Concerning Altadis USA’s non-Cuban version of the Montecristo name, it was likely the 2012 release of the Montecristo Epic that first got a foot in the door of craft enthusiasts’ humidors. Surprisingly, in the decade to follow, the Epic sub-brand has been featured sparingly, though it was revisited in 2021 with the release of the Montecristo Epic Vintage 12. The cigars were teased for a good portion of the year, eventually shipping in June with upscale packaging that takes on the color palette of a pale blue moon. This language finds its way into the blend concept as well, with Montecristo claiming a portion of the tobaccos were “harvested at night during a rare blue moon.” Marketing speak aside, the blend is sourced from three countries, including the cigar’s signature inclusion of Dominican tobaccos harvested from a superb 2012 crop vintage. The blend is well put together, feeling balanced and flavor forward from start to finish. This is backed by more body than you may expect from Montecristo, with standout notes of clean cedar, freshly roasted coffee beans, sweet caramel, and long-lasting cream through the finish.
Montecristo Epic Vintage 12 Breakdown
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
- Binder: Dominican Republic
- Filler: Dominican Republic | Nicaragua
- Factory: Tabacalera de García S.A.S. (Dominican Republic)
- Production: Small Batch / Regular Production
- Vitolas: 2
- Price: $17.75–$18.50 (MSRP)
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