Montecristo Nicaragua Series Toro Cigar Review

On the March 2nd, 2019 episode of The Cigar Authority we welcomed to the show Brad Winstead, the Head of Consumer Marketing for Altadis USA. In the first hour of the show we lit up the Montecristo Nicaragua Series which was part of the care package. As has become customary we offer up a full review of the cigar.

Cigar Review: Montecristo Nicaragua Series
Wrappr: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Size: Toro

The Look: The Montecristo Nicaragua Series features a wrapper that is chestnut-brown in color with a nice oily sheen. The stick features a dual band system with the primary being black, red and gold featuring the fleur-de-lis that is synonymous with Montecristo. The cigar also features a secondary band denoting Nicaragua Series. In the hand the cigar is firm with no soft spots and a well packed foot. 

The Notes: The cold draw serves up notes of cayenne pepper, and a subtle wet earth while the aroma from the foot is slightly musty in nature. Once the cigar is lit the first note is reminiscent of a root beer float complete with vanilla ice cream that fades relatively quickly. 

Moving into the first third the stick develops a subtle creamy note that serves as the dominant profile. As the first third progresses there are additional perceived flavors of earth, birch and caraway seeds. The retrohale serves up notes of black pepper which linger ever so slightly.  

The second third sees notes of nutmeg become dominant with a wood component that borders on pine. The Montecristo Nicaragua still features an abundance of earth, but it’s relegated to the lengthy finish of the cigar where it is joined by notes of black pepper.  

The last third continues to see notes of nutmeg and pine with a touch of espresso on the back-end. The retrohale serves up notes of cayenne pepper with some pine nuts that continue to the long finish.

The Finish: The Montecristo Nicaragua for me was a cigar that was tough to judge. It didn’t taste like a Montecristo and it didn’t taste like something made by AJ Fernandez. So the fact I went into the cigar expecting something that didn’t materialize threw me for a loop. However, looking back at the Nicaragua Series it was enjoyable to smoke with a nice amount of perceived flavor and spice.

Score: 90