Montecristo Platinum Toro 6″ x 50

The Montecristo Platinum Toro is a San Andrés-wrapped toro from the non-Cuban Montecristo line, handmade in the Dominican Republic. This is the non-Cuban Montecristo, made by Altadis; the original Cuban brand was named after The Count of Monte Cristo, the novel once read aloud to rollers in the factory.

It blends a Mexican San Andrés wrapper over a Dominican binder and Dominican, Nicaraguan and Peruvian filler at a medium body, leading with cocoa, espresso, black pepper, and a sweet, almost-syrupy dark earth. At 6 by 50, it burns cool and even.

San Andres carries more tooth than most wrappers, the fine bumps on the surface that are oil glands. On a maduro that oil is a good sign; it means the leaf was not dried out in fermentation.

Pairs well with bourbon, espresso, or porter.