Montecristo No.2 2015 (FSC2J25)

[david9985]

Monte #2 is one of my all-time favourites but is the major victim in my regular rotation following the price hikes. It has gone from regular to occasional only. In some capacity, however, it remains… unlike its cousin, CORO, which has gone from semi-regular to never, due to the extreme price hikes.

A gift from @Meklown at a recent get-together in London, this was a 2015 stick and bore the loose band that confirmed its aged and ready-to-smoke status.

It was relatively light in the hand and had an appealing wrapper. I easily slipped the band off and the clip unsurprisingly revealed an open draw.

The flame leapt to the foot readily and immediately the aroma from both head and foot was sublime. This was a complete smoking experience: An assault on the senses in the best possible way.

Initial notes were of chocolate. Little wisps of caramel or sweet spice every now and then. The burn was immaculate, rarely moving off-straight and self-correcting in that most pleasing of ways.

I ashed this in 1” chunks before giving them any chance to drop in my lap. I must have timed this almost to perfection because they needed only the slightest pressure on the ash tray base to detach and come to rest.

There was an occasional hazelnut or coffee bean hint at times. The chocolate core remained with a sweet and citrussy background funk. I was enjoying myself.

It isn’t often I smoke much further than to around the start of the band. The band was long since off this one, but there was no doubt that this was heading for a nubbing.

This was the best stick I’ve had for a few years. It didn’t transition in a big way but deftly deviated from its core flavour (does that keep both the linear and the evolution camps happy @LordAnubis ??) with some delightful nuances lilting in and out along the way. Construction and burn were nearly flawless, and the stick was rarely away from its position directly under my nose for the 1h40 smoking time.

It was a different Monte #2 smoked around 15 years ago that showed me what an outrageously good cigar this can be. This one was just as good as that. A magical couple of hours. 

[Ford2112]

I too love them but they are a rare occasion anymore if at all. Good review.

[david9985]

Yep, unfortunately...Though when they are this good, it will have to be slightly less rare!

[joeypots]

I do love me a good MC#2. they can be outstanding. Great review.

[David8406]

Great review from my favorite reviewer!  Monte #2 is not in my humidor but I believe I’ll remedy that soon.