Connoisseur’s Corner: A 98-Point Montecristo
Monte 5s are the lesser-known, smaller siblings of the ubiquitous Montecristo No. 4s. This well-aged example comes from a box of 25, which looks similar to modern-day boxes, but a closer look shows the far thicker lid, older Cuban tax seal and the absence of the “Habanos” sticker on the upper right hand corner of the box. The diminutive cigar, with its alluring chocolate-brown wrapper, fits nicely into your fingers and has an elegant look. The smoke is delicious, the draw easy and open from the first puff. While the little cigar is nearly 60 years old, it brims with flavors of licorice and sweet nutmeg. A wonderful cigar that delivers phenomenal flavor in a very small package. —Marvin R. Shanken
This Bolivar is from the same vintage that was named Cigar of the Year. More than a decade later, it’s still a rich smoke, though earth, coffee and leather are now in the background. Nuttiness has taken center stage, showing pistachio, almond and hazelnut, brought together by a creamy hint of nougat sweetness. We predicted that this cigar would get better with age. We were right. —Gregory Mottola
I took this slim, elegant smoke from a cabinet of 50, where it’s been patiently sleeping for more than 25 years. It took greedily to the flame, and had a mellow flavor at first, with a light almond quality. Later, a wonderful note of honey and graham cracker emerged, sprinkled with a touch of earth on the finish. A pleasant, elegant and supremely balanced smoke. —David Savona
A dark, imposing figurado with a dark and toothy broadleaf wrapper. It was all leather and pepper in its youth, but 11 years of age have tempered its strength. It takes on a cocoa note at the start, then shows some lighter hints of that old leather quality. The finish has a touch of sweetness mixed in with the hearty wood. It’s still strong, but not the unbridled powerhouse it was 10 years ago. —David Savona
