Montecristo goes dark.

Most serious cigar smokers like to think they possess a discerning and sophisticated palate, capable of appreciating even the most complex smokes. Those well-seasoned smokers’ chariot has arrived: the new Montecristo Reserva Negra. Rolled by Altadis at the Tabacalera de García factory in the Dominican Republic, the Reserva Negra features a dark San Andrés Morrón wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder and filler blended from Honduran and Nicaraguan tobacco -- in essence, creating a maduro stronger than the company's regular Montecristo, but balanced so as to provide well-rounded flavor, not a generalized tongue-napalming.

As for those leaf neophytes looking to expand their repertoire to stronger stuff, the Reserva Negra is a fine place to start: Pour yourself something suitable (such as a glass of Montecristo rum), ease into your favorite tub or softened-to-perfection chair, and spend a sweet hour smoking this stick to the nub. True power, after all, takes its time.

altadisusa.com
Corona (5" x 44) $7.50/stick
Robusto (5" x 54) $8.50/stick
Toro (6" x 54) $9/stick
Churchill (7" x 56) $10/stick
Belicoso (6 1/8" x 52) $12/stick

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