar was very reserved. There was to be no burst of flavour, no excitement, just simple yet functional tobacco (football) but it was a winning combination. 

There was no hint of roughness / astringency all the way to the nub. The burn was fantastic throughout, although at one point I smoked too slowly, it almost went out, I tried to puff several times without relighting, and I think that caused a mini tunnel. I then let it go out and relighted, and it was business as usual again. 

Overall, a really good smoke, although further complexity would add more points. Much like a Mourinho team, you know what you're going to get with this Montecristo, it was defensive yet brilliant, and a winner. It arguably outstayed its welcome, but it delivered the goods as mandated.

A solid 91 points. 91 for when Sp*rs last won a trophy (I refer to the FA cup. League cup is not a real trophy). 

[NSXCIGAR]

Lowest score I've seen for a Monte 80th. I guess we found our baseline!

[Meklown]

3 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

Lowest score I've seen for a Monte 80th. I guess we found our baseline!

Personally I give myself a lot of headroom for various levels of mindblown-ness (sorry I struggled to find a word there). 90 is basically perfect while 100 means my head has exploded from how great that cigar was.

If one is using a 100-point scale I prefer to make use of the whole range of 100 rather than rating every cigar between 95-100; you could just use a 0-5 scale if that's the case.

A 70% was already a First Class Honours back in University..

[Tstew75]

Funny you say the cigar never really changed from start to finish. More times than not that's what you get from Monte, particularly young.

70% chocolate, toasted oat, malted chocolate milk, no hard edges.  At least you know what you're getting ?