Montecristo 520 (EL 2012) Cigar Review
- Brand: Montecristo
- Length: 155 mm (6.1 in)
- Ring Gauge: 55
- Score: 3.75/5
Origin and Release
The Montecristo 520 Limited Edition 2012 was announced at the 2012 Habanos Festival and was the last to be released. Its name comes from the 520th year anniversary of tobacco discovery in Cuba. It's hand - made in Cuba, with tobacco from the Vuelta Abajo region. The wrapper, filler, and binder are aged at least 2 years.
Appearance
It's wrapped in a dark - brown leaf like a Colorado Maduro, with visible veining and tight seams. It has a triple cap, a Montecristo band, and a gold Limited Edition band. The wrapper comes from the top leaves of the Tapado plant.
Construction
The aged tobacco allows it to be smoked right out of the box. It's heavy and packed with tobacco. The draw is tight, and the burn is impressive. The ash is firm and holds for about 2 inches.
Flavor
- Pre - light: Aroma has cocoa, coffee, and sweet cedar. Draw reveals sweet wood, cocoa, leather, and pepper.
- First third: Tough draw, muted flavors at first. Later, it has cocoa, leather, chocolate, sweet oak, earthy undertones, and spice on the finish.
- Second third: Draw loosens, flavors intensify. Has woodsy, grassy notes, richer cocoa and coffee, prominent earthiness, and a peppery medium finish.
- Final third: Similar flavors, with added bitterness like dark unsweetened chocolate. Draw remains tight.
Value
It sells for about 14 Cuban Pesos in Cuba and $28.50 - $49.99 in Canada. Given its flavors and draw issues, it's not good value for money.