Montecristo No. 5 OPE FEB 13 review

[rmill3r]

Cigar: Montecristo No. 5 (40 x 4", perla, OPE FEB 13)

Review date: 11/11/2014 (1 year, 9 months)

Grabbed a full box of these along with some Bolivar Coronas Junior in a past 12:12 and almost regretted the decision as my luck with Montecristo has been pretty nonexistent. Most Montes I've had--excluding one immaculate No. 3--have been plugged, dirty, and entirely underwhelming experiences. I remember lighting one of the ugliest sticks in the box when I received this and being astounded by the amount and complexity of flavors in the little thing.

I'm quickly realizing that smaller format cigars are really underrated, and I'm almost ashamed to admit that I'm going through this OPE FEB 13 box quicker than your average chain smoker flies through a pack of cigarettes. I just can't get enough of them, though, so let's see how this particular stick fares . . . .

First third

The pre-light aroma is sweet and vanilla. There is a bit of nuttiness but I would chalk the sweetness up to the more "candied" realm of vanilla and chocolate. The pre-draw has the perfect amount of resistance and looseness. This one is shaping up to be a good pick.

The stick opens up with exactly what I expected--buttered popcorn, a little fresh wood and sweet cream. This is one of the sweetest, creamiest cigars I've had in a while and so far the whole box has been this way. Being such a small stick, the burn line remains nice and even and the ash holds on for a pretty surprising amount of time.

Usually my experience is that these half coronas, perlas, etc. tend to be a bit intense, and while this Monte 5 does feel pronounced, the flavors are perfectly balanced and I don't get any harsh, bitter or hot spots and no one flavor overshadows the other.

Second third

Construction-wise, nothing changes. This cigar performs flawlessly from beginning to end. In the flavor department, the buttery popcorn remains rather constant but the vanilla and chocolate from the pre-draw starts to show up, it almost seems like an Oreo. This cigar is still creamy and dripping with sweet flavors.

Final third

I almost didn't realize this thing was ending--it's such a small cigar! In the last third, the sweetness certainly remains but there is a somewhat dry cedar note that comes in stronger than before. Definitely took a turn at this point, but I wouldn't call it a bad change at all--just a unique one.

Conclusion

This is your everyday cigar. This is the one you can pull out at any point in time for some sweet and creamy flavors and not worry about running through them all too fast. Like with the H. Upmann Half Corona, my biggest complaint is that there just isn't enough of it. It's always sad to look down and suddenly see the experience is already over before you thought it would; it sneaks up on you. I know some of you live in much colder environments than me and probably look for "winter" cigars around this time. Look no further. I almost wrote Montecristo off after a plethora of No. 2 and 4s . . . and then I had this box of No. 5s.

Score: 93

[Optic101]

Nice review, have yet to try one. Very curious.

[...]

Nice review! Never had one but now I might have to look it up

[Geo17pip]

Nice review. Great little cigars!

[Rye]

Nice pics & great review!

[Sophistic]

first cigar i liked and still my fav, had one a week ago and it was super delicious as always, cappuccino-chocolate mix all the way.

[soutso]

Very similar observations to my review of these sticks. They are a favourite of mine and yes, they leave you wanting more. If only they were an inch longer...... hmm now I know how the Mrs feels..

[ogus]

These are my go to's recently

[Nedule]

I bought my first box at the 12:12 also. I've only had one out of the box so far & other than butter popcorn I'd say mine was fairly similar, great construction & flavour on the little guys

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[airtrade]

I had assumed these would be a shorter version of a no.4. Recently a fellow Member gifted me one in a bomb and I let it sit not thinking much until I smoked it! This review is spot on to what I have tasted. Just got a box from Abr 14 same flavors. These are a great change up smoke! I know they're short but just grab a second one!

Great review rmill3r! And congratulations on the win!