Montecristo Monte by AJ Fernandez is another fantastic collaboration between Master Blender A J Fernandez and this iconic brand. This is the fourth cigar blended and rolled by Fernández for Altadis U.S.A.
With attention to detail, this creation contains vintage Dominican piloto cubano and criollo 98 fillers along with a prime Nicaraguan corojo 98 binder. And encasing all this is a 17-year-old Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. How’s that for complexity and craftsmanship! Without doubt the blend yields a balanced, smooth medium-full bodied flavor. To say the least, this dark, box pressed cigar is perfectly made with an exceptional draw.
When renowned industry reviewer Katman rated it at 95, his description of this flavor bomb is spot on. ” This may just be the maltiest blend I’ve smoked. In addition, flavors of chocolate, caramel, creaminess, red pepper, dried fruit, roasted nuts, cedar, and toasted buttered French bread make this cigar a winner.”
If you consider yourself a fan of Montecristo and AJ Fernandez, this one must be in your humidor for sure!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan Corojo 98
Filler: Nicaraguan Criollo 98, Dominican Republic Piloto Cubano
Factory: Tabacalera Fernandez S.A.
Blender: AJ Fernandez
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Without doubt, Montecristo Espada is one of this iconic company’s best cigars ever!
The Spanish lesson for today is: Espada means sword. When the Espada appeared garnering a 92 rating and becoming one of the top 25 cigars of the year we all knew it was worth the price. What must be remembered is Espada is made in Nicaragua at Plasencia Cigars and is a collaboration between Plasencia and the Altadis blending team, Grupo de Maestros.
With attention to detail, the very rare wrapper from 2010 encases vintage Nicaraguan filler and binder tobacco from three prized growing regions. In fact, the filler and binder leaves are even older! The result is a medium bodied purebred with an interesting combination of sweetness and spice thats creamy and balanced. Cigar Aficionado describes this amazing smoke perfectly. “An exceptional smoke offering the spice of a gingersnap with touches of cinnamon that build to a sweet, spicy finish.”
It’s no surprise Espada has been pleasing cigar smokers for almost a decade and is still going strong.
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa) Vintage 2010
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa) Vintage 2009
Filler: Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa) Seco Vintage 2008, Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa) Viso Ometepe Vintage 2008, Nicaraguan Habano (Condega) Ligero Vintage 2008
Montecristo Pilotico is a very special edition from this long storied brand.
This 2017 creation has an interesting heritage. It turns out that around 50 years ago, Jose Pepe Mendez came upon a region in the Dominican Republic that proved to be perfect for growing tobacco leaves. It was here where he planted what is known as his Pilotico seeds. As time passed he also gained a reputation for establishing many growing techniques and grading guidelines that still exist today in the industry. The master blenders of Montecristo decided to pay homage to Mendez and his seeds by creating this three country blend that yields a sweet kind of medium bodied taste.
To put in another way, Blind Man’s Puff rated this one at 90. Cigar Coop gave it a 91. Without doubt, Pilotico is a must try for aficionados everywhere!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican Pilotico, Nicaraguan
Factory: Tabacalera de Garcia
Blender: Grupo de Maestros
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Montecristo White Vintage Connecticut is a boutique cigar lover’s dream come true.
Enter this special White Vintage Connecticut edition in 2016 with a three country blend of fillers and binder encased in a US grown Ct. shade wrapper from 2008 and the bar becomes seriously raised! This is an extremely smooth smoke with an all encompassing bouquet of flavors that everyone enjoys. With attention to detail, all the tobacco in these grows on Montecristo’s company farms and is exclusive for these special cigars.
Blind Man’s Puff rates the Double Corona a respectable 91. Their description is still spot on. “I really enjoyed this cigar. I loved the peculiar first third that was able to undergo a metamorphosis into other complex flavors.” Without doubt, this Montecristo is a winner!
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: U.S. Connecticut Shade Vintage 2008
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Peru
Factory: Tabacalera de Garcia
Blender: Grupo de Maestros
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
