5 Up Deep Dive : The Evolution of a Cigar: Montecristo Number 2

[El Presidente]

 

5 Up Deep Dive 

The Evolution of a Cigar: 

Let’s start with one of the great benchmarks:

Montecristo No. 2

Few cigars have the global reputation, consistency of production volume, and ageing history of the Monte 2. It should prove to be an excellent case study

 

The questions: 

 

• How do the characteristics of the Montecristo Number 2  change from: 

           5   months - 5   years - 10  years - 15 years+

 

• If you could define the greatest flavour change in a Montecristo Number 2 as it ages, what would it be and perhaps, what period is that change most discernible? 
• Where is your personal ageing sweet spot for a Montecristo Number 2?
• For those that have experienced 15+ years Montecristo 2: are they generally "Tremendous" or "Tired"

 

 

[Tunkat92]

I find Monte 2s lose their chocolatey edge that I love around 5 years and start to develop woody and leather notes. I try to smoke my Monte 2s around 2-3 year mark as most seem to need 12-18 months to loosen up the draw. 

I cannot remember smoking a 15+ year Monte 2.

[loose_axle]

Only ever had Monte 2s in the 2-6 range. I like the 3-5 year mark and beyond that I have no experience. 

[JohnS]

• How do the characteristics of the Montecristo Number 2  change from: 5 months - 5 years - 10 years - 15 years+

- At 5 months I find an average Montecristo No.2 is not delineated enough to appreciate the complexities it has the opportunity to offer. By that I mean that, in general, that quintessential cocoa/coffee flavour is too dominant and the other flavours, by contrast, too recessive.

- At 5 years, an average Montecristo No.2 will be much more balanced in its flavours. You should be able to discern some cocoa (or chocolate), coffee, nut, even some leather.

- At 10 years, The Montecristo No.2 here will now see its nuttiness and leather become more dominant and those cocoa/coffee flavours recede. Still, at this point, the cigar should have plenty of life in it and be quite enjoyable to smoke if it has come from a reputable box already.

- At 15+ years, the cocoa/chocolate/coffee may still be evident, but now that leather note will dominate. I would opine that even at this stage a solid Montecristo No.2 will still be good to smoke as Habanos cigars have more life to them, in my opinion, than the average cigar enthusiast gives them credit for.

If you could define the greatest flavour change in a Montecristo Number 2 as it ages, what would it be and perhaps, what period is that change most discernible? 

- The greatest flavour change lies at that point when your well-known cocoa/coffee flavours are no longer as dominant as any nutty/leather flavours that start to come more to the fore. If you have a strong creamy texture in your Montecristo No.2 at this stage, then you are truly laughing, as they say colloquially.

Where is your personal ageing sweet spot for a Montecristo Number 2?

- Personally, I like them well-balanced in their flavours, so anywhere between 5 to 8 years of age is ideal for me. Having said that, if I have a young box smoking well, I wouldn't hesitate to some them along the way.

For those that have experienced 15+ years Montecristo 2: are they generally "Tremendous" or "Tired"

- I must admit that I've not had too many at this age; however, I would state "neither' in answer to this question. I think it would be somewhere in between these two extremities.