Smoked: Montecristo Espada Guard

Smoked at: West Chester, Ohio

Montecristo Espada Guard Toro is a Nicaraguan puro covered in a Habano wrapper. The bands are plentiful and quite exquisite in appearance but there are more bands than wrapper, including one on the foot and one that begins l/2 inch from the foot. Tried to carefully take it off but put a dent in the wrapper that took forever to heal. A little cigar glue applied and no touchups. Cigar. Heal thyself. Now Was that my fault or too numerous and ill-advised placement of the cigar bands? Because, other than that the construction was OK - good draw, decent smoke output, ash held pretty well. Perhaps this is one for AI to determine.

Flavors: Oak, pepper, spice, earth, leather a bit harsh by my standards, but harsh becoming bitter by the last third. There are some notes of cinnamon and cream at times. Overall, it’s a fairly one-dimensional stick with no transitions, balance or complexity.

The Espada Guard did not meet my expectations. I have many Monte friends who are not going to like my assessment, but there it is. I do expect more from a Montecristo.