Montecristo Number 2 GEM ENE 20 12DCRC

[ChangBang]

Not from the Xmas sampler, but had a Monte no2 that I got in one of those Pirámides sampler boxes that are both older in age(Jan vs Jun) and older in terms of being rested (received 9.10.2020 vs 10.14.2020).  Smoking in my garage to avoid the cold with temps being 25-30F and watching Wednesday day football with my Ravens.

Did my best to set myself for success by buying a non flavored sparking water and not smoking a cigar yesterday in an attempt to have a clean palate.  Not sure if that day off cigars helped but I'll do what I can if anyone has any other tips!  Have the usual OJ that I've really started to enjoy after watching the FOH beverage video.

Gave it an angled snip and light and we're off.  Draw is good and the cigar feels good, I might try to weight them like I've been noticing in other reviews and see how it corelates to the draw.  

1/3 - Chocolate and leather.  Chocolate fell off after about an inch and the leather took over.  

2/3 - Leather still the dominant flavor and getting some hints of grass/hay flavors 

3/3 - Leather died down and getting a rich tobacco note.  I'm guessing this could be described as something else as I've tasted this note before, but all that comes to mind is a rich deep tobacco flavor, which is very nice.  Got some nutty hints mixed in there before I was done.

One thing to note is throughout the entire cigar I had harsh undertones mixed in that came through every now and again.  Retro amplified this quite a bit - due to age?  Improper storage?

I'll give this cigar a 6/10, a little above average.  The draw was on point which I've started to really appreciate with cubans.  Took 1 hour to smoke and didn't encounter too many burn issues, had to do a small correction with a strip not burning as quickly.  Disappointed the ravens lost, but wasn't too shocked with all the players on the covid list.  Hopefully we can squeeze into the playoffs, but who knows.  It's a tad early but I may start drinking now.  Will do the BBF from the sampler tomorrow!