Edmundo Dantes Conde 54 Edición Regional Mexico 2011 (cigar review)

               I just want to start this review by saying....WOW. This cigar certainly lived up to expectations. This release was produced after the successful launching of Mexico's other regional, the Edmundo Dantes El Conde 109 a few (4) years earlier. That was another outstanding cigar. This current version (as with the earlier one) is in high demand, limited quantities (only 1000 numbered Semi Boite Nature Box of 25 cigars were made) and they're expensive. This version was produced in 2011 and is a Sublime at 54 x 164 (6.5"). A special band resembling the Montecristo,without the name, was used due to trademark conflicts in Mexico. I had been hoping to get one of these for years & finally obtained a few on a trade I made a few weeks ago. I don't have a box date but having been released in 2011 it's safe to say it was rolled sometime during that year.

               This particular cigar was a perfect specimen, impeccably rolled, almost flawless. One small vein but otherwise the reddish brown wrapper was void of imperfections. It was hard when squeezed and by the looks of it, well packed....hoping for a good draw. My wishes were answered on the the pre-light, it drew perfectly with big cedar flavours coming through. Once lit there was a whole bunch of stuff going on in my taste buds but after they settled down I could taste roasted nuts, herbs and wood. At this point it was a little stronger than a medium but I had just lit it. The burn started a bit off, the cigar was very smooth and had settled down to a medium body. At the first 1/4" I picked up hints of coffee and the burn had pretty much straightened itself out. 

                At about a little more than a third the way through I picked up strong flavours of Sweet Molasses which maintained it's presence through about a third of the cigar. The strength of the cigar hadn't changed.
                The last third I found to be more of a traditional Monte with earth and wood being the dominant flavours which stayed that way to the end. At one point it was burning a little hotter through the middle and I had to do a relight but otherwise this cigar burned and drew well throughout, with no issues. It was an absolute pleasure to smoke. At about the last inch it started to change for the worse but I was having difficulty holding it so I let it go.
                 I have to say this is the best cigar I've smoked in the last year and one of the better ones in the last few. In my opinion, worth the hefty price tag. It has a lot of life left and can lay down for a few more years but is smoking exceptionally well right now. It will be interesting to see how this cigar is going to taste a few years down the road. If you have the opportunity and can afford it, this cigar will not disappoint you.