Edmundo Dantes Conde 109, 2nd release

[Ginseng]

Inspired by Rob's excellent review of this vitola, I recently had the pleasure of sampling this extremely limited Mexican Regional Edition. This Regional Edition was released twice and the quantities were relatively miniscule in both their first and second releases. As such, I'd consider it a bona fide "hard to find." Although on the market for only a short time, this cigar has already attained a near legendary status due to its rarity, its revival of the rare "109" vitola, and the extremely positive initial reviews. My mission in this smoking was to fully experience this star and to see if it lived up to the hype.

Prelight Impressions

This is a beautiful cigar. The supple, oily colorado maduro wrapper was expertly applied and the signature tapered cone "109" head was elegant to behold. The roll and fill were absolutely perfect with the barrel of the cigar feeling firm yet appropriately compliant when gently squeezed. Slitting and lifting off the cap reveals a bunch that is uniform and well collected at the head. I expect no draw problems. From an aesthetic standpoint, this cigar is in the top 5% of anything I've ever seen come out of Habanos S.A.

The prelight draw reveals pure clean tobacco with absolutely no greeness, ammonia, or other distracting notes. The aroma was tangy and rich. Lightup and initial burn was flawless.

The Smoking

The first 3/4" delivered intensely aromatic drawn smoke that was matched by the very heavy, dense, and penetrating trailing smoke. The initial impression was chock full of cocoa and leather notes overlaying a deep tobacco base. The body was medium-full to full and rolled off the tongue. Obviously this cigar was rolled with top, top notch tobacco that was fully fermented and suitably pampered.

Ay 1.5", the smoke has settled in to smooth, heavy, old school tobacco that is pure, concentrated, chewy and very satisfying. Break out your best grass-fed, dry-aged porterhouse for this star. At the first ashing, I see a well-formed coal with a nice mix of dark and light ash suggesting the cigar is already acclimated and bunched and rolled with artful precision. At 2.5", big beefy flavors started to emerge imparting an immense savoryness. Better pour that Opus One or Barolo you've been saving. At this point, I also started to notice aged wood and fresh grass notes that imparted a touch of sweetness that lightened and brightened the presentation just enough to keep one from getting too loggy.

Although I did not not experience constant transitions and changes, the cigar performed in a way that worked for me. It was a gentle progression that revealed layers of nuance and superb balance. Really a star. After the halfway point and throughout the final third, the massive 109 got ever more full without becoming harsh. The smoke became tingly and more potent unfolding with nutty flavors and a very interesting touch of cloves for yet some more sweetness and aromaticity. I've also just started to notice that the nic kick is truly ferocious. This cigar hits hard but not harsh like a NC La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero. Rather, it just exudes class and control all the way to the nub.

The Finish

The finish on the palate was long, intense, and clean. I took this to the very end without the wrapper bursting or having to purge even a single time. In summation, the Edmundo Dantes is a prodigious cigar that is perfectly made and with first class tobacco. It is ready to be enjoyed right now, but is likely to develop into something quite special over the years. It was perhaps the most impressive special release cigar that I've smoked. To my palate, it is right up there with the Ramon Allones Estupendos and Cohiba Piramides. That said, at around $30 per stick, these are not cheap. However, if one's budget allows, these would be a worthy addition to the humidor.

Wilkey

[kjellfrick]

Thank you for a very inspired review and welcome to the "We who love Edmundo Dantes Conde 109 Club" (membership restricted)! :-D

[android]

Wilkey, thanks for the review & amazing pic's....made me start to want one bad but instead I pushed the boxes to the back of the humi.

Andy

[Guest rob]

An excellent review structure and pictures, mate. Well thought and and superbly written.

And yes, I concur - an amazingly challenging cigar for Habanos to live up to. Impeccable.

[El Presidente]

:clap: :clap:

Great review. There is no coincidence that limited production has resulted in higher quality. Love the photo's

[brentp]

» :clap: :clap:

»

» Great review. There is no coincidence that limited production has resulted

» in higher quality. Love the photo's

Absolutely agree with you! This is the best regional, by far, that I have had. Very rich, creamy smoke - perfect breakfast cigar with some dark coffee. Your review is tempting me to smoke another tomorrow, but I must...MUST RESIST!

[greenpimp]

Very nice review. I absolutely love mine.

[sje]

one of the best reviews i have read, well done i have a full box and 3 singles of the first release.

i suggest we do a a Dante register

someone start a seperate thread (Edmundo Dante Registry)

spiro

[tigger]

Terrific review m'friend!

I'm fortunate to have smoked a couple from the first run, and they were most pleasing.

[FireDigger]

Nice review, especially those pictures! I've had one from the first release that had burn issues. Still have one more in the humidor.

[KWG116]

Fantastic review. I have two of these in my humidor. I look forward to trying one. This review makes me want to smoke one this weekend.

I love the pictures and always enjoy your reviews.

Thank you