Review: Montecristo No. 2 (Cuba)
Montecristo No. 2 (Cuban) Pyramide
Size – 6 1/8 x 52
Age – 18 months
Cost – 13 €
Wrapper – Cuba
Construction – A well constructed cigar with a bit of wear on the foot from storage. Evenly firm with no soft spots. The wrapper had some small veins protruding and one tiny blemish near the band.
Burn – Very slow and dead even.
Ash – Medium to dark grey with a slight bit of flowering but a nice 1″ of grab.
Draw & Smoke – Prelight draw felt firm but once lit it was exactly right for the copious amount of smoke coming off each draw.
Flavor – Prelight aroma was excellent, light floral and smooth tobacco with cedar. After lighting, sweet and clean flavors of fine tobacco emerged, along with a woody and peppery finish. As the cigar progressed, more earthy flavors emerged, along with a very slight bit of the “Cuban twang” and some additional wood and paper notes. The final third produced a nearly perfect bouquet, with added mocha and coffee flavors, and more body. An incredible room aroma acompanied the cigar throughout, particularly in the last third.
Strength – Medium
Rating – 10/10
Value – NA
Drink – Iced tea. A very good pairing for a warm summer night, although as with most cigars, I think the Montecristo #2 would be great with some freshly brewed coffee.
Notes – This was a gift from a friend and I’m not sure whether to thank him or not; he’s now teased me with one of the best cigars I’ve ever had and I have no way to get any more. This is a fabulous smoke and a good example of why the storied brands of Cuba still hold the title of the best cigars in the world.