Cigar Aficionado

Altadis U.S.A. is continuing its Montecristo Espada series with the new Conquistador line, which will be on display at the PCA trade show next weekend and ship to retailers in June. Like all of the Montecristo Espada cigars before it, Conquistador is made in Nicaragua by Plasencia Cigars.

With its large rapiers and gilded boxes, the bold branding of the Espada series has always been indicative of the boldly blended cigars within. When it debuted in 2014 it was historic, the first all-Nicaraguan Montecristo, then continued with releases such as Estoque and Oscuro, and most recently, Signature.

According to Altadis, Conquistador is medium-to-full in body, and composed entirely of Nicaraguan tobaccos culled from all of the country’s major growing regions: Jalapa (wrapper), Ometepe (binder) and Condega and Estelí (filler). It’s supposed to be stronger than the first Espada release but not as powerful as the Oscuro.

“The Montecristo Espada Conquistador represents our continued commitment to evolving the Espada line,” says Rafael Nodal, vice president of product capability for Tabacalera USA, Altadis U.S.A.’s parent company. Nodal was instrumental in helping to develop the blend with the Plasencias, and adds: “By working with the Plasencia family and utilizing exceptional Nicaraguan tobaccos, we’ve created a cigar that delivers balance, complexity and refinement while staying true to the heritage of Montecristo.”

It will come in four sizes: Ricasso, measuring 5 inches by 54 ring gauge ($19.95); Guard, at 6 by 50 ($20.95); Quillon, 7 by 56 ($21.95); and the 6-by-60 Magnum Especial ($22.50). All come in 10-count boxes.

For a vertical brand tasting on the Montecristo Espada Conquistador, see a future issue of Cigar Insider. 

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