Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Montecristo No. 2

Size: 6 1/8" (156 mm)
Gauge:52
Weight: 14.26 grams
Box Code: ROA AGO 06
Vitola
: Pirámide

Country of Origin: Cuba
Tobacco Procedence: Vuelta Abajo (Pinar del Rio)

Factory: H. Upmann


Info: For more info on the storied Montecristo Brand, see this review.

Appearance: These are supposed to be the benchmark of the Pyramid vitola, and construction wise they do not disappoint. Rolled beautifully, not to firm or soft, and graced with a lovely veinless wrapper with a distinctly reddish hue, this cigar looked like the finest Cuban work of art.

Pre-Light: Clip was easy and the draw seemed just about right. Prelight notes were of that wonderful Cuban earthiness and some peppery spice.

Burn/Draw: This is where things got interesting. The burn on this cigar was all over the place. It started off and never really corrected itself. i would touch it up and as soon as I started puffing it would wander off again. It was annoying. From an aesthetic standpoint the ash wasn't too fabulous either. No wall this would be more of a concern, but the cigar's draw was just fine, and produced cool flavorful smoke. This cigar seems to produce a little less smoke than some others, but I have done some reading and it seems I am not the only one who notices this. Over all, while annoying, this cigars burn was not fatal.

Flavors: This is where this cigar really shows why it is the benchmark for pyramid/torpedo cigars. Starting with an initial burst off pepper and burning cedar and we are off. About a third of the way in some other notes creep in. Damp leather, offsetting some sweeter richer notes, cocoa and french roasted coffee. Over the middle third it sweetened up, honey and cinnamon and nutmeg, though all the while, a constant throughout the length of this cigar, was the undertone of that fabulous earthy livestock Cuban note. It would be impossible to pass this off as anything but a Habano. Over the final third, the smoke became fuller and creamy, and the spicyness returned providing a bang up finish. Don't let my gripes about the burn hinder your opinion of this cigar. I have had ones before that burned fine. Most of all if you discounted this cigar just because of burn, you'd be missing a seminal experience every cigar lover should have. Recommended.


TomC

Girls Aloud!

Girls Aloud are a Smash Hits Poll Winners, TMF Award winning and BRIT Award nominated British girl group who found fame after winning the ITV1 talent show Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 on which they were created. The group, consisting of Cheryl Cole (née Tweedy), Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh, has gone on to become one of the most successful British pop groups of the decade with a record breaking sixteen consecutive Top 10 singles (including three number ones), four platinum albums (including a number one) and record sales in excess of 4.6 million in the UK alone.

Their British production team Xenomania are well-known for embracing various influences, from Electronica, House, Power Pop and Dance among others. Indeed, the music of Girls Aloud ranges from the distinctly 1980s sound of "No Good Advice" and "Jump" to the sixties sound of "Love Machine" to the more futuristic sound of " The Show" and "Sexy! No No No..."

Girls Aloud hold the record for the shortest time between forming and reaching number one in the UK Charts (with their platinum-selling début single "Sound of the Underground"), and have since become one of the few reality television groups to have had continued success with Guinness World Records listing them as the Most Successful Reality TV Group in the 2007 edition. Their record of sixteen consecutive top ten singles is also unmatched by any other girl group, beating the Spice Girls' previous record of ten.

For a contemporary pop group manufactured on reality television they have received unprecedented praise from broadsheet newspapers and the rock music press, with publications including the Observer Music Monthly, and the NME giving their music rave reviews, with The Observer calling "Biology" the "single of the decade".



TomC