Por Larrañaga Montecarlo - RAT JUL 20 (JBWP2RW)

[Tdm_86]

After a good result in F1 qualifying today (it’s my home country’s GP for the first time in 36 years and Verstappen took pole in his home race), time for a smoke. I just got this box, so for all intents and purposes this one is right off the truck. As far as skinnies go, I do think this is one of the best, especially when they have some years on them. But everything from the last few years has been smoking so well, might as well try this now. 

Pre-light:

Quite a dark wrapper for a Por Larrañaga. Also, very nicely rolled. Evenly packed, the wrapper is very nicely applied. I opted to punch cut this little guy. The draw is just how I like it, with some resistance. The smell is very nice, barnyard and sweetness. The cold draw is toasted tobacco and some spice.

 

First third:

It starts off surprising, and with that I mean it’s mild. In my experience, young PLMC and PLPC come kicking out the gate and don’t stop kicking until you finish them out. Very pleasurable with some dried fruit notes and some sweetness with a burnt sugar character. The finish is coffee and cream. The burn is really nice, good smoke output. 

Second third:

The flavors are getting a bit more pronounced. The dried fruit flavor is still there on the draw. That burnt sugar sweetness is present and it every now and again hints at caramel. A little bit of baking spice joins in and remains until the finish, where it is joined by coffee. Wonderful construction, the ash holds on really well and it smokes lovely.
 

Final third:

Flavors are largely the same, but are getting a little darker and dirtier, this is where it shows it’s lack of maturity. Not unpleasantly so though. There is still sweetness present, which keeps balance. The coffee is a deep black coffee that dominates the finish. The burn gets a little wonky but that might be because of the breeze that picked up. Once I smoke it down a little further, the baking spice picks up for an interesting combination with the coffee. The burn evens itself out and eventually the flavors get all muddled and uninteresting.
 

Conclusion:

Everything smokes so well young right now. These are good to smoke now, in my opinion. There are hints of the classic Por Larrañaga flavors present, so I think these will age really well. I ended up smoking this in an hour and 10 minutes.

88/100

[Skeng Don]

shouldn't this be in the review thread??

[Tdm_86]

23 minutes ago, Skeng Don said:

shouldn't this be in the review thread??

No, the reviews for competitions are posted up in the water hole and get moved to the review section after the competition is over. 

[ChuckMangione]

Great review, I’ve been looking at buying a box or two and this just convinced me

[Nevrknow]

39 minutes ago, ChuckMangione said:

Great review, I’ve been looking at buying a box or two and this just convinced me

You will not regret that decision Chuck.

[karp]

Nice review!! 

[Zaxeiler]

My mouth is watering. Thanks for the review!

[Meesterjojo]

Why does your Montecarlo look so huge? I want those

[Warbler54]

16 minutes ago, Meesterjojo said:

Why does your Montecarlo look so huge? I want those

It's all a bit of camera magic ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[Tdm_86]

42 minutes ago, Meesterjojo said:

Why does your Montecarlo look so huge? I want those

That’s what she said 😄

[Skeng Don]

On 9/4/2021 at 6:09 PM, Tdm_86 said:

No, the reviews for competitions are posted up in the water hole and get moved to the review section after the competition is over. 

Oh, Which competition? 

[JohnS]

1 hour ago, Skeng Don said:

Oh, Which competition?