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I've had a couple of very busy weeks, with little leisure time lately, so I was due for a nice relaxing smoke. I reached into the humi for one of my favorites, a 2007 Monte No. 1 I acquired in a trade. Well, it turned out to be hard as a tent peg the entire length, and it was very, very tight. I struggled through it, but couldn't make much of it. That really bummed me out. Well, today I had to atone for yesterday's disappointment, so I went to a sure and reliable Montecristo No. 1 with code BUM JUL 15, sourced from our host. This code has been remarkably consistent, not a bad one yet. It felt firm, but not rock solid, and the reddish Colorado wrapper looks incredibly promising. I took the cigar out, a bottle of Hoegaarden, and grabbed my new camera to take some practice shots. Draw was perfect, just a tad of resistance. Cold aroma had hints of wood and barnyard, terrific. The magic started as soon as the torch heated the foot and I was off on my journey, this is exactly what I was craving. It started light and aromatic, with a woody, earthy aroma that is so characteristic of this vitola. First Third Deliciously balanced mix of mild coffee, a tinge of coca, nuts roasting on a fire, and a faint hint of citrus. The burn was flawless, the ash was white and solid. Bliss was settling on my patio. I read a few hints and tips about my new Canon G7X II camera and setup the WiFi bridge so I could transfer photos to my Google Drive and my phone. That is handy. As the first third evolved, refined quality and balance just stood out. I could taste some hints of vanilla in the intake, and I found myself titling my head forward to catch the smoke trail rising from the coal and inhaling it. There is a sweet and delightful aroma from this Monte, it reminds me off rich oak timber burning in a fireplace after a fresh snowfall. Intoxicating. Second Third Body evolved to a mild/medium and the flavor intensified. There is a lovely blend of coffee and cocoa present, vanilla too, but another refined earthy element seems to be wafting in, perhaps a touch of mild spice; paprika? Refined, balanced, smooth, creamy... a perfect melange of flavors, yet never overpowering, no acidic reactions or hot spots on the tongue, just incredible smoothness. The ash just hung on forever. Last Third Surprising how quickly I got to this stage. I wasn't smoking fast, but I was enjoying the taste and the moment so much my mind must have escaped reality for a time. Shifting focus back to the review I noted that the last third was much like the second, as near perfect as I could hope for. Coffee slightly amped up, with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa. What I sensed earlier as paprika has now turned to nutmeg. What a wonderful experience. I am savoring every moment of this near perfect cigar. Final Thoughts We all have our favorite flavor profiles, the certain blend that seems to have been made just for you, and when you find it you better stock up, and even though I bought a couple of boxes I regret not having more of these beauties. There is not a single fault I could find with this cigar, it was delightful from start to finish, pure cream and bliss. I rate this a 9.8 on my personal scale, a truly memorable cigar you want to smoke over and over again.

This is my first experience with a #1, and it’s a cigar I’ve admired from afar for awhile now. I purchased it as a single in August, 2016, so I don’t know the box code. Initial thoughts/pre-light: The cigar has a very smooth, wrapper with a slight box press. It has a light sheen. I’m not sure of it’s age, but it doesn’t “seem” like it’s particularly old to me.. I love Lonsdales, because they feel elegant feel in the hand, and they’re easy to hold in the mouth as well if you’re doing something where you occasionally need both hands. Good construction on this cigar, no visible veins/seams to speak of. Perfect draw. 1st Third: Starts off a hair under medium to me, but solidly medium-bodied. Good smoke production. I’m getting cafe au lait, with beignets and powdered sugar. Very pleasant. Ash stays firm for a good 1.5” before falling off. 2nd Third: No evolution to speak of, but flavor strength picks up a tick. I’ve noticed a little brown sugar, and maybe a bit of fig as well. Bit players at most. This is a cafe, cream, and a little chocolate cigar for the most part. Final Third: Flavor and body becoming full. I’m losing some of the sweetness, but the coffee still remains. Starts to pick up some savory nuttiness. Final Smoking Time: 85 minutes. Verdict: I liked it a lot. Not particularly complex, but it was very flavorful, and didn’t require much attention in terms of the burn or construction. It just comes across as a great, well-made cigar to me. Can’t ask for much else on a warm, fall night. I’d definitely like to have a box around. Let’s call it a 90.