Montecristo Petit Edmundo BUP ENE 18 (McRW)

[rcarlson]

This is the last of my first box of the PE.  Don't know how I avoided them all these years. As a Monte fan, I find most all of them to be right in my wheelhouse. 

The PE is not my preferred size.  The length signals a smoking time that might be too long a for a weekend breakfast smoke and not long enough to keep me occupied for an evening respite.  However, I easily got a slow-smoking 1 1/2 hours on these densely packed, well-constructed, flavorful little gems.  

To state the obvious, Montes are Montes.  Inconsistent from box to box, but generally within an acceptable range.  As someone noted in another weekend review, Montes seem to have good years and mediocre years.  '18 and '19 have been pretty good to me.   

As to the specifics, I really have little to report beyond the near universal descriptions of the various Monte formats outside of the special releases (like the incredible GE and 520s/kinda disappointing Dantes).  Firm, nice heft, well rolled.  Not terribly oily, but big whoop.  Enough oil on the wrapper to keep it in the zone.  Had a nice milk chocolate shade that I think is the hallmark of good Montes.  

Little aroma at cold.  Cool rich smoke, no doubt one of the advantages of a 52 ring gauge. 

Condensed milk, cocoa, light espresso creaminess out of the gate.  Classic Monte flavors well-delivered by the format.  

The cocoa and espresso intensified through the middle while the sweet milkiness faded.  Smoke remained cool and fulsome.  A pleasant fudge/caramel in the background came by to "hi," but ended up sleeping on the couch with no intention of leaving -- like that no-account friend you've known since childhood with nowhere else to be.     

The final stretch turned to a stronger espresso and cocoa.  Less sweet and more full-bodied.  The uptick in nicotine ushered the creaminess and fudge/caramel out the door like that no-account friend close to overstaying his welcome.  

Delicious; nubbed it.  I give it an "A." 

A fine ending to a good box.