Montecristo Media Noche Review
7/20/2014
Cigar: Montecristo Media Noche
Size: Robusto, 5.0”x55
MSRP: $11.00
Strength: Medium-Full
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Origin: Dominican Republic
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Prelight: The wrapper on the Media Noche is definitely as dark as midnight. But, the oily, veinless wrapper is still a bit ugly: marbled, lumpy, just not as refined as I would expect from Montecristo. The wrapper smells of pungent wood and barnyard, like an old farm in a Pacific Northwest rainstorm. The foot is extremely dense and has a woody aroma with just a hint of powdered cocoa. After a punch, the cold draw is a little tight (but I’m too lazy to re-cut) and I can taste the aromas of the foot with a sweet addition that reminds me of stone fruit.
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1/3: There is a very mild spice at first light. And I mean mild. There is plenty of sweet cream and just a hint of cedar. The cedar increases as I burn through the first third, remarking at the perfect burn line and ash. The draw, however, is still a little tight to fully enjoy the cigar.
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2/3: Pepper and cedar increase in the second third, but it is still not what I would call spicy. This is definitely not a Pepin, but the pepper taste is still there. As I am disturbed by the tight draw, I investigate the cigar and notice that the head is as hard as a rock; this has got to be the location of the knot. I massage it a little and press on. Woody cream continues to come through as I seem to have loosened up the draw with my kneading.
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3/3: The draw is pretty good now, and the flavors are charred wood, butter and hay. What was that song about Mrs. O’Leary’s cow? I digress. The strength is definitely on the fuller side of medium now and the final third ends at the nub the with the same charred, buttery hay flavors.
Overall: Not bad. The construction is not as perfect as I would expect from this brand and its price point, but the burn was straight and the ash was strong. The flavors are good and it’s nice to have a fuller Monte. I’d smoke this again as part of a sampler, but wouldn’t pick up a single on its own.
