The Montecristo Espada Guard brings serious Nicaraguan heat to the classic Cuban marque. This 6x50 Toro comes in boxes of 10 at $144.90 a pop, rocking a Habano Jalapa Vintage 2010 wrapper over Nicaraguan filler tobaccos from three different regions. The Altadis-Plasencia collab shows in its dense construction and visible oil sheen - I let mine rest six weeks before firing up.
Cold draw tastes like cocoa powder and black pepper. Initial puffs hit with mineral-rich earth and dark roast coffee. The dense smoke feels almost chewy, leaving a walnut skin tannin grip. Burn line stays razor-sharp through this section.
Nicaraguan spice amps up - think cayenne pepper sprinkled on dark chocolate. Retrohales get fiery but balanced by emerging maple sweetness. Smoke production doubles, requiring slower pacing. Ash holds strong past two inches.
Flavors shift meaty with charred beef notes joining espresso grounds. Sweetness morphs into burnt caramel while the nicotine kick starts buzzing. Stopped at nub with 1.5" left - tar buildup began affecting flavor clarity.
This Nicaraguan Montecristo iteration delivers on strength but trades some finesse for brute force. Best suited for experienced smokers craving bold flavors, though the young tobaccos could benefit from more box age. While not replacing my favorite full-bodied sticks, it's a respectable entry in the power cigar category.
