Worth knowing
The âlittle sisterâ of the legendsLancero was only 3 years after this (1967 ) produced for the first time - like all Cohibas in the first centuries not for free sale. If you don't want to smoke that long, you can enjoy the same blend in a more manageable format for about 70 - 95 minutes.
Aroma
The taste of this cigar is very similar to that of the Lancero. Hay fragrance, nutty melt and earthy forest aromas along with charming sweetness are in the typically creamy smoke. Complex and intense, with a good medium strength, it offers the typical concentrated aroma profile of long Panetelas, which becomes denser as the smoke progresses, with increasing spice and roasted taste, without ever quite reaching the strength and power of the Lancero. In this respect it is more like the first than the last three quarters. A gorgeous elegant smoke, complex without being overwhelming.
Casa del Puro tests for you part 3
đ We are here for you even in extraordinary times, and have used the time to test the Montecristo No. 1 for you
Format: Lonsdale (16.50 cm / 1.67 cm / RM 42)
Single price (17/04/2020): âŹ13.40
Worth knowing
Slim, long formats have recently lost a lot of ground to shorter, thick cigars with more smoke development and a shorter smoking time - perhaps a symptom of our fast-moving times, as the 'Florette' with its slow burn was the norm until around the turn of the millennium - especially with Habanos; a Cuban cigar with a ring gauge of 50 was already considered unusually thick at the time.
Those who generally avoid large Coronas have no idea what they are missing out on, because they have a lot to offer based on their format alone: ââlavish smoking times, an elegant appearance and - probably most importantly - an exciting development in the smoking process, from a subtle start to ever greater aromatic intensity, combined with ever new small changes in the taste.
All of this also applies to one of the most famous classics in this format group - the Montecristo No. 1, a Cervantes with RM 42 and the impressive length of 6 ½" (approx. 16.5 cm). It has been around since the brand, named after the favorite reading material of some employees, split off from H.Upmann almost 80 years ago, and to this day it delights its fans with its brand-typical and varied aromas.
Aroma
Initially, it offers roasted coffee aromas, a slightly chocolatey melt and a pleasant hay note in the background; soon a deep, bitter-sweet taste emerges, reminiscent of mocha and creamy, dark drinking chocolate. In addition, there is a balanced play of earthy spice and caramel sweetness. Around halfway through the smoke, a hint of nutty umami flavor (walnut) increases its complexity, and the cigar tastes noticeably more distinctive. In the last third, unexpected flowery, elegant nuances that are somewhat reminiscent of the No. 2, the legendary pyramid from Montecristo. At the same time, the cocoa tone becomes more distinctive again, and while quite a few long formats tend towards the end to be more earthy and bitter, the Monte No. 1 is wonderfully soft and gentle until it is laid down.
Conclusion
The prejudice that is often expressed that long, slim Habanos are generally difficult to draw and cause problems when burning is easily proven wrong. This can probably be traced back to a crisis in Cuban cigar production in the 1990s that has long since been overcome - younger long formats are perfectly smokeable throughout, have a moderate draw resistance and a completely sufficient amount of smoke. You should at most enjoy them a little more leisurely than a Robusto - the MC No. 1 is worth it with a smoking time of up to a good 90 minutes, which is roughly the same as that of the more expensive No. 2! The strength of the Montecristo brand is classified by the manufacturer as "medium to strong" - the No. 1 is mostly in the middle range, which it only exceeds in the finish. It is a great choice for a cozy evening of cigars; it rewards concentrated smoking with great complexity, but is neither too strong nor too demanding in terms of taste to get even inexperienced aficionados on board. For good reasons, it has long been a real flagship for Cuba!