PL Montecarlo -- HQ EML ABR14 -- PL+SC Review Comp 2016

[skalls]

I had this cigar on Friday almost immediately after I got home and could get my hands on a beer and a cigar.  This is definitely a cheap and cheerful cigar.  But if you don't like long skinnies this isn't a cigar for you.  That reminds me, these are cheap enough where I can probably justify a box despite me being in a "stop spending money mode."

Pre Light:

I left my cutter in the basement of my house, so I tried a punch cut on this guy.  And then made a mess out of the cap.  I actually said "Well, that's going to bite me in the ass later" outloud and to myself.  Draw is a bit on the light side but there's some resistance there.  Flavors I'm getting are honey and lemon grass.

First Third:

Smoke output is fantastic.  It's a very mild cigar with a light and oily smoke.  The finish is very long lasting.  I'm getting toasted tobacco, honey and lemon grass as the main flavors.  I can't call this a complaint, but the ash doesn't hold on for long on these, especially with a bit of wind.  I don't recall the last time I had one of these and I didn't ash myself.  And sure enough the first ash lands on me.

Second third:

The body has increased a bit but it's still way closer to mild than medium.  The toasted tobacco has been relegated to the back of the boss while the honey and lemon grass are fighting for recognition.  There's a tiny bit of caramel in here trying to be found but unfortunately it doesn't stick around for long.  And I ashed myself again.

Final Third:

The start of the final third there's definitely caramel sticking around but it's very faint.  Body hasn't changed and remains a bit above mild.  Smoke output has remained fantastic throughout the cigar and the flavors are quite enjoyable.

But, remember when I said I'm going to regret butchering the cut.

I got a tarball infestation.  I expect that on Cuaba's because of the shapes.  And the tar on those is actually somewhat pleasant, in fact the only cigar that I've had tar that isn't a disgusting or vile.  The tar here was very disgusting and ruined the flavors.  I had a bit of an 1" left with this cigar and just pitched it.  I wasn't going to deal with tar any longer.

Final Thoughts:

This was a 89-91 cigar until the tar happened.  And man did that ruin this cigar for me.  This is a bit interesting because this is the first time I've had tar in a PLMC.  Mental note, don't halfass the cut in the future.  I think with some age the caramel will really grow in this cigar.  I think the only way I'm going to come across that though is to buy 2 boxes and have one buried in the OLH.  And then develop patience somehow.

85/100

But damn, that tar was both hideous and very surprising.

[TheMonk]

Another nice review!