Montecristo No 2 Vintage Belicoso Review

No 2 Vintage Belicoso
Made by: Montecristo
Country: Dominican Republic, Peru, Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 by 50

This is the General Cigars production of the originally cuban Montecristo brand. I feel the need to express that information. So as a separate entity, this brand operates by using alternative tobaccos then the original company uses. This is a limited run by the company advertised as a “Vintage Connecticut.” That may be a bit misleading though because the blend does contain a mix of Nicaraguan, Peruvian, and Dominican tobaccos. I am expecting a medium bodied and well performing cigar. Let’s see what this has to offer with a Montecristo No 2 Vintage Belicoso Review.

Prelight

Most of the cigar is shrouded in bands, the cap looks like it was applied very firmly and tightly. That’s not always a good thing though, this may be an unraveling wrapper. There are a couple of blemishes in the wrapper however I don’t expect those to be an issue. The bands are deductive in terms of aesthetics in my opinion, small veins and barely visible seams. The foot is giving off a cedar and black pepper note. There is a light sweet hay in there as well but overall, I am not getting the feeling this is going to be complex. Lots of loose tobacco on the cut, which is concerning again for the quality of the cigar. The prelight draw confirms the foots flavors. Cedar and then a mixed pepper black forward. Sweet hay is in the background. Let’s get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

Took some work to get it sufficiently lit. Good smoke production and pretty thick smoke which is a pleasant surprise. Straight cedar, with a black pepper finish. Medium bodied, the finish does have a bit of harshness to it. One of the least complex starts I have had in a long while. Low strength, this would make a good cigar for lawn mowing at this point but that’s all. The finish is the cigars biggest struggle right now, just harsh, bitter, black pepper and not enjoyable. Delicate thin wrapper, little holes in it were present under the bigger band. Not a good start at all.

2/3

I wish I could say that this was improving. Creaminess is bringing to work into the profile with cedar on the front. There is a herbal white pepper under the harsher black pepper finish. Mild to medium body now and no strength. White ash, I have no doubt the tobacco used in this was good just the blending is not up to par. As I get to the end of the second third there is a bit of cashew present after the front, but still the main notes are cedar and pepper. That harsh finish is an issue, the cigar needs more balance. It is possible that could come with time. Good burn though, I do wish the wrapper was thicker though.

3/3

Beautiful ash, the body has come back to a medium and the flavors are holding just the same. Cedar and the the harsher mixed pepper finish, which is still mainly black pepper. The strength came back to a low. Not a very attention grabbing cigar. It began to get pretty warm at the nub and any hint of complexity died.

Smoke Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Conclusion: 67

On the positive side it was consistent and had good yardgar qualities. I wasn’t very impressed. Cedar and pepper where pretty much the notes. To each their own flavors, but in my opinion this is not ideal at all. Try it out and see what you think, but if you are going to do a box buy of these I highly recommend trying one and making sure it matches your tastes.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com