Montecristo No. 2 PAL FEB 08: Throwback Weekend Review

Corylax18 · February 26, 2018

I remember my first Cuban Vividly. Sitting on the smoking deck at the Tradewinds Motor Lodge in Lavallette, NJ. (google maps link shows the coordinates of the exact table) I had been smoking NCs for about 4 years at that point. Mostly Padron and other Nic puros, but plenty of variety. I heard about a website that shipped cubans to the states from Majorca. A couple of the guys at the local lounge had success ordering from them, so I asked my dad if he wanted to split the risk with me and he was in. We decided a cardboard 3x5 of Monte 2s was the right amount of risk, ordered, then waited. About 6 weeks a package came that looked like it contained a kilo of something illicit. Layer after layer of packaging. Newspaper, black plastic, packing tape. Finally, inside were 15 beautiful CCs, the first I had ever laid hands on. A few months later, we were at the beach for a family trip and decided to bring a couple with us. Ill never forget that first one, I had never before tasted flavors so clearly in a cigar. The chocolate flavor overwhelmed both of us, I was hooked and almost completly stopped smoking NCs after that cigar.

The cigar I sampled for this review was not from that original 3x5, but it is from the same vintage. I've been purchasing boxes of these regularly since then, always trying to get that same taste as the first time. I have far more of this cigar than any other. The band was nice and loose, which is often a good indicator to me that the cigar has tightened up a bit during the aging process.

Pre Light -

The cigar has a very floral aroma coming from it and the colorado wrapper is far from perfect, with a bit of sheen left in it and some visible veins and seams. The Predraw is a bit open, and full of flavors. Molasses, Cinnamon and dates in the main.

1st Third -

The Cigar opens with dry whispy smoke. Vegetal and bitter. Not pleasent at all. Fortunately, this only lasts for the dirst 1/2" or so. As we work past that very disappointing opening some creamy and toast flavors arrive. The finish is long and tastes of strong bitter coffee. Smoke is still thin. A bit of Milk Chocolate starts to come and go along with some white pepper. Shiny burn line, burn/construction are good.

2nd Third -

Huge improvement. Still a bit "dusty" though. The burn line looks like onyx, just glistening. Plenty of smoke production now, the bitter coffee has taken over along with some cocoa now. Still a bit of tannic flavor. The toast/biscuit flavors shows again.

I had to put the cigar down for about 45 minutes at this point to get some unexpected work done.

Final 3rd -

Some Graham Cracker flavor arrives for a few puffs, black bitter coffee still at the front. Still some white pepper here and there. The Nicotine really caught up to me towards the end.

Final Thoughts -

Not the best from this box so far, actually maybe the worst. The first 1/2" was absolutely terrible, but it steadily improved through to the end of the cigar. I haven't smoked from this box in almost 6 months, I know this example wast the best, but its making me think this box could be as "ready" as it will ever be.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lavallette,+NJ+08735/@39.9631104,-74.0705764,73m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c175e580c5fefb:0x9533d4ff4ad77237!8m2!3d39.9703958!4d-74.0687475