Let's talk about the Montecristo Original Double Corona - that golden-banded beast measuring 6.25" x 50 ring gauge. Priced at $331.18 for a box of 25, this Dominican-made Churchill keeps the Cuban legacy alive with its Connecticut wrapper cloaking Dominican filler. First pulled from its iconic yellow tube, the oily wrapper glistens like aged mahogany under humidor lighting.
The cold draw whispers sweet hay through perfect airflow. Initial puffs deliver cedar shavings and cashew butter - that signature Montecristo creaminess dialed up. Smoke production stays moderate, no harshness even with quick pacing. Ash holds firm past the inch mark.
At the 30-minute mark, roasted coffee beans emerge alongside baking spices. Retrohales carry white pepper tingle without nasal burn. Burn line stays razor-sharp thanks to that Grupo de Maestros construction. Slight caramel sweetness lingers between draws.
Final third amps up intensity - espresso grounds and dark chocolate dominate. Retrohale reveals faint leather tones. Clocking in at 90 minutes, nicotine buildup creeps up sooner than Cuban counterparts. Good pairing with sweetened coffee balances the strength.
Rolled in La Romana's Tabacalera de García factory using Dominican Olor binder/fillers. While not Cuban-made, the blending team preserves Montecristo's DNA through aged ligero leaves. 2+ years of box aging recommended to smooth out young batches.
