Montecristo 4 RAE SEP 15 McRW

[Wailbait]

I really wanted to take this time to try one of the 2014 Monte 2s that I got earlier this year on trade.  But today I felt like consistency.  And while a good Monte 2 is a lovely thing, consistent they are not.  
This has been a fabulous box and sadly I  am down to three.  Weight and pack are great.  

First half:

This cigar is just plain elegant.  It’s not the last word in complexity, but flavor is refined and burn is razor sharp.  It’s a lot of coffee and cocoa.  Dark chocolate, but not milk chocolate, as some of my Monte 2s have been.  

Second Half

Flavors ramp up but don’t really change.  This has been a good experience.  With some boxes of cigars, I bemoan the fact that it’s almost done but with these I feel like they have had a good arc.  I smoked all of them between 2018 and today and that feels correct.  3-5 years on these feels like a good run and I anticipate this box will be done by years end.  It’s interesting because I have a box of 2014 Monte 4 that are only 1/4 smoked from because those are much more prepared to go the distance.  

 

[Kayslay]

I acquired a box of 2012 4s off of auction not long ago and unfortunately I haven't had the same experience. They seem to be fairly non-descript and harsh for their age, unfortunately. However I blew through a box of 2017 and thouroughly enjoyed them ?‍♂️. I am beginning to think each year's crop makes a substantial difference. Personally, I feel like most of the 2019 cigars I have smoked have been amazing (besides Monte 2). Maybe a good year for Cuban tobacco.

[Wailbait]

I also observe trends for years of production.  Some years seem better than others and, through my notes and observations, I try to focus on acquiring years that work for me and staying away from ones that don’t.  I have heard phenomenal things about 2019 Sticks but I haven’t tried any yet.  Excited to do so however.