Montecristo No. 2 UTL MAY 19 (TPRW)

[saltbox]

This was the first box of Monte No. 2 I ever bought and after smoking a few ended up going 6 boxes deep. I haven't touched any of the others yet, but I hope they live up to this box because this one has been my most reliable go to for when I need something great. Almost 2 years of rest now, with 3 years of box age.

First third: opens with rich, decadent creamy shortbread biscuit with cocoa and coffee on the backburner. Over the course of the third, that mocha chocolate comes to the forefront of the palate.

Middle third: chocolate, coffee, cream, shortbread, and a touch of leather emerges to ground the dessert notes a bit. Growing up I loved those Starbucks Doubleshot drinks, and these Monte 2's really remind me of them. Who am I kidding, I still love those Doubleshots.

Last third: the chocolate fades a bit, allowing the creamy shortbread notes to come forward again. I've been noticing that the chocolate does seem to be less dominant in the flavor profile and have been wondering if it's just in my head or if it's an expected change that comes with age.

Rich and delightfully decadent chocolate, coffee, cream, shortbread. Such a great cigar. 92/100