Montecristo Especial Nr. 2 NRG JUL 06

[Hohenthal]

Tonight I smoked the last Especial Nr. 2 from a July 06 box - in the main, these have been excellent, so I was really looking foreward to this.

This example was so firm that it felt like solid wood, many of you might have tossed it away, but as the rest of these have been quite special, I just massaged it a bit, twisted off the pigtail - no draw at all.

Cut it with the double blade cutter - still impossible.

Cut off another few millimeters and - found a workable draw at last!

Still, every draw was an effort, but I am a believer in a slow burn on small ring gage cigars,

and I was rewarded:

Smell at cold was clean top quality tobacco and a pronounced cedar note, which continued in the opening.

First third:

a juicy fruity (yet not at all acidc) character like ripe pears, nougat, cream and a wafer-biscuit like toastiness - poire helene in a cigar!

Middle third:

the toastiness deepened into fresh baked bread, cedary again and a rich coffee note like great quality arabica espresso, still with a cocoa touch.

Occasionally, due to the very slow burn, a touch of mustiness (which is not typical for this cigar).

Savoury and sweet exotic spices make the transition into the

last third:

Heaven on earth - the beautiful toasted tobacco gets sweeter, the cedar turns into sandalwood and that alongside with the dried rosehip, lavander and patchouli resembles a strong yet beautifully balanced ladys perfume - simply divine!

For me, only one other cigar occasionally has a similar finale: the Partagas Connaisseur Nr. 2.

How does one rate a plugged cigar?

Some would give it a mid 80's number at best, some would not even bother to smoke it...

I'm a sentimental guy, it was the last one of a great box, and I go by quality in flavour - for me: 94!

Cheers, Alex

[CaptainQuintero]

I love these I prefer them to the regular espeical even. Great review!

[Michel1968]

Great review. Good to Read your opinion on draw of smaller ring gauges, we're on the same page...

[Colt45]

This is one of those cigars I've had on my to try list, but haven't gotten around to yet.

Thanks for the review.

[Rushman]

Thanks for the review.

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[bobmirko]

THanks for the review, I can't wait to try one!

[maverickdrinker]

I am going to hunt for a few boxes of these when I am in Cuba. I had a 94 monte especial no 2 on Thursday and it was mind BLASTING!!!!!

[Lotusguy]

Sorry - no plugged cigar would ever even deserve a rating for me - it will be ditched without a second thought. Life's too short.

Just my 2 cents.

[Hohenthal]

Sorry - no plugged cigar would ever even deserve a rating for me - it will be ditched without a second thought. Life's too short.

Just my 2 cents.

I know, and I respect each one's choice, not trying to convert anyone,

just sometimes it works for me

[dicko]

great review, cheers!