logan37's reviews

[logan37]

Churchill (7x50)
Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatran
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic/Brazilian

Drink: Earl Grey tea

I've been eying these cigars for a few weeks now and I finally decided to take the plunge and won a tin of these on CBid.

Just in case someone is not familiar with these cigars...

The factory’s highest level, most seasoned and time-tested rollers are given the designation ’Level 7 Roller.’ That’s the inspiration for this blend. Montecristo Sevens are a special limited-edition Monte blend, beautiful handmades available in one size only, a 7” x 50 churchill. Each cigar is dressed in a seamless, chocolate brown Ecuadorian-grown Sumatra wrapper, filled with vintage Dominican and Brazilian long-fillers. The smoke is mild to medium in body, coating the palate with refined layers of rich, smooth flavors. A Spanish cedar sleeve covers each cigar, adding yet another layer of flavor to this aged blend.

The cigar was presented in a cedar wrapper that stretched almost the entire length of it. At the top was a very ornate band, which really strays from the usual Monte bands. When I slid the cedar/band off a second identical band was wrapped around the cigar. A very nice surprise. I usually take off the bands before I fire up a stick, but I left this one on since they went through the trouble of putting a 2nd one on.

For the cigar itself; this cigar was beautiful. The construction was perfect. The Sumatran wrapper was dark brown and a little toothy. The cigar had an earthy, mild cedar smell to it. The pre-light draw was very clear and tasted slightly earthy.

After toasting the foot a nutty scent peaked out. As I puffed on the stick, I was immediately hit with a nice amount of spice and nutty flavors. The finish on the cigars was a refreshingly mild tartness. The tartness gave a nice balance to the spice of smoke. The actual smoke was heavy and bright white. The ash produced was very thick and grey. In the middle of the cigar the spice mellowed out quite a bit and the smoke became slightly sweet but still finished with the tart. Near the end of the cigar the spice came back and gradually got stronger up until the end. The tartness went away as the spice picked up. The draw was extremely cool most of the stick. Near the end it became a little warm, but a minutes rest remedied that.

This was a very nice, balanced cigar. A must try for any Monte fan.

* H. Upmann and RyJ also have a seven series created by the same rollers(the only difference I can find is the wrappers on each are different)

The Upmann cigars are wrapped in a magnificent golden brown Connecticut shade, the Romeo y Julieta cigars are wrapped in a magnificent tawny-brown Ecuador Connecticut, and the Montecristo cigars wrapped in a magnificent chocolate-brown Ecuador Sumatra.

**sorry for the length. I was excited about this one.