Montecristo Double Edmundo EAG JUL 14 (RMRRW-M)

[saltbox]

Received this in a trade from a fellow FOH member generous enough to share some aged samples in my quest to try a little bit of everything. Almost 9 years of age, several years older than the oldest Monte I've had to this point, so I'm eager to see how age will have changed the Monte profile, if at all.

First third: opens right off the bat with smooth creamy milk chocolate. Underneath the chocolate is almond, malted sweetness, and the black tea note I find often in Cubans with more age. The chocolate seems a bit more subdued than fresher Montes, allowing for the floral 𝒸𝑜𝓂𝓅𝓁𝑒𝓍𝒾𝓉𝓎 of the black tea to really come through on the finish.

Middle third: it's settled at a light-mid body, lighter than most of the Montecristo I've had, but it comes across as smooth and refined. A nice bit of digestif biscuit comes through at the halfway point.

Last third: the chocolate starts to fade out and the biscuit becomes the predominant note of the flavor profile.

Overall: a very good smoke. Old enough to have developed the complexity of age but still retained enough of the Monte DNA. To my taste, I'm guessing this is about as old as I'd like a Monte to get, as I'd had to lose more of the chocolate. 90/100

[NSXCIGAR]

I never had any luck with the early DEs. Stayed away until 2018 and was surprised how different they seemed. Got into my rotation but have been supplanted by the WE. 

[saltbox]

Interesting, I don't think I've smoked any recent DEs yet but have a box I'll check out soon for comparison. Still anxiously awaiting an appearance of the WE on 24:24. Can't get enough of Monte and the WE sounds like a great new addition.

[KCCubano]

4 hours ago, saltbox said:

Interesting, I don't think I've smoked any recent DEs yet but have a box I'll check out soon for comparison. Still anxiously awaiting an appearance of the WE on 24:24. Can't get enough of Monte and the WE sounds like a great new addition.

The Wide Edmundo blend is fantastic...just hate the size. 52 is generally my cutoff.