Montecristo Especial (2003) Review

[JohnS]

Montecristo Especial (2003) Review

Vitola: Laguito No.1 38 ring gauge x 192 mm or 7.6 inches

It's not often that one gets the chance to enjoy these 'long and skinnies'. Furthermore, it's regrettable to mention that there are less of these around nowadays. Then again, do you reach for them, or are they a special occasion smoke due to their length? I recently caught up some dear friends for an 'end-of-week de-stress' cigar get together when @jay8354 offered myself and @Fuzz these Laguito No.1s from 2003 to smoke. Like the similar Cohiba vitola, the Lanceros, these are truly a special cigar (as the name suggests), and more so when aged!

Just as the Cohiba Lanceros tends to be smoother than the Cohiba Coronas Especiales (38 ring gauge x 152 mm), likewise the Montecristo Especial is a little under medium, more refined than a Montecristo Especial No.2 (which is the same vitola as the Cohiba Coronas Especiales). These are best smoked very slowly, but knowing my tendency to smoke through a fine cigar such as this one, I finished it before Jase and Fuzz. I think too that, in my defense, I simply was drawing too much per puff to get maximum flavour, it was that enjoyable.

What flavours can you expect from a Montecristo Especial? They are known for their creaminess, which this one definitely was. Coffee, milk chocolate, tea, spice, nut, leather and bean flavours are also consistent with this cigar. What flavours were evident in this cigar tonight? I think Fuzz mentioned bean flavours and a sweet baking spice, which I would concur as the main flavours, along with a cocoa 'nuttiness'. The sweet baking spice flavour is mentioned in @polarbear's review of this cigar below...

I must thank @jay8354 for the sublime opportunity to enjoy this cigar. I consider this cigar the 'king of Montecristo' and I lament that I don't smoke it more often. But don't just take my word for it. Understand that 24:24 sales that have this cigar listed tend to be high demand, and the references below attest to the fine quality that is evident in the regular production Montecristo Especial cigar.

 

[Fuzz]

Great review! And it was vanilla bean that I picked up.

[JohnS]

6 hours ago, Fuzz said:

Great review! And it was vanilla bean that I picked up.

Cheers mate. Yes it was vanilla bean! What a great cigar!  

[fabes]

Great review of a great cigar!

Thanks John

[jay8354]

John - Excellent review and I am glad to share this with you.

For a great smoke, you also need the equivalent in drink and company.

[JohnS]

2 hours ago, jay8354 said:

John - Excellent review and I am glad to share this with you.

For a great smoke, you also need the equivalent in drink and company.

So true!

[Fuzz]

2 hours ago, jay8354 said:

John - Excellent review and I am glad to share this with you.

For a great smoke, you also need the equivalent in drink and company.

 

48 minutes ago, JohnS said:

So true!

Then why the hell was I there?!

[jay8354]

Just now, Fuzz said:

 

Then why the hell was I there?!

For the comedic effect, though John took over that role after drinking half of the Hollick in less than 30mins

[ha_banos]

2003 was a great year for Monte's!

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