Blind Review: Montecristo Platinum Robusto
The Montecristo Platinum Robusto is meticulously crafted in La Romana, Dominican Republic by Altadis, a subsidiary of the British conglomerate Imperial Brands. This brand boasts a rich heritage, traditionally renowned as one of the most coveted Cuban cigars globally. Interestingly, it’s worth noting that the Montecristo brand has a dual existence, with the Cuban version under the ownership of Habanos SA, and a completely distinct Dominican counterpart under Altadis.
The Cuban iteration’s origins date back to July 1935, when Alonso Menéndez acquired the Particulares Factory. A year later, in July 1936, Menéndez established a new venture with a partner, christening it Menéndez, García y Cía. Following their departure from the turmoil of the Cuban revolution, Menéndez and García rekindled their brand in the Canary Islands and subsequently in La Romana, before eventually being acquired by Altadis S.A. The brand’s name is an ode to The Count of Monte Cristo, a masterpiece penned by Alexandre Dumas père.
Blend Specifics
- Cigar Reviewed: Montecristo Platinum Robusto
- Wrapper: Mexican San Andreas
- Binder: Dominican
- Filler: Peru, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic
- Size: 5×54
Appearance & Construction
The cigar is a tipple capped maduro robusto. The wrapper leaf is paper thin. The cap is a darker shade than the rest of the wrapper. The cigar is packed tighter at the bottom and looser at the top.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
The wrapper and foot smell like a combo of Cinnabon’s and hay bales.
The cigar has a very loose cold draw with molasses on the breath. Sweetness….
First puff is faint. Sweet leather and mesquite. Leather aroma. Toasty retro. Great smoke production. Good heat maintenance. The smoke has a very light body to it that is dominated by cedar, leather, and baking spices. Burn line could be better.
Second third starts off with some canoeing that I have to touch up. The smokes body is still faint with nuances of leather, sweetened coffee and cinnamon. Ash buildup is flaky. Good heat maintce and smoke production. Burn line is still struggling. A little marshmallow as we go into the final stretch.
Last third needed another touch up for more canoeing. The smoking experience is still very singular and airy. Baking spices and leather nuances but nothing overpowering. Black coffee and pepper finish. Leathery retrohale and aroma.
Conclusion
In conclusion the Montecristo Platinum Robusto wasn’t a great smoke but it wasn’t an absolute failure. The Montecristo Platinum Robusto is definitely an anytime smoke, but not a smoke for somebody looking for complexity or a thicker more flavorful body. Touch ups don’t bug me too much, I’m used to it at this point in the game, but I can see that bothering some people. If you like leather and baking spices give the Montecristo Platinum Robusto a shot. Just don’t tell anybody I was the one that recommended it. Enjoy!