Montecristo 1935 Leyenda 2019 (XNYRC)

[bbguardsp]

After some disappointment with the Dumas (overpowering chocolate) I ordered a quarter box of Leyenda from 24:24 a while back to see how the vitola changes the profile.  This example had a nice dense pack that revealed a perfect draw on cutting.  Slightly sweet and mild cocoa powder dry draw.  Not much aroma at cold except a slight sweetness.

First third - Just under medium body.  Milk chocolate, cocoa powder, roasted coffee, hay, and some white pepper through the nose.  Finish is short and mostly up front as it only lasts a few seconds after each draw (prefer longer finishes).  More smoothness, balance, and complexity than the Dumas though I'm not getting any "rich" flavors in particular.

Second third - Tilts up to medium.  Milk turns to more of a dark chocolate mousse, white pepper gone from the nose but some on the still short finish, generic wood note is teasing in.  Cocoa powder, coffee and hay remains.

Last third - Medium full.  Finally some rich dark chocolate on the now medium length finish.  White pepper has shifted to a more ground black variety.  Sweet cedar and espresso.

Score: 89

Great construction with no touchups required.  Had the entire cigar been like the last third I would have box purchase in sight.  Was mostly let down by the disappearing finish through most of the cigar.  Right now I have a box of RUM ABR 19 Edmundos I prefer over this flavor-wise.  Then when I'm considering pricing the Leyenda falls a bit short.  Pleasant and smooth with some class to note, but I'll be checking out the Maltes in the future for more satisfaction.

[Wookie]

5 minutes ago, bbguardsp said:

After some disappointment with the Dumas (overpowering chocolate) I ordered a quarter box of Leyenda from 24:24 a while back to see how the vitola changes the profile.  This example had a nice dense pack that revealed a perfect draw on cutting.  Slightly sweet and mild cocoa powder dry draw.  Not much aroma at cold except a slight sweetness.

First third - Just under medium body.  Milk chocolate, cocoa powder, roasted coffee, hay, and some white pepper through the nose.  Finish is short and mostly up front as it only lasts a few seconds after each draw (prefer longer finishes).  More smoothness, balance, and complexity than the Dumas though I'm not getting any "rich" flavors in particular.

Second third - Tilts up to medium.  Milk turns to more of a dark chocolate mousse, white pepper gone from the nose but some on the still short finish, generic wood note is teasing in.  Cocoa powder, coffee and hay remains.

Last third - Medium full.  Finally some rich dark chocolate on the now medium length finish.  White pepper has shifted to a more ground black variety.  Sweet cedar and espresso.

Score: 89

Great construction with no touchups required.  Had the entire cigar been like the last third I would have box purchase in sight.  Was mostly let down by the disappearing finish through most of the cigar.  Right now I have a box of RUM ABR 19 Edmundos I prefer over this flavor-wise.  Then when I'm considering pricing the Leyenda falls a bit short.  Pleasant and smooth with some class to note, but I'll be checking out the Maltes in the future for more satisfaction.

I grabbed a fiver of Maltes from 24:24 and though the flavor was pretty classic Monte, the harshness of the last two thirds was somewhat unpleasant. Hoping it's just youth. I prefer my Edmundos and #2 right now (all 2014-2016 boxes). I just received a box of Leyendas from the last 24:24 and I have my fingers crossed....they generally seem to have the best reviews of the Linea 1935 series. Hope your experience was due to one off/ROTT? The 

[bbguardsp]

3 minutes ago, Wookie said:

Hope your experience was due to one off/ROTT?

Entirely possible, yes.  Rested for 2 weeks and dryboxed for 3 days.

[mbflash80]

Smoked through the line and to me Maltes stands firmly in first place...Leyenda second and Dumas a very distant third.