2011 Montecristo No. 2 Gran Reserva Consecha 2005

[maverickdrinker]

2011 Montecristo No. 2 Gran Reserva Consecha 2005

The 2011 Montecristo No. 2 Gran Reserva is the 2nd release in the Habano Gran Reserva series. *This was a 5,000 box release and 15 cigars in each box. *The tobacco used for this release was from the 2005 tobacco harvest.

The Gran Reserva series started in 2009 with the release of the Cohiba Gran Reserva Siglo VI. *

From 'The World of the Habano' book...

'The term Gran Reserva applies only to Habanos whose binders, fillers, and wrappers have all been aged for at least 5 years before being rolled at the factory. *

Only those judged to be the finest leaves from Vuelta Abajo, the best tobacco growing zone in Cuba, are chosen to undergo such a lengthy confinement to ensure that, when the time comes to turn them into Habanos, they will offer a unique flavour and profile.'

Well, onto the review...

 

[maverickdrinker]

Picked up a few of these on my last trip to Cuba. *Haven't smoked many of them so far so tonight should be fun.

The Montecristo No. 2 Gran Reserva is a beauty to behold. *The wrapper is a gorgeous light, creamy colorado brown, like a light latte colour. *Smooth as silk and no visible veins.

The construction is impeccable!!!! *Solid throughout the whole cigar. *There are no soft spots at all. *The tips of the head are probably the most pointed I have seen in a Monte 2 for a long time. *The torcedor who rolled this is one talented person!!

Beautiful aromas of creamy, creamy chocolate, hazelnut and dark sugar. *Reminds me of a hazelnut latte. *Just a gorgeous array of flavours.

The draw is firm. *May need another snip from my Palio to open it up if it is a little too tight. *It's rainy and damp in Toronto. *Hope that this doesn't interfere with progress.

The cold draw reveals more cream, dark brown sugar, chocolate and a very slight tinge of earthiness.

Time to take this to the flame....

 

[maverickdrinker]

First Third
Deep earthiness, molasses, cream, leather, expresso and vanilla bean. *Reminds me of a delicious creme brulee and an expresso that you would have after a mind blowing meal. *Very rich and decadent flavours, this cigar has.

Burn line is wonky. *I blame the dampness in the air and my lighter conking out while I was lighting this. *Had to run in and refuel.

No questioning the flavours on this one. *Puts you in a zen like coma. *The after finish can last for days. *Leather, cream, earthiness, molasses and expresso all coming at you. *Pure deliciousness. *Very impressive for a young cigar. *Actually, that's not correct. *A young cigar, in terms of the rolling as the tobacco was at least 5 years old that was used.

Draw is bang on. *Full, copious amounts of smoke enveloping the night. *Everyone is getting blue smoke tonight!!!!

 

[maverickdrinker]

Second Third
Burn line has corrected itself. *Razor sharp now. *The vanilla bean, molasses and cream have moved to the forefront. *The earthy, leather and expresso flavours are complimenting this nicely. *Oh man, why did I not pick up more of these....

The smoke is just billowing off this thing. *This is a fantastic cigar to enjoy on a quiet evening. *All I need is to have 'Let's get it on' by Marvin Gaye playing in the background. *LOL *Did I mention I should have bought more of these?!?! *

Might have to grab a dram of Ron Zacapa 23 to see how it pairs together for the last third.

 

[maverickdrinker]

Final Third
A nice spiciness has joined the party and complements the earthy, leathery, creamy, molasses and expresso flavours. *Sweetness, combined with rich, robust earthiness and a touch of spice. *Remarkable!!!! *

The strength of this cigar was medium up until this point. *Got to give it a medium full now as the cigar has turned it up a notch. *I think that these will age beautifully!!!! *I wonder if these were what Dunhill Montecristo No 2s tasted like. *Never had a Monte 2 with this level of richness and complexity. *Just heavenly!!!

Burn line is in good shape. *Draw is getting a little tighter. *Might be due to the dampness in the air. *Don't you go out on me..... *I am loving you too much to stop now!!!!! *

The Ron Zacapa 23 goes superbly with the Montecristo No. 2 Gran Reserva. *A match made in heaven. *This is ridiculously good!!!

I have to say that the ash stays on for a long time. *Only 2 break offs so far. *Not looking forward to seeing this end. *This is like one of those nights where you wish it would last forever!!!! *Hot damn, I am enjoying this cigar!!!

 

[maverickdrinker]

Final Impressions
This one is a keeper. *This is the best Monte 2 that I have ever smoked. *Such, rich, decadent flavours with complexity that keeps you coming back for more. *I am going to have to bury the rest of these as they are sssssooooo delicious right now. *Time in the humidor has done them well. *I only wonder how much better these will get with some age. *These have the ability to go for the long haul.

 

[Diplomatico]

Awesome review. I'd love to try one of these...alas, I have a mortgage to pay. :sadstare:

 

[alloy]

Great review Maverickdrinker! Thank you!

 

[javajunkie]

as always, thanks for bringing us along for the ride, GREAT review!

 

[Knickerbocker]

ugh, I have forever been looking for 2 other people to do a box split no one is ever down. thank you for the review, if this convinces anyone they need to try these please please PM me. Really can't swing a box on my own lol.

 

[bundwallah]

Great review. I've got a single I might need to fire up.

 

[Bass man]

Very nice review. I've had a couple mid 70s Dunhill MC#2s recently & you really can't compare the two. Totally different tobacco straind & 30+ years of age. Enjoy the Reserva for what it is- or compare it to a regular 2005 MC#2. THAT would be interesting.

 

[BMack]

Amazing review, wow that sounds delicious! Love your ash tray too!

 

[orangedog]

Great review, if only they weren't a No 2 vitola.

 

[maverickdrinker]

Very nice review. I've had a couple mid 70s Dunhill MC#2s recently & you really can't compare the two. Totally different tobacco straind & 30+ years of age. Enjoy the Reserva for what it is- or compare it to a regular 2005 MC#2. THAT would be interesting.

That would be an interesting comparison. Now, all I have to do is to source a 2005 Monte 2. HHHHmmmmm.....

 

[pbibby]

Awesome review once again!!

 

[Alwayslit]

nice review