Cigar Review: Montecristo Epic No. 2

Pyramid, 6” x 50 ring gauge / ~$15, Silo Cigars
I paid practically zero attention to the news about this product’s release back in August when it first came to light. Reason? I hadn’t had an Altadis Montecristo I really liked. I really did not expect that to change with this “Epic” line they were coming out with. After all, it was the same company blending it...and they tend to blend in such a way that doesn’t appeal to me...except not this time. I ended up picking up my first Monte Epic when a store-owner who is a friend recommended it to me...and he was right. It became hands-down my favorite Altadis cigar ever, even if it was a bit pricey. Then I saw a review or two hit about the “No. 2” vitola and I was intrigued. Do I expect that the cigar is going to have vastly different flavor than the others I’ve smoked? Not really, but...you just never know. The No. 2 Pyramid shape is probably one of the most famous vitolas of any cigar in the world...talk about Montecristo No. 2, and people assume you’re talking about the Cuban version in the Pyramid shape. Since Altadis is part owner of the company that makes the Cuban version, there is no copyright infringement for them to make an American-market version in the same size...so they did. This Epic features a blend that is said to be tweaked from the original release. It is a limited edition, although I couldn’t find anywhere that stated how many were made. Like the original release Epic, these have an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic; unlike the original release, which featured some Vintage 2007 tobacco, all the tobacco in the No. 2 is from 2007. I bought this one at Silo Cigars in Knoxville.

The appearance of the Montecristo Epic No. 2 is fine...I can honestly say that I don't like the red secondary band as much as the second band on the regular release Epic. To me, it just doesn't go as well, but it does differentiate it from the original, so that's something. The wrapper leaf had a mildly oily feel to it and just a bit of shine in the light. The aroma was faintly earthy with some hay notes as well; the foot had faint notes of hay and cedar with just a little sweetness. Moment of truth...snip the tip off the obelisk-shaped cigar and see how it draws: perfect. The cold flavor was of earth and wood.

It took a little longer than I anticipated to get this cigar fully lit, but my patience with the process was rewarded with very nice initial flavors of coffee, maple and a bit of dark chocolate on the palate; roasted nuts on the retrohale. Trying to remember the last Montecristo Epic I had, it seemed to me like the tweaks to the blend and the usage of all 2007 crop tobacco had the effect of refining the flavor and smoothing everything out in this version of the cigar. Really quite a good beginning, more in the medium-bodied range rather than the low-full range I got from regular Epics. By the end of the first third, the flavor had turned very sweet, almost a strong molassesy aspect to it. The smoke was smooth and refined with no harshness whatsoever.

During the second third, I had some cracking of the wrapper that seemed to start where I removed the second band and it removed a small chunk of wrapper with it. Combined with the very chilly air and the space heater I was using it is possible that some cracking was inevitable. I usually try to avoid reviewing under such conditions just to ensure against such an occurrence, but...well, I really had my heart set on this cigar tonight. I can't count this against the Construction points, especially since the cigar did not show any tendency to unravel because of the cracks, which to me showed that construction was very good. The draw was excellent as well, and the ash held on for more than an inch before I forcibly knocked it off to avoid wearing it. The flavors remained smooth and sweet; some coffee, some molasses, a little earth and the introduction of just a bit of pepper spice.

The spiciness grew in the final third as did flavors of earth and cocoa powder. The sweetness stayed pretty much level, but the overall balance was different. In terms of body, I found the Epic No. 2 to be right around medium to full, just a notch or so below the regular blend, probably due to the use of more tobacco with more age on it. Overall, though, this was a very, very nice cigar. I have to admit that if I started smoking today and this was the first time I ever had the Montecristo line, I would think they were the best thing available. As it is, I still prefer the regular Epic line to this, but not by much. Another very good entry into the cigar marketplace for Altadis.

Note: after I bought mine, smoked and reviewed it, I noticed other reviews being posted that showed a far, far greater price than what I paid...some as high as $22 or so a stick. I maintain that you can indeed "put a price on an experience" and therefore the cost of a cigar should factor into its score. At $15 a stick or so, I would say this is just worth the price of admission, but if you are looking at having to pay more than $20, I would pass...but, again, that's just my opinion. I also found it very interesting that someone I know fairly well and who generally hates anything coming out of the large cigar conglomerates loves this cigar, rating it higher than the regular Monte Epic. Very surprising cigar.

Body: 7/10
Strength: 7/10
Complexity: 8/10

AFP Scale
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10