Montecristo Espada Oscuro Guard

Cigar:cigar
Montecristo Espada Oscuro Guard
 
Specifications:
Purchase date: 2023
Country of Origin: Nicaragua 
Wrapper Color: Oscuro 
Wrapper type: Habano Rosado Oscuro
Filler: Nicaragua 
Binder: Nicaragua 
Vitola: Toro (6x50)
Manufacturer: Plasencia SA
Distributor: Altadis USA
Factory: Plasencia SA, Esteli, Nicaragua 
Humidimeter:  66 %
Current Production: Yes
Price: $14.30
 
Environment:
Temperature:  30 degrees 
Humidity: 76%
Wind: N/A
 
Setting: My regular spot in the little, outdoor smoke shack.
Paired with: Iced coffee
  
 
Pre-smoke Comments:
Smooth, slightly veiny wrapper with slightly visible seams, a smooth, medium length cap, hard bunch, and tight, flavorless cold draw. Overall appearance is attractive.
 
Smoke/Burn Comments:
Even burn, flat coal, and a typical structure, mottled black ash.
 
Draw/Smoke comments:
A tight draw, good volume of smooth, cool smoke, and a faint aroma of wood and tobacco. humidor
 
Flavor/Taste Comments:
Medium richness and body, mild strength,  and a perfect balance, medium flavors, of wood and tobacco. 
 
Finish/Aftertaste Comments:
Weak strength,  very brief length, and a  woody aftertaste/finish.
 
Summary Comments:
Overall,  a good cigar, but I cant say it’s any better than that, even excluding the tight draw after a few runs with the PerfecDraw,  and a barely “good" smoke volume.  The flavor was just too weak/mild, and wasn’t anything special at wood and plain tobacco, and I prefer a little stronger and longer lasting aftertaste/finish and a stronger more fragrant aroma. 
Plus, definitely nowhere near being worthy of $14 each, box price.
Overall score is an 82 out of 100, putting it solidly in the middle of the “good" range.
 
Category Scores:
Appearance/Construction___14____ 15     
Burn____14___15     
Draw____8__10
Smoke volume ___7___10
Smoke character ___5__5
Aroma___3___5 
Flavor/Strength___12____15
Finish/Aftertaste_____7___10      
Summary__12_____15
TOTAL____82___ 100
J. Bauer