The Montecristo | Epic Craft Cured Toro is a line extension of the Montecristo Epic line that was released in 2012. The original Epic was blended by Grupo de Maestros. The Craft Cured was blended by the Plasencia family, who also made the Montecristo Espada in 2014 and the limited edition Montecristo Espada Estoque in 2015.
This cigar is a Nicaraguan puro wrapped with a 2006 rosado oscuro wrapper and though each component is said to go through curing in small pilones. The filler has tobacco from Nicaragua from the Condega, Estelí, and Jalapa regions, and the binder comes from Ometepe.
The cigar is made in three vitolas packed in 10-count boxes and priced between $14.65 and $16.50 per cigar. Robusto (5 x 52) — $14.65, Toro (6 x 52) — $15.75, Belicoso (6 1/8 x 52) — $16.50. It was released in December.
Pre-light
This cigar is quite attractive with it’s expensive looking bands and wrapper that is quite soft. The only downside so far is a couple decent sized veins along with middle of the body. The wrapper has a nice shine to it and the foot is clean. The wrapper has a mild barnyard scent and the foot is a bit vegetal. The pre-light draw is a bit of both with must.
First Third
The first few puffs are mostly absent of pepper, but have lots of other flavors like earth and leather. The draw is a bit snug but works. Further in, there is a mild amount of pepper, which is nice, along with earth and bread. Smoke production has really picked up a lot. This third finishes out much the same, but more refined with some saltiness added.
Second Third
This third has mellowed out quite a bit, so not as much of the pepper and spices, but there is still that bread undertone setting the mood. Some leather has reappeared balancing out this cigar nicely. The cigar continues to mellow toward the end and this third ends with the same bread notes in the front along with earth.
Final Third
This third starts off with a shift in flavor from bread to pretzels in it’s base. This works well with the still present saltiness. This balances nicely with the leather and pepper. The cigar finished out nice and calm and didn’t get it hot. The same flavors continued all the way.
Final Thoughts
This was a really good cigar, probably my favorite Altadis release in recent history. These were just good traditional flavors that were very balanced at every turn. I think these are ready to smoke right now, and have some short-term aging potential to really bring out the bready flavors. The construction was spot on with the draw and smoke production, and never had to light again. I’m glad I have a couple more of these and plan on smoking another very soon.
This was a really good cigar, probably my favorite Altadis release in recent history. These were just good traditional flavors that were very balanced at every turn. I think these are ready to smoke right now, and have some short-term aging potential to really bring out the bready flavors. The construction was spot on with the draw and smoke production, and never had to light again. I'm glad I have a couple more of these and plan on smoking another very soon.
