Montecristo Afrique Review

[punch]

Africa. The dark continent. The word Africa brings to mind dark images. Dark, lush rainforests. Dark lazy rivers. Dark skinned peoples. But Africa is also a place of considerable diversity. Deserts, mountains, the Blue Nile, the dark Congo, grasslands and forests. Africa is thought by many to be the birthplace of mankind, and indeed a great diversity of peoples populate the continent.

I first became interested in the natural products of Africa when I started experimenting with different types of my favorite drink, coffee. I found that most of the coffees that I enjoyed the most came from the various parts of Africa. And why not? Is Africa not the birthplace of the Arabica bean? So, when I heard of a cigar that also came out of Africa, I was immediately interested.

I was familiar with African tobacco being used as a wrapper for years. Many of my favorite smokes were wrapped in the Cameroon wrapper. What I did not know was that tobacco was also grown in other places in Africa; Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. In fact, tobacco is the main cash crop for Malawi and Zimbabwe. Until I heard of the Montecristo Afrique cigar, I had not heard of a premium cigar that also contained filler from Africa. In addition to African filler, the Afrique line also contains filler from Nicaragua and Peru.

I received my first box of Afriques late in 2004. I opened the wrapper and beheld the beautiful black box. As I opened it, I was confronted with a row of 5.00 X 44 sticks that Montecristo calls Machames. These were wrapped with the most beautiful dark Cameroon wrapper that I had ever seen. Since then, I have also partaken of the 5.50 X 43 glass tubed Sublimation, the 5.00 X 52 Jambo, and the 6.00 X 50 Jambo Jambo. I am also eagerly awaiting a shipment of the 5.00 X 47 Uhuru. I have found the experience in smoking the Afrique to be very consistent across the line, and that is why I have grouped all of this into this one review. While the taste is very consistent across the line, the smaller sticks tend to have just a bit more kick to them. For the purposes of this review, I will discuss my experience with a Machame last night that is typical of my experiences with this cigar line.

Upon first removing this cigar from the humidor, the natural darkness of the wrapper is the first thing that I notice. This is not a Maduro wrapper, but rather what the Cubans would call a Colorado. As with all Montecristos, construction of this cigar is nearly perfect. Veins are small and do not detract from the aesthetics of the cigar. Uniformity of color within a box is nearly perfect. In fact, uniformity between boxes is nearly perfect! Overall, the look and smell of the cigar reminds me of a fine Swiss milk chocolate.

The caps on the Afriques tend to be well made, and I usually make my cut just behind them. Pre-light draw is nearly perfect for my tastes, and the pre-light flavor almost makes me not want to light up. The flavor is so good and mildly sweet that I almost don’t want to change things. Again, to my mind, I get a taste of chocolate and coffee. The particular cigar that I am reviewing lit quickly (as is usual) and burned very evenly. Flavor for the first inch was very mild and was nearly overpowered by the strong Black Russian that I was drinking. When I have this brand of cigar with coffee, particularly a good strong Kenyan coffee, more of the cigar’s flavor comes through. After about an inch, the flavor gets a bit stronger and remains somewhat consistent throughout the burn. I have a hard time comparing this cigar to any other since the flavor profile is quite different than my usual Punch or even other Montecristo cigars. It is a delicate flavor with some complexity and changes. I would not consider the cigar mild, but if you are one of the current crop of in-your-face, bigger is better, stronger is better Americans, you may not like this cigar. This seems to be a smoke that would be appreciated by those that enjoy the finer things in life. I could easily imagine this cigar being smoked by English gentlemen on Safari somewhere in the vast grasslands of Africa.

Smoke volume is dense and consistent. This is a cigar that likes to smoke, and it will put out tons of smoke with you or without you. I have also never had one go out on me as long as I don’t let it sit forever.

As to storage, this cigar seems to like it a bit wet. I have noticed the smoke get slightly harsh toward the end when the RH gets around 65%. I find the creamiest and most satisfying flavor for these sticks right at 70%. I have never had a draw problem with these at 70%, and they still burned and tasted good when my humidor accidentally spent a week at 75%.

My overall impression of this line of cigars is that they are first rate all the way. These are always my special occasion smokes, and are rapidly becoming my normal evening smoke. They are just too good for a “mowing the lawn” or “drive to work” smoke. I’ll keep my Punchs for these.

[altbier]

great review, i love these cigars!

[kansashat]

Nice review!

[G-Man]

Nice review, I have been looking at these for a while, but I have not yet tried one. The time seems right. Thanks.

[RPB67]

Nice review. Glad you enjoyed them.

[PadronMe]

I got a box of Sublimation that I was going to gift to a friends dad, but he were not home when I was going to give them to him. Now I've got this box in my cooledor and thinking that they may stay mine : . Looking foward to trying them with after they have rested a while.

[Jason Love III]

Nice review. I'll have to pick one up and give it a try.

[Jsabbi01]

That my friend was an excellent review! I'll look into picking a few up next time I go to the smoke shop. I've been looking for a good medium bodied cigar with a nice smooth flavor, I also love Punch cigars!

[bigALemos]

man that sounds like a great smoke, but i haven't seen them around at my local stores. are they new? and if not are there any good sites online that i can get em at, at a resonable price? i'd really like to try one

[Nely]

I love the Afrique Safaris! Great review btw.

[punch]

Originally Posted by bigALemos

man that sounds like a great smoke, but i haven't seen them around at my local stores. are they new? and if not are there any good sites online that i can get em at, at a resonable price? i'd really like to try one

I picked up my first box at the unmentionalble place that starts with a T. All the rest have come from JR Cigars.

[Moglman]

Had my first last night and I must say [SIZE=2]DAMN![/SIZE] It wont' be my last. Nice review Punchy.

[Bigga Petey]

Likely the most prosaic review i have ever read.
Those are going on my next shopping list.

[Basil]

I've been wanting to try these for the longest time but haven't been able to find them. I think it's time for me search a bit harder. Thanks for the great review!

[Nooner]

great review. Kilimanjaros are my favorite in the line

good sale going on at JR's right now:

http://www.jrcigars.com/index.cfm?pa...isto%20afrique