The Montecristo Epic Vintage 12 Blue Toro kept me interested and engaged through the first and second thirds, with at times intense flavors that managed to find a balance and harmonize. The last third was a bit of a disappointment with a largely wood driven profile that didn't offend, but didn't provide anything special
Typically, based on smoking experience, when I see another non-Cuban Montecristo, I assume an average experience. My assumption basically made an ass out of myself. The Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua No. 2 was far from average, being quite complex with sweet Hawaiian bread, barnyard, herbal tea and baking spices for most of the smoking time (last third lost steam). I'll happily smoke more of these.
Like a lot of releases from 2019, the Montecristo Espada Oscuro Guard started out really well and slowly went downhill. A solid Montecristo, nothing to write home about, but a nice addition to a brand that already has way too many releases.
The H. Upmann Connecticut by Grupo de Maestros Toro carried a fairly traditional Connecticut shade profile with a slightly amped up strength level. While the flavor profile is pretty typical of many other Connecticut shade cigars, the price point for the vitola is attractive.
H. Upmann Connecticut by Grupo de Maestros was envisioned as a unique offering, bolder than other Connecticut cigars, and exuberantly brought to life in partnership with cigar master Rafael Nodal – the head of product capability for Tabacalera U.S.A.
For me, the Montecristo Artisan Series Batch II is enjoyable and I would smoke more, but the price point is a bit of a deterrent. This is another nice cigar in the Montecristo portfolio which seems to be building a nice offering.
Price doesn't factor into the score, but it is an attractive one. If other samples could provide the flavor profile from the first third longer through the cigar, then this could be really good. It's well worth checking out for the price to see if it's something you might enjoy.