Montecristo Especiales No. 2 REG OCT 19 (XNYRW6)

[MrBirdman]

I decided to pull this out after the recent thread on this cigar. For lack of time and the weather I haven’t smoked much lately so it’s been almost two months since I had one. 

Outside is basically pristine. Cut with my BR scissors, the draw is absolutely perfect. Like all narrow RG Habanos these can sometimes need loosening up around the head - this, despite being hard as a rock there, drew perfectly. 

1st Third: Opening is milder than usual, a dash of cocoa and coffee. I do indeed get some woodiness on these - it’s a note I typically don’t care for but I enjoy it here. 

2nd Third: The cocoa becomes a bit creamier and the coffee dies away. This is less punchy than a typical Esp 2 and woodier. There are some spices there - maybe cardamom - lilting in and out. As usual tea is making an excellent pairing.

Last Third: Very little change at this point. The burn continues to be excellent, and while there is a touch of mongrel coming in it isn’t intrusive or overwhelming. 

Overall, this was about an 89, which is a little under my estimated median for an Especial No. 2 (~91 points). Much of the reason for the score and the extra pronounced woodiness could be down to the prominent stem. It was only slightly apparent at the head and I didn’t bother with it since the draw was so good. But as you can see below, there is a huge protrusion that kept appearing in the ash. This was not from over-puffing, as this lasted me two full episodes of The Expanse - roughly 90 minutes smoked to around the band.

This brings me to a point I reflected on when reading some recently expressed disappointment with this cigar - they must be smoked exceptionally slowly and delicately. All those opinions came from experienced smokers so I do not mean to imply they smoked their examples “improperly.” But it bears noting for newcomers to this cigar; even by skinny standards, these must be gently and slowly “sipped.” My average length of puff, pulling gently, was probably just over a second. Sometimes it was even less, and at most it was probably 2 full seconds. Once the wrapper has started to ignite, you have to back off. Again, I stress this because the Especiales No. 2 is especially unforgiving of overheating. If you overheat this cigar even slightly, it will absolutely bury you in tannic harshness and those wonderful Monte flavors will rapidly go “up in smoke.”

I have increasingly come to the hypothesis that Montecristo, more than any other Marca, walks a razors edge when it comes to its essential character. I suspect that it’s the very same DNA that gives you Monte cocoa, coffee, etc. at its best that can also easily stumble into blandness on one side, or Monte-ashtray on the other. I often wonder whether there is something about the blend that lends itself to greater inconsistency, which is a hallmark of Montecristo unfortunately. Massive production is undoubtedly the #1 reason for this, but I do wonder. Its elusiveness may be part of the reason I smoke more Montecristo than any other marca  

I would love to hear thoughts on my idle conjecture. Separate thread-worthy?

 

[JohnS]

42 minutes ago, MrBirdman said:

I have increasingly come to the conclusion that Montecristo, more than any other Marca, walks a razors edge when it comes to its essential character. I suspect that it’s the very same DNA that gives you Monte cocoa, coffee, etc. at its best can easily stumble into blandness on one side, or Monte-ashtray on the other. I often wonder whether there is something about the blend that lends itself to greater inconsistency, which is a hallmark of Montecristo unfortunately. Massive production is undoubtedly the #1 reason for this, but I do wonder. It’s elusiveness may be part of the reason I smoke more Montecristo than any other marca  

 

I would love to hear thoughts on my idle conjecture. Separate thread-worthy?

I think you've summed things up really well. Honestly, I feel the same way too. As a marca, I would opine that yes, the Montecristo brand can potentially offer we enthusiasts the greatest range between complete satisfaction and complete disappointment, seemingly with no 'middle ground' in-between!

[Sir Diggamus]

Great review! I have a few cigars with the same code and it seems they could rest some more.


I find the same inconsistencies with the marca that you do. When a Monte is on it is outstanding, but those times are very hit or miss. I also find a lot of differences in flavors between the same cigar in different boxes. I have tried Monte 4s that have all the core Monte flavors and are uninteresting, and others that are amazing (blind tasting cigar), and some that I wouldn’t think was Monte without the band.


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[BlueRidgeFly]

I think your idle conjecture is spot on! Good summary, good review 👍

[99call]

55 minutes ago, JohnS said:

As a marca, I would opine that yes, the Montecristo brand can potentially offer we enthusiasts the greatest range between complete satisfaction and complete disappointment, seemingly with no 'middle ground' in-between!

Yep, As Rob often mentions, the uplift in buying PSP in the Monte line is more essential than any other marca....the payoff is dramatic

[MrBirdman]

1 hour ago, 99call said:

As Rob often mentions, the uplift in buying PSP in the Monte line is more essential than any other marca....the payoff is dramatic

Very true. I think this is big part of why the 19-21 period has been so beneficial to Montecristo. 

[karp]

Great review! Your point about taking it slow applies to other Montes too in my opinion. Can get harsh easily if smoked rapidly..

[Chucko8]

33 minutes ago, karp said:

Great review! Your point about taking it slow applies to other Montes too in my opinion. Can get harsh easily if smoked rapidly..

In total agreement, along with that which @JohnS highlighted of ‘no middle ground’

For me this was again bought to light on cigar 2 of the blind tasting. For myself this Monte 4 was a poor example in comparison to others I have had favoured.   

[MrBirdman]

On 1/10/2022 at 5:09 PM, Sir Diggamus said:

I have tried Monte 4s that have all the core Monte flavors and are uninteresting, and others that are amazing (blind tasting cigar), and some that I wouldn’t think was Monte without the band

Very good description of the “three Montecristos.” I would put this cigar in the first group, in that the flavors were there but just not in the right balance. Not bad, enjoyable even, but not truly Montecristo either. I also agree on the IBTC cigar - I lucked out and got one of those shining-star Monte 4’s. But at the same time I have zero surprise that some tasters got examples which tasted nothing like one. My BBF was that way too, but with Monte you can almost count on every box to contain at least one or two examples like that, if not more. 

[Sir Diggamus]

It was tough to see that Monte 4 from the blind tasting was a 2014. It was so special I was ready and willing to go box code hunting to find more of those if it were current production.

But that proves your initial point even more that Montes can be so inconsistent.


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