Montecristo No. 2 TUE JUL 20 (RMRRW-M)

[saltbox]

I realized it had been a long time since I had revisited one of my favorite cigars of all time, the No. 2. The best examples I've ever had have come out of one of the very first boxes I ever purchased, a UTL MAY 19 box, that got me hooked. I decided to smoke one of the singles I've had lying from a trade at some point instead of digging up that box again, mostly out of laziness because the singles are easier to grab.

First third: opens with cream and cedar, but my oh so favorite chocolate and mocha quickly come forward and join the profile. Touch of baking spices, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg.

Middle third: more of the same. The burn line has been a bit uneven throughout, even with some small touchups, but not a huge deal. Around the halfway mark I realize why this particular cigar isn't amazing me as the other No. 2's I've had: it's missing the creamy shortbread. To me it's the primary flavor of H. Upmann, but it also hangs out in the background of the best Monte 2's I've had and helps round out the flavor and it seems to be missing from this cigar.

Last third: still no appearance of the creamy shortbread notes. The last third really brings home the earthy and leathery flavors, which are still good but not was I was looking forward to when I picked up this cigar. Kind of like when you grab a cup and take a gulp, expecting orange juice but getting milk. Nothing wrong with it, but not what you were expecting.

Overall: I've had Montes vary on the scale of earthy cocoa to creamy milk chocolate, and this one definitely set a new record on the earthy side of the spectrum for me. Not bad, but I would reach for my trusty milk chocolate box any day of the week over this. 87/100