Monte Especial #2 and Rafael Gonzalez Lonsdale

[greenpimp]

It’s been too long, I’ve been a malingerer, a stalker and not a contributor. Mea culpa, my apologies.

Had a couple of memorable cigars on the holiday, the double dip for me (rare anymore.) First was a Montecristo Especial #2, from December 2005 I think. After muddled eggs and biscuits, fired it up on a walk through the oak and eucalyptus groves down the street towards the tire swing circuit with the wife, the two little girls and Louie the pug. The sky was muddled itself, an undersea sky with the sun caught in the high blue haze like a full moon, and there was the slightest of swirling breezes, neither hot nor cold. A fish bowl breeze. Perfect smoking weather.

Very cedary pre-light aroma, rich and cedary with a perfect draw. Damn thing smoked for an hour and a half. Good burn, a lot of smoke, and started medium full and never let up. Taste was a rich combination of cream, leather, roasted nuts and coffee, the coffee and leather becoming more predominant as the cigar progressed. Halfway through vowed to smoke another one when I got home it was so good. Savory and slightly sweet and strong. The final third was almost too strong, with the coffee turned slightly burnt, but I finished it anyway.

The second I fired up after lunch, the Rafael Gonzales Lonsdale from late 05 as well, I believe, from a box Rob picked for me a couple years ago. I’ve tried a few, but none have seemed quite ready yet. This one wasn’t either, but closer. Beautiful cigar with a good draw, the milk chocolate wrapper seemed in good smoking condition but keep running, and I had to reclip it twice to remove the tar buildup. But the flavor was exquisite when I could capture it. The salty, mildly pungent pre-light draw carried over to the smoke, which had that same quality but married to a roasted meat character, like venison, and the finish smacked of milk chocolate. It was medium bodied the whole way, with the flavor combination of salted, roasted venison with a mole sauce. Had the cigar not consistently misbehaved it would have been simply extraordinary. I will wait six months or so and then dry box one again. High hopes on the rest.

[shrink]

Nice reviews, Matt. These are two of my favorite smaller ring guage cigars. You're right about the RG, I have a late '05 box and it needs more time. At it's best, it is a very sophisticated, complex smoke. And the Monte? One of my favorite Sunday morning smokes, with a good cafe au lait.

[jquest63]

Great reviews! RG's are a personal fave.

[hoyopr]

Thanks for the reviews, not familar with RG, but have a box of the Dec 05 M Esp2 as well and I think I'll have to try another soon, tried one in the summer and thought I should leave them alone till the Spring.

[aavkk]

Nice reviews Matt, 2 cigars I don't own but if I do buy any Montes these will be at the top of the list. Was looking at some 01 RG's, hmm...

[BonVivant]

Those Montecristos from '05 are quiet nice! Thank you for the review!

[Kangaroo495]

Monte E2 - all time favourite cigar.

RG Lonsdales I haven't tried, but have had a couple of spectacular CEs (in my top 5).

How about doing a review of a Dip2? I reckon those should be right up your alley.

[thechenman]

After reading this...I think I will light up a Montecristo Especial #2 tonight instead of the Vegueros I was planning on trying. Thanks.

[greenpimp]

Thanks guys. I wish the RG was ready cause the few great draws I had were just perfection and totally unique.

Yeah I love me some Dips lately. The Dip2s have been wonderful as well, good and strong with that smokey paprika action up front and some sweet spice later. Maybe I'll smoke one today, Kanga, good call.