Let's dive into the Montecristo Artisan Series Batch 2/II - a 6×50 parejo that brings Dominican craftsmanship to your humidor at $242.50 per box of 15. This limited release celebrates the brand's 50th anniversary with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper hugging Dominican binder and multi-origin fillers.
The cold draw delivers hay and cashew notes. Upon lighting, roasted coffee beans dominate with subtle white pepper tingle on retrohale. Medium smoke output with clean burn line.
Transition brings caramelized sweetness balancing the coffee core. Baking spices emerge - think nutmeg and cinnamon stick. Draw remains perfect, ash holds firm past 1.5 inches.
Cocoa powder and cedar take center stage. Slight mineral note develops but never crosses into bitterness. Strength builds to medium-plus, nicotine hit remains manageable for regular smokers.
The slightly box-pressed toro shows uniform chocolate-brown wrapper with minimal veins. Triple-seam cap cuts cleanly. Performed best at 65% humidity after 30-day rest.
Priced at $16/stick, it sits between daily smokes and special occasion cigars. While not as complex as Padrón Anniversary Series, offers better consistency than many limited editions in this range.
