Vitola: Torpedo- 6” x 50 ring gauge
- MSRP $14.50
- Purchased at Burns Tobacconist
Background
As I noted back in March, I missed out on the original Montecristo Espada when it first came out. The Grupo de Maestros put together the 2014 addition to the Montecristo line with help from the Plasencia Family, using only Nicaraguan tobaccos in its blend. Three vitolas were made available.
For 2015, Altadis (the brand’s corporate parent) expanded the new line with the “Estoque.” It is also a Nicaraguan puro made in the Plasecia factory, but featuring a very different blend of tobaccos. The fillers are Nicaraguan Corojo Seco Esteli (Vintage 2009), Criollo Viso Ometepe (Vintage 2013), and Corojo Criollo Viso Condega (Vintage 2013); the binder is a Nicaraguan Criollo Seco leaf; and the wrapper is an upper priming Nicaraguan Viso Jalapa (Vintage 2013).
I believe the original Espada is intended to be a full-time release from Montecristo, but Estoque is a limited edition, available in 1 vitola and a total of only 5,000 10-count boxes (so 50,000 sticks…so not that limited). This review sample was purchased at Burns Tobacconist and it is the first time I am smoking this blend (although I’ve had several of the original Espadas and really enjoy that blend).
Prelight
One thing that is a little unsettling with this cigar is the number and size of bands attached to it. The regular Montecristo band…the footband…then a very large postage-stamp-edged band between them. The black and silver foil dominant in the design is classy and nice, but I do wish that not so much of the stick was covered. What I could see and feel of the exposed wrapper leaf was a dark chocolate brown color and had a nicely oily feel to it. When I sniffed it, I got notes of earth and leather with just a touch of cedar. The foot had more earth with some coffee mixed in.
After clipping the tip of the torpedo end, I got a good draw that had notes of earth, leather and cocoa powder, while leaving a spicy tingle on my lips.
Flavor
While working at Burns, I’ve recently been preaching to people to light cigars slowly and I practiced what I preach today, taking a couple minutes of toasting the foot, then gently blowing on it to test the completeness of the burn, toasting a little more, blowing some more, then taking a draw on it and applying just a tiny flame more to make sure it was burning well. The theory is that the slower you get the cigar burning, the better tasting it probably will be right from the beginning. Not having had this blend before today, I can’t say for sure that it was completely successful today, but I will say that as I started out the cigar, it had up-front and vivid flavors. I got earth and cinnamon notes at the beginning, then more cocoa powder and espresso bean on subsequent puffs. There was a little pepper spice on the palate, but a good amount more on the nose…yet still not so much that it was a searing heat. I noted a bit of bittersweet chocolate in the mix a few minutes later.
A couple minutes later, I noticed that the draw was tightening up a bit and this reminded me of why I don’t choose torpedo-tipped cigars usually. I have more instance of restricted draw with pointed-tip cigars than I have even with Lanceros. Usually, I guess I’m just clipping off too little to get a good draw…but when I re-clip, it doesn’t normally help much…or when it does, I’ve clipped too much and then the wrapper starts unraveling on me. The bottom line is that after having this happen way too frequently, I never opt for a Torpedo, Figurado, Piramide, or Belicoso shape unless it’s the only one available…which is the case here.
As I moved into the second third of the Espada Estoque the flavor profile was dominated by leather and espresso bean flavors. A black pepper burn was keeping pace at the back of my throat with a slightly spicier red pepper heat still residing in the retrohale.
The last third was again very earthy with an increase in the espresso bean flavor. Pepper notes faded a bit. As I got toward the end, the smoke got very hot and I put the cigar down with an inch or so left.
Construction
The draw was as good as I would expect from a Torpedo…not fantastic, but far from unsmokeable. The ash held on for over an inch before dropping off and the burn line was very even with little need for touching up.
Value
This cigar falls on the high end of the Montecristo line range, if you exclude the EPIC No. 2, which was closer to $20. While I enjoyed this stick, I’m not convinced it is fully worth the $14.50 asking price.
Conclusions
The Montecristo Espada Estoque was a fine full-bodied Nicaraguan cigar that suffered a bit in the last third when it got too hot. I liked this blend but did not love it and I wonder if I would end up enjoying it more in a Toro instead of the Torpedo shape. I would definitely smoke it again, but the price would make it a rare purchase for me. Still, I did enjoy it more than any Classic or White Series Monte I’ve had, so I’d say it’s a good addition to the lineup, especially for those who are drawn to the single vitola it’s available in.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: .5/1
Total: 8.5/10
Ehhh every time I think about picking up a Montecristo I pass it by for a sure fire winner. 3+ bands on it look stupid and I would not like them on my cigars. Great review but I say drop a third of the bands lower the price and then they maybe on to something.
That’s a whole lot of bands. Thanks for the info about the toasting techniques, maybe you could do a series or add ons about clipping the cap in the right spot etc, I know a lot of people who would find it useful (especially the toasting aspect).