Montecristo Especial AMP AGO 20

[Bijan]

-11.75C, 11F but no wind. 80-90% humidity. Just got 8 inches of snow today. About as much snow as we ever get at one time today. Had maybe 4 inches yesterday too.

First cigar out of the box after almost a month of rest.

Cigar a bit over official weight but not too heavy. 9mm punch. Tight draw a little perfecdraw and it was fine. Could feel a twig but couldn't get it out as I couldn't find needle nose pliers pointy enough.

Aroma of barnyard, cold draw creamy, buttery.

Starts out very chocolate. Then cocoa, and coffee. A very light earth for a bit too. First 15-20 minutes were somewhat Montecristo like.

Then savoury slightly creamy tarragon (that tingly feeling you get from tarragon). Rest of cigar was reminiscent of a Partagas Serie du Connaisseur no. 1.

Very tingly. Very pleasant.

Some citrus peel a little past halfway.

Some hickory BBQ in the final third.

A hint of mint in the final 5-10 minutes.

An hour and fifty minutes in the cold, to a complete nub.

My precious heater to keep me company at night. Special mention to my heated socks and heated hoodie.

Burn razor sharp and no touchups at all. Cigar stored in cooler with 65% boveda, cooler at about 3.6C, 38.5F in my cold storage room.

Solid 5/5.

 

[Goodfortune]

Nice review @Bijan. Cigar sounds great, these are on my list to try but I have yet to come across them. You’re a trooper out there in the cold! ?

[WalterG]

Great review! Also good idea on the heater. I've been doing the same but its not nearly as cold as it is in Canada ?

[NSXCIGAR]

Good to see some Especial coming back around. Been thin on the ground lately. 

[Chibearsv]

Sounds like a cigar that I need to give a go.  Nice review.

[TobaccoRoad]

Great review and Big Respect for being dedicated enough to smoke regardless of the cold weather!!! 

[MrBirdman]

Been on the hunt for these for ages. 

[SpecialK]

@Bijan  Nice review... and you are a far tougher man than I am... It's 33f outside with about 10 inches of snow and I don't want to go out ! even with the Propane heater  

[PuroDan]

Great review Bijan. Im not much of a MC fan, other than #4 when they are on but i love the MC Especial #2. Really classy sophisticated stick. With 4-5 years on them they are amazing

[smbauerllc]

Very nice review. Really wish I were able to do reviews as well as you.
Also these are on my list to try and they are a little on the pricier side so it is nice to read a good review of them

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[oneizzzz]

Great review.  You know a cigar is good when it keeps you out in the cold...  Would love to try an especial from 20.

[mbrody]

Thanks for the great review. I had my last one years ago, which was memorable, and have been trying to nab a box without success. Jealous of that heater!

[bishop532]

I’m jealous of those socks and the hoodie!
 

Nice review @Bijan - do you find the especiales often smoke like the serie du connaisseur 1? Or was this a one off? Ive never tried either one but I’ve always been interested. Ive got access to a few especiales singles; thinking about picking up one or two. 

[Bijan]

26 minutes ago, bishop532 said:

I’m jealous of those socks and the hoodie!
 

Nice review @Bijan - do you find the especiales often smoke like the serie du connaisseur 1? Or was this a one off? Ive never tried either one but I’ve always been interested. Ive got access to a few especiales singles; thinking about picking up one or two. 

This one was a bit of a one off. But I definitely do find them more complex and with flavours out of the usual Montecristo wheelhouse.