Montecristo No. 2 2012? (XNYRC)

[BlueRidgeFly]

First cigar of the '20s! A Cuban classic. A torpedo with a brown band, white lettering, some squiggles around the sides.

This thing is packed. Clip the cap, draw is tight, clip a bit more, still resists more than I want. Light it up... mild, light wood, a nutty note, faint baking spice of some sort. Much like the other Monte 2 from my Amsterdam visit in June, seems past its prime. Knowing this would probably smoke like the first, I had wet the wrapper under the tap hoping it might enhance things. Don't think it helped or hurt.

Gotta fix the draw. I run it through with the PerfecDraw, and what do you know, it becomes perfect ?

First third - Burn line is fairly straight, decent smoke output. Flavors are probably a pale version of what a Monte 2 should be. It's my second one ever though, so I'm clueless. A little caramel, raw almond, light graham cracker, and hint of milk chocolate on the finish. Burns evenly and cool to the touch even at the ember. But overall, it has been fairly dull.

Second third - Ash finally drops. Pound cake, slightly sweet, some almond. A bit more smoke, a bit more flavor. Near the end of the second third it's become richer, still has a well-behaved burn. Not much complexity, just more cake, caramel, light wood. Smooth. A pretty big caramel taste blooms... Nice.

Final third - Need a finger to cover up a new crack in the wrapper to get a good draw. Gets a little harsh and exhaust-like, but with a rich cake note underneath. And it's out. Relight... 

An inch and some change left. Rich and creamy, some cocoa and milk chocolate very noticeable. The wrapper has cracked to pieces near the very end in these mid-40s, dry temps, but tasting really good here.

It was good not great, 87/100. The last third was nice, just a little boring most of the way there. I think people who like milder cigars would have enjoyed this more. I sometimes do but wasn't in that mood for my first stick of 2020.