Montecristo Thompson 100th Anniversary Robusto Habano

Thompson Cigar Co. is no stranger to exclusive cigars, but the Tampa, Fla.-based retailer has gone all out for its centennial celebration this year, announcing back in May that it would be releasing five different exclusive cigars from five different manufacturers.

The first to arrive was the ACID Subculture Kindered Spirit Thompson 100th Anniversary Edition (5 1/2 x 50), followed by the Padrón Thompson 100th Anniversary Robusto (5 x 54) in both natural and maduro wrappers, then the Montecristo Thompson 100th Anniversary Robusto Habano (5 1/2 x 52), the Oktoberfest Präsident (7 x 50), and finally the Arturo Fuente Hemingway TCC 100th Anniversary (5 1/2 x 52).

The third of these commemorative to be released is the Montecristo Thompson 100th Anniversary Robusto Habano, a 5 1/2 x 52 robusto extra that incorporates an Ecuadorian habano wrapper covering Dominican and Ecuadorian double binders as well as a filler blend from the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua. Only 10,000 total cigars were released in boxes of 10 retailing for $109.95, and they were first available during an event at Thompson Cigars on August 22.

• Cigar Reviewed: Montecristo Thompson 100th Anniversary Robusto Habano
• Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
• Factory: Tabacalera de García
• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
• Binder: Dominican Republic & Ecuador
• Filler: Dominican Republic, Honduras & Nicaragua
• Size: 5 1/2 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 52
• Vitola: Robusto Extra
• MSRP: $11 (Boxes of 10, $109.95)
• Release Date: Aug. 22, 2015
• Number of Cigars Released: 1,000 Boxes of 10 (10,000 Total Cigars)
• Number of Cigars Smoked for Review: 3

Covered in a milk chocolate brown wrapper that is relatively smooth to the touch, the Montecristo Thompson 100th Anniversary Robusto Habano features numerous obvious veins as well as a noticeable amount of oil. Although there is a nice give when it is squeezed, there is also crater of a soft spot near the foot on one cigar. Aroma from the wrapper is a combination of slight nuts, cinnamon, chocolate and cedar, while the cold draw brings flavors of creamy oak, leather and distinct sweet orange citrus.

The Montecristo Thompson 100th Anniversary Robusto Habano starts off with a distinct creamy oak as the dominant flavor, with lesser notes of cinnamon, milk chocolate, espresso beans, almonds and earth fighting for position. I am noticing some of the orange sweetness from the cold draw on the retrohale, and it combines nicely with some black pepper that is present as well. There is a bit of bitterness on the finish, but it is not negatively affecting the profile so far. Smoke production is above average, and while the draw is impressive so far, the burn is a bit wavy, forcing me to correct it to avoid it getting out of hand. Strength-wise, the cigar struggles to make it past the halfway point between mild and medium by the end of the first third.

A slight vegetable note becomes noticeable in the profile right around the start of the second third of the Montecristo Thompson 100th Anniversary Robusto Habano, but it does not stick around long enough to make any sort of impact. Creamy oak remains the dominant note, followed closely by espresso, earth, leather, anise and a slight almond nuttiness. The orange sweetness that was so prevalent in the first third is long gone by the halfway point, and the black pepper on the retrohale has decreased noticeably as well. Construction-wise, the burn has evened up nicely, and the draw continues to impress, while the smoke production remains dense and plentiful. While the strength in the blend does increase, it still does not quite make it to the medium mark by the time the second third draws to a close.

The final third of the Montecristo Thompson 100th Anniversary Robusto Habano is a virtual carbon copy of the second third, with the same creamy oak note dominant and the same lessor flavors of espresso, earth, leather, anise and a slight almond nuttiness. One change that is noticeable is the amount of black pepper on the retrohale, which has increased noticeably, and continues that trend as the final third burns down. The citrus does not make a return, and while both the burn and draw give me no issues, the smoke production has dropped noticeably from its high, although it is still well within normal limits. The overall strength does finally break through the medium mark, but the cigar stalls out there by the time I put the nub down with less than an inch left.

Final Notes

• I find it interesting that there was so little aroma coming off of the wrapper but such a strong citrus note on the cold draw.
• I have to say, I really hate the secondary band on this release, as the overwhelming whiteness of it is jarring when contrasted against the Montecristo band the first time you see it.
• You can read more information about Thompson’s 100 years in business here.
• The ash is extremely flaky, and seems to fall off the foot at the most inconvenient times, and with very little provocation.
• The cigars smoked for this review were supplied by Thompson Cigar Co.
• The average smoking time for all three samples averaged one hour and 35 minutes.
• If you would like to purchase any of the cigars, Thompson Cigars still has them in stock and the only place you can get them is here.