When speaking about ultra-premium cigars, the name Montecristo may come into the conversation. This year, Altadis S.A. teamed up with A.J. Fernandez to create the Montecristo M. The story of this cigar rests in the 20-year-old wrapper leaf. The Connecticut seed Ecuadorian leaf utilized for this project was cultivated and brought to life through the fifth-generation grower David Perez, resulting in a medium-bodied smoke that is uniquely proportioned to accentuate the subtle beauty of the wrapper.
My local brick and Mortar had got these in, and I had to check it out and I will say I was pleased that I did. Before we get into the review itself, just look at this “stacking dimes” ash – simply amazing!
The full blend is described as:
- Wrapper – Connecticut Shade (20 year aged)
- Binder – Nicaragua
- Filler – Nicaragua
The Montecristo M comes packaged in sleek, concave boxes of 20 and are offered in four vitolas:
- Robusto (4 3/4 x 54 – MSRP $30.00
- Toro (6 x 52) – MSRP $32.00
- No. 2 Torpedo (6 1/4 x 52) – MSRP $33.50
- Churchill (7 x 50) – MSRP $35.00
It should also be noted that the Toro will be offered in a five-pack as well.
For this review I sampled one of the Montecristo M Torpedoes that I purchased for this review.
Pre-Light Examination
The Montecristo M is wrapped in a gorgeous golden tan leaf that has a nice oily sheen, is silky smooth to the to the touch and exhibits minimal veins. The cigar is packed well with just the right give from head to foot. Construction is completed with an excellently applied torpedo cap.
Two bands adorn the cigar. The primary is a gold and white band that prominently displays the Montecristo logo. A secondary band is place below the primary that has the shape of a shield and displays a unique “M” font in red.
Running the barrel along the nose I picked up a mild barnyard fermented leaf aroma while the foot exuded similar notes with just a sprinkle of nuttiness.
I sliced the cap about a 1/2 down from the tip of the head and gave the cigar some cold draw puffs. The draw was excellent with pleasant pepper and tangy fruit notes with a touch of nut.
I started the journey by lighting it with the soft flame of a cedar spill. The foot took to the flame well and greeted the palate with initial notes of chocolate and fruit. Follow along as burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial notes of chocolate and fruit start the journey
- The draw is smooth and perfectly restricted with an excellent volume of smoke on each puff
- A light to medium grey ash forms on top of a medium thick char line
- Sweet nutty aromas waft off the foot
- There is no Connecticut bite at all in the early profile
- Orange honey notes add to the pleasure midway through the first third
- The early chocolate slowly morphs into a decadent dark chocolate note moving into the second third
- Mild citrus peel notes join the mix
- The aroma shifts to more of a fruit note midway through the burn
- A mild jag in burn
- Spice notes brighten the profile as the citrus peel note intensifies
- Extreme stacking dimes ash held on tight down to the final third revealing a well-formed burn cone
- Oak notes deep in the final
- Medium Plus in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
Final Analysis
The Montecristo M Torpedo journey begins with a rich blend of chocolate and fruit, offering an inviting start to the experience. The draw is effortlessly smooth, with just the right amount of restriction, delivering a generous volume of smoke with each puff. Sweet, nutty aromas rise from the foot, adding to the cigar’s overall allure. In the early moments, there’s no sharp Connecticut bite, creating a smoother profile. As the cigar progresses, orange honey notes emerge midway through the first third, enhancing the flavor profile with a delightful sweetness. The initial chocolate gradually evolves into a rich, decadent dark chocolate flavor as the second third unfolds. Mild hints of citrus peel join the blend, offering a touch of zest. The aroma shifts mid-burn, leaning more toward fruity notes. As the cigar moves on, spice notes begin to brighten the flavor profile, with the citrus peel intensifying, adding complexity. The ash holds firm, stacking dimes down to the final third, revealing a well-formed burn cone. In the concluding moments, oak notes deepen, bringing the experience to a satisfying close. This is a box buy. I rate this a solid 96.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Jag in Burn;
Bonus Points: (+1) Box Buy; (+1) Extreme Ash; (+1) Balanced Pleasurable Flavors and Aromas
