Montecristo showed off a new cigar at IPCPR 2019 that celebrates the 50th anniversary of Tabacalera de García, the factory where most of Altadis’s brands are rolled. It is largest premium cigar factory in the world. Cincuenta will be sold in two sizes box presentations: Toro which measure 6 x 50 and No. 2 which measure 6 x 52.
The Toro comes in 10-count boxes while the No. 2 comes in a humidor handmade by Lucrecia Valdez, who is known as the “Queen of Tabacalera de García” having worked there for 40 years. She is currently the master roller head supervisor. The blend uses a Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, Dominican Republic binder, and fillers from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. Toro sells for $35 a piece or $350 for the box, which the No. 2 sells for $100 or a humidor for $10,000. Production is limited to 8,000 boxes of toro and 75 humidors.
This cigar is stunning from the very shiny gold Montecristo band to the standout red Tobacco de Garcia 50 Años band. The cigar is a nice medium brown wrapped toro with a triple cap, nice tight seams and very little veins. Getting a feint sweetness with some barnyard on the wrapper.
First Third
The cigar starts out with a blast of pepper on the lips, deep caramel sweetness, and a touch of honey during the first third.While I am getting pepper on my tongue I did not get any through the retrohale.If the entire cigar matches the first third I am in for a treat.
Second Third
The second third transitions with the caramel sweetness still hanging in but getting more of a nuttiness throughout and an espresso finish. Burn line is a bit wavy but not really needing any attention. The cigar is purely medium at this point.
Final Third
The final third ramps up in strength and is hitting a medium plus with the espresso the primary flavor with some pepper on the tongue and the retro. Also getting that nuttiness from the last third but it’s fading. The final portion of this third turns to leather and pepper as the cigar finishes.
Overall Impressions
This was an excellent cigar. I had actually planned to smoke something else when this cigar caught my eye. The color combo on the bands is outstanding and for sure stands out from the crowd. The first and second third were incredible with the final third getting a bit more bitter. If you asked me to rate this cigar based on the first third it would be a much higher score. In the end I would smoke many more of these if given the chance.
This was an excellent cigar. I had actually planned to smoke something else when this cigar caught my eye. The color combo on the bands is outstanding and for sure stands out from the crowd. The first and second third were incredible with the final third getting a bit more bitter. If you asked me to rate this cigar based on the first third it would be a much higher score. In the end I would smoke many more of these if given the chance.
