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Astrologers have declared it "Cigar Week," and the number of reviews has increased.
Today, a true celebrity of the cigar world, the Montecristo No. 2, is the focus of our attention.
Format: Pirámide
Length: 156 mm × RG 52
Wrapper: colorado, even, beautiful, but not particularly remarkable. Simplicity and elegance – like a good business suit. It has almost no aroma of its own, nor does it have much flavor on the lips. The latter can be seen as a significant plus – it doesn't distract from the taste of the smoke.
In the cold draw, there are notes of licorice and nuts, but overall, it's quite bland, and you can start smoking without any unnecessary preliminaries.
The cigar burns evenly, and the draw is traditionally Cuban – tight, almost to the point of being restricted. I often took 2-3 puffs at a time in an attempt to extract more smoke and get the maximum flavor.
The cigar starts softly but confidently: light almond notes are mixed with biscuit notes, and sometimes there is a slight herbal freshness, a hint of cedar. Both the strength and the sweetness in the taste are noticeable, but moderate. The dense but not overly abundant sweet and spicy smoke pleasantly tickles the nostrils with aromas of baked goods, hazelnuts, and wood. The cigar definitely knows how to entice: the tight draw and very mild taste make you take puff after puff, and I reached the second third very quickly.
In the second third, the taste begins to lean more towards spicy and floral notes. Clove, tea rose, and a refreshing hint of peppermint. Also, there are notes of cookies and caramel. The second third is a harmonious development of the first: spicier, richer, and slightly stronger. Yes, this cigar can not only attract a man but also keep his interest!
In the last third, there are notes of black pepper, dark chocolate, heavy but not harsh oak tones, still caramel, and almost imperceptible fragrant orange zest. The cigar becomes noticeably stronger. The aroma of the smoke at this point becomes brighter and more mature: it contains nutmeg, baked goods, and fresh leather. Everything is wonderful, but over time, coffee and pepper begin to dominate. Remembering the advice of the cigar and pipe sensei of all Erehwon (he also takes these wonderful photos, by the way), I smoked it down to about the band level and let the cigar fade out.
Excellent balance throughout the smoking experience, wonderful smoothness with a rich bouquet, and normal (around 6/10) strength. It may seem that it doesn't have the most intense flavor, but all its components are so harmoniously combined that it becomes impossible to make any complaints. An extremely pleasant and cozy cigar, moderate sweetness, enveloping strength, and a classic flavor dynamic. In my opinion, this is a benchmark. It would be an excellent choice as a first cigar, but the flavor notes in it are quite subtle, and to appreciate them fully, you need to approach the cigar with at least some experience.
It can be paired with a low-acid white wine (Chablis, for example). But tea, coffee, or even a light whiskey will also work. You can even just have water. The cigar is quite versatile and will only not tolerate one thing – drinks with an overly strong flavor.
I will give the cigar 91/100 points. Ah, Dumas didn't live to see this...
Today, a true celebrity of the cigar world, the Montecristo No. 2, is the focus of our attention.
Format: Pirámide
Length: 156 mm × RG 52
Wrapper: colorado, even, beautiful, but not particularly remarkable. Simplicity and elegance – like a good business suit. It has almost no aroma of its own, nor does it have much flavor on the lips. The latter can be seen as a significant plus – it doesn't distract from the taste of the smoke.
In the cold draw, there are notes of licorice and nuts, but overall, it's quite bland, and you can start smoking without any unnecessary preliminaries.
The cigar burns evenly, and the draw is traditionally Cuban – tight, almost to the point of being restricted. I often took 2-3 puffs at a time in an attempt to extract more smoke and get the maximum flavor.
The cigar starts softly but confidently: light almond notes are mixed with biscuit notes, and sometimes there is a slight herbal freshness, a hint of cedar. Both the strength and the sweetness in the taste are noticeable, but moderate. The dense but not overly abundant sweet and spicy smoke pleasantly tickles the nostrils with aromas of baked goods, hazelnuts, and wood. The cigar definitely knows how to entice: the tight draw and very mild taste make you take puff after puff, and I reached the second third very quickly.
In the second third, the taste begins to lean more towards spicy and floral notes. Clove, tea rose, and a refreshing hint of peppermint. Also, there are notes of cookies and caramel. The second third is a harmonious development of the first: spicier, richer, and slightly stronger. Yes, this cigar can not only attract a man but also keep his interest!
In the last third, there are notes of black pepper, dark chocolate, heavy but not harsh oak tones, still caramel, and almost imperceptible fragrant orange zest. The cigar becomes noticeably stronger. The aroma of the smoke at this point becomes brighter and more mature: it contains nutmeg, baked goods, and fresh leather. Everything is wonderful, but over time, coffee and pepper begin to dominate. Remembering the advice of the cigar and pipe sensei of all Erehwon (he also takes these wonderful photos, by the way), I smoked it down to about the band level and let the cigar fade out.
Excellent balance throughout the smoking experience, wonderful smoothness with a rich bouquet, and normal (around 6/10) strength. It may seem that it doesn't have the most intense flavor, but all its components are so harmoniously combined that it becomes impossible to make any complaints. An extremely pleasant and cozy cigar, moderate sweetness, enveloping strength, and a classic flavor dynamic. In my opinion, this is a benchmark. It would be an excellent choice as a first cigar, but the flavor notes in it are quite subtle, and to appreciate them fully, you need to approach the cigar with at least some experience.
It can be paired with a low-acid white wine (Chablis, for example). But tea, coffee, or even a light whiskey will also work. You can even just have water. The cigar is quite versatile and will only not tolerate one thing – drinks with an overly strong flavor.
I will give the cigar 91/100 points. Ah, Dumas didn't live to see this...
E si sui vius, er mi grans benananza,
e si ieu muoir, er mi grans deliuriers
e si ieu muoir, er mi grans deliuriers