Monte Open Master

[ajgagnon]

Sometimes my wife rocks. Friday before a long weekend she calls me at work to ask what marques of cigars I like... she is at the local humidor. Cool! I'm thinking Raphael Gonzales corona... she comes home with a Monte Open Masters tubo! Wow! This, after I had just ordered three boxes of PCs (one being a 50 cab, and 1/3 of which were supposed to be mine until my neighbour backed out and left me with extra ). Now, I know what you're thinking (especially Ken): lovely gesture, shame about the dog ****. But after smoking it in the sunshine last night, I can see what HSA was doing with these. And I can see why someone like Ken thinks they're rubbish.

First off, they are quite beautiful. Pretty tan wrapper, nice triple seam cap, very smooth and straight, round foot. No complaints. It was a bit loose on the draw, but I chalked that up to part of the intended character of the cigar.

In terms of flavour, the closest thing I have smoked to the MOM is the Don Thomas (Dominican, I think). This cigar is mild. Light, slightly bready-toasty, maybe slightly cafe latte character. It's not my bag in terms of preferred profiles, but I enjoyed it.

The cigar burned quite beautifully.

Now, the thing about this kind of cigar is that it's part of some attempt to reach non-smokers, or women, or some such. I can appreciate a lighter cigar in the rotation as a change of pace. As it turns out, I was fighting a cold, so the mild character was easy on my throat. But I wouldn't buy these except in the current circumstances. It's as though HSA took the best known brand, lightened it to 1/3 strength and made a nice, accessible robusto-like size for the casual or novice smoker. It has no edges, but no remarkable features except its pretty looks, mildness and good volume of smoke. So, I'm going to guess that these are intended for women, golfers on out-of-USA holidays, and new cigar smokers. Which is fine. Sometimes you don't need a Barolo when a Pinot will do. But I won't defend HSA or this cigar in a fight. And I'm happy to have a big box of PLPCs to enjoy the day after! But thanks, babe!

[goalie204]

had all the different monte opens ,and found them all bland, haven't tried em again since tho

[Colt45]

I can appreciate a lighter cigar in the rotation as a change of pace.

Lighter in body does not have to mean bland or lighter in flavor.

It has no edges, but no remarkable features except its pretty looks, mildness and good volume of smoke.

So, no real redeemable qualities except that it burned

So, I'm going to guess that these are intended for.....and new cigar smokers.

As members have mentioned in the past, wouldn't a very flavorful cigar be a better introduction?

Sometimes you don't need a Barolo when a Pinot will do.

A great pinot, while perhaps silky and not tannic like a nebbiolo, is full flavored - some of the greatest wines in the world are Burgundies.

My comments above are purely conversational - if people like them, they should smoke the.

[Plato]

Ken's facial expressions and attitude in the video review for the open are priceless