Montecristo no. 2 2020 (BPCRW) (12DCRC)

[Meklown]

Wonder if one review can be entered into 2 concurrent review comps? I listed monte 2 early as my regular production cigar of the year while its also in the Xmas sampler! Mods/anyone can advise and I'll remove it from either comp if it's not allowed.

 

Don't have the box code handy on this because I split half the box with someone else and the box is no longer with me! It was from the 24:24 on Oct 9 so if anyone has a record of the code for that day please let me know. 

Recent boxes have been really good. This year I started jumping into Monte 2s and they've generally been great. I have always liked Monte in general, and have had several boxes of Edmundos for the larger smokes. The 2s this year have really turned me to the other side instead. 

As this isn't my first stick from that box, there is a bit of expectation already - chocolate, spice, and cream.

I didn't test the draw pre-light, but once I lit it up it was definitely loose and probably underfilled. The taste was fine though, as expected, chocolate, baking spices and cream. Probably a bit less creamy than other examples that came before, but that's really nitpicking. 

With the loose draw I tried to be careful not to smoke it too fast, in case of overheating. After an inch of so, the burn started getting really wonky. I kept having to do small touchups. The second third presented woody flavors, like an old dusty oak bookshelf. 

Final third, the burn finally decided to turn straight. Peace at least! Strength and body continued to stay medium, while flavors did not evolve too much. Very good overall, another great example of the 2. 

Overall score 86/100. Would have been a bang on perfect 90 pointer if construction was better and burn behaved. Nevertheless, enjoyed this smoke quite a lot.