Montecristo Nicaragua Series Robusto

In the summer of 2018, Altadis U.S.A did something fairly rare to the iconic Montecristo brand: it added a new, full-production series to the portfolio, the Montecristo Nicaragua Series. To create the new line, it enlisted the help of a name that has been increasingly turned to for a spark: Abdel Fernández.

The line, which joins the Montecristo Classic (Gold), Montecristo White and Montecristo Platinum lines as the brand’s four core blends, is a Nicaraguan puro which the company calls a full-bodied blend. It began shipping in August, offered in four regular production sizes.

• Montecristo Nicaragua Robusto (5 x 54) — $11.75 (Boxes of 20, $235)
• Montecristo Nicaragua Toro (6 x 54) — $12.25 (Boxes of 20, $245)
• Montecristo Nicaragua No. 2 (6 1/8 x 52) — $12.70 (Boxes of 20, $254)
• Montecristo Nicaragua Churchill (7 x 56) — $13.70 (Boxes of 20, $274)

“We know that the consumer, as they develop their palates, some are looking for bolder, more complex cigars, and that’s what we want to provide with the new Montecristo Nicaragua Series,” said Rafael Nodal, head of product capability for Tabacalera USA, the parent of Altadis U.S.A.

The cigars are made at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A. in Estelí.

It’s the latest in a series of collaborations between Fernández and Tabacalera USA, as the pair have combined to make the Monte by Montecristo AJ Fernandez as well as blends for the H. Upmann, Gispert and Romeo y Julieta brands.

• Cigar Reviewed: Montecristo Nicaragua Series Robusto
• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
• Wrapper: Nicaragua
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Length: 5 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 54
• Vitola: Robusto
• MSRP: $11.75 (Boxes of 20, $235)
• Release Date: August 2018
• Number of Cigars Released: Regular Production
• Number of Cigars Smoked For Review: 3

The wrapper is a matte shade of well-tanned brown, not quite dark brown but certainly adjacent to that end of the spectrum. It’s a well-rolled presentation with incredibly flat, nearly invisible seams and well-applied caps. The cigars are on the firm side but show a bit of uniform give. Aroma off the foot is surprisingly sweet, with a bit of orange cream the first thing I pick up, followed by touches of wood and pepper to redirect the smell into a fuller and more nose-tingling sensation but without abandoning the creamy base. The cold draw varies a bit from easy to pleasantly firm, while the flavor is fairly neutral, reminding me of baked pretzels and dry lumberyard woods. There’s a bit of sweetness from the wood, though it is far from dominant, just outshining the sprinkle of pepper that is also present, with just one sample showing a sweet, creamy top note.

The Montecristo Nicaragua Series Robusto starts with what could be described as a very stereotypical Nicaraguan profile, with plenty of earth and pepper and a somewhat surprising bit of sweetness lingering in the background. It’s not overpowering but definitely engaging and scores points for both its approachability and familiarity. The first inch toys with some chalk and white pepper at points, but never deviates too far from the core flavor established right at the first puff. There’s also a touch of smoky campfire in the aroma, something I didn’t pick up on until the third sample when the wind was much calmer and I could better savor the aroma. The flavor intensity backs off just a bit and gets a bit creamier when it’s time to knock off the first clump of ash, though a hit of white pepper is never far away as long as you know how to retrohale. There also seems to be a bit of oily, buttery sweetness appearing in the aroma as well, showing that this cigar—if given the proper attention—has a good bit more to offer than might be expected.

The second third of the Montecristo Nicaragua Series Robusto continues with a lighter than expected body but pepper forward profile, which leaves a good bit of tingle on the tongue and in the nose on retrohales. I can’t help thinking that this cigar was blended both for flavor and familiarity, as introducing a cigar under the Nicaragua header comes with some connotations for people who pay attention to their cigars, and this cigar would check a lot of those boxes. The technical performance is still quite good, with no appreciable issues of note.

It’s hard to say there are a lot of differences in the profile heading into the final third of the Montecristo Nicaragua Series Robusto, though that’s not a terrible thing. The cigar holds onto its pepper-forward, somewhat rocky profile, with earth present but not weighing the profile down much. I still find moments where chalk and minerals come and go from the profile, and the second sample shift to a distinct profile of wood and mixed nuts, but even it doesn’t feel like a drastic departure. The cigar finishes just a bit sharp for my palate but it is still enjoyable, with construction nearly flawless in terms of draw, burn and smoke production.

Final Notes

• The first sample developed a split in the wrapper shortly after being lit, fortunately, it didn’t seem to affect the cigar’s performance or flavor. The second and third samples both developed cracks in the final third, but again, seemed not to cause any adverse affects to the cigars.
• Abdel Fernández has had his name on a good number of cigars made for Altadis, though it’s clear there was a line that would not be crossed when it came to the Montecristo Nicaragua Series. The core, pillar brands of the Montecristo brands share a name with no one.
• I’d love to see the web of cigars that bear the Montecristo brand. It extends all over the strength scale by way of numerous lines and limited editions. The Montecristo website lists 12 different lines, and that doesn’t touch the city-themed series, store exclusives and other limited editions, not to mention projects like Casa de Caldwell, a Robert Caldwell-blended cigar made for the nearly 30 Casa de Montecristo retail stores that bring the Montecristo name in but don’t wear traditional bands. It’s a more expansive brand than I often appreciate.
• Tabacalera USA has also worked to expand the Montecristo name in recent years by way of its Casa de Montecristo retail locations. I recently visited one of the newest locations in Tampa, Fla., and while it’s not totally overdone, the Montecristo name is very prevalent.
• Nicotine strength is mild but present; none of the three cigars laid me out, though I did feel it a bit after putting the cigar down, with the feeling fading fairly quickly.
• Final smoking time was one hour and 35 minutes on average.
• The cigars for this review were purchased by halfwheel.
• Site sponsors Atlantic Cigar Co., Cigars.com, Corona Cigar Co., Famous Smoke Shop, JR Cigar, Serious Cigars and Thompson Cigar carry the Montecristo Nicaragua Series Robusto.