Cigar Pre-Review: Montecristo Epic No. 2 by Altadis

The Epic No. 2 has a few visible wrapper seams and a few visible veins.  The cigar itself seems well packed – including the tip of the pyramid.  In terms of the pyramid vitola, this differs from a traditional torpedo or belicoso in that the tapering spans a longer length from the widest part to the tip. (see above).

The pre-release sample I got had the familiar brown and white Montecristo band.  Like the core Montecristo Epic line, the No. 2 will feature a secondary band.  This band will differ from the brown and yellow secondary band from the core line.   The secondary band of the Epic No. 2 will be red and silver in color matching the packaging of the box it will come in.  It has a primarily red background with text “EPIC” in silver font.  The text “Selection ’07” is below that text in silver cursive font.

Montecristo Epic No. 2 with secondary band (Photo courtesy of Outland Cigars)

Montecristo Epic No. 2 packaging (Photo courtesy of Outland Cigars)

Preparation for the Cigar Experience

For my smoke of the Montecristo Epic No. 2, I went with a straight cut through the tip of the vitola.  It was then time to begin the pre-light draw. When I smoked the core line Montecristo Epic, I had a little difficulty drawing flavor analogies to the notes of the pre-light draw.  I still had some difficulty with the Epic No. 2, but it wasn’t quite as hard.  The dry draw notes yielded notes of chocolate, pepper, and some mild cherry sweetness.  Overall I considered this an enjoyable pre-light draw.  At this time, it was time to toast the foot of the Epic No. 2 and see what the smoking experience would bring to the table.

Flavor Profile

Overall there were some parallels to the flavor profile between the core line Montecristo Epic and Montecristo Epic No. 2.  At the same time, I believe there are enough differences that can validate this is definitely a tweaked blend.

The start to the Montecristo Epic No. 2 was similar to the core line Epic in that there was a blast of pepper to start.  The pepper seemed to subside quicker with the Epic No. 2.  Once the pepper subsided into the background, there was an emergence of coffee, grass, and earth notes.  By the five percent point, the earth and grass notes were primary while the pepper and coffee notes became secondary.

Toward the end of the first third, the coffee notes morphed into more of a classic chocolate flavor.  These flavors moved into the forefront and were joined by some nut flavors.  The grass and earth notes diminished and moved into the background with the pepper notes.  These background flavors complemented the sweetness up front very nicely.   As the Epic No. 2 progressed into the second third, some cream notes joined the chocolate and nut in the forefront.

As the smoking experience moved into the second half, the pepper notes moved back into the forefront.  In the last third, the earth flavors would replace the chocolate sweetness in the forefront.  The cigar experience would close with a peppery and earthy flavor.   The resulting nub was soft to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn and Draw

If you have read many of my assessments, you know when it comes to burn and draw, I often feel the torpedo/belicoso shape usually is inferior to a classic parejo.  At the same time, I give every cigar a clean slate when assessing these attributes.

In the case of the burn, I found the Montecristo Epic No. 2 to score quite well.  The burn line was very sharp from start to finish – requiring minimal touch-ups.   The resulting ash was solid and white in color.  The burn rate and burn temperature were both ideal.

In terms of the draw, I thought it was pretty good for a pyramid-shaped vitola.  From a personal standpoint, I still preferred the classic parejo shapes of the core line Epic.  However, there isn’t anything wrong with this draw and it still scores relatively well.  I imagine if you like torpedo, belicoso, and perfecto draws, you will like the draw of the Epic No. 2.

Strength and Body

In terms of strength and body, the core line Montecristo Epic cigars started out as a medium to full strength/medium to full-bodied smoke that progresses to a full strength/full-bodied smoke at the end.  In terms of the Epic No. 2, I didn’t see too much of a difference with these attributes.   Specifically with the Epic No. 2, the transition from medium to full strength/body to full strength/body occurs by the beginning of the final third.

Like the core line Montecristo Epic, the Epic No. 2 does a very nice job at balancing the strength and body.  Neither attribute has a significant edge over the other – making for a good equilibrium between these attributes.

Final Thoughts

Back when I assessed the Montecristo Epic Vintage 2007, I wrote:

The Montecristo Epic 2007 solidifies the 2012 reniassance by Altadis in the cigar market place.  As mentioned the Epic lives up to its billing as a “fuller” Montecristo experience.  This cigar also delivers a highly complex flavor profile that makes for an enjoyable cigar experience.

I subscribe to the same theory for the Epic No. 2.  In a lot of ways, I felt the flavors were more developed with the Epic No. 2.   Because it is a stronger smoke, this is a cigar I would steer more toward an experienced cigar enthusiast as opposed to a newer enthusiast.  As for myself, while I still would have loved this tweaked blend in a parejo, the No. 2 vitola is one I would not hesitate to pick up again.