Tasting Note

This is one of three of this year's Edición Limitadas, and it's a big hit with aficionados around the world. For the last five years, a range of "ELs" have been launched each year, and the concept is all the same: create a shape, or vitola, that is not normally found in a particular brand, use a dark brown two-year- old wrapper and make about 10,000 boxes of 25 cigars. The Montecristo Robusto was part of the first batch of Edición Limitadas, which were released in 2001. So this is a re-release to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the line, and we think that the second production is better than ever. The 4 7/8 by 50 cigar delivers much of the usually cedar, earthy and tobacco character of a Montecristo, but the darker wrapper gives the smoke a little more kick.