Edited - From the Mambo Lounge get-together on Sept 22nd....

[CanuckSARTech]

Just a thought here guys.

I was talking with Frank and Orion and a few others in the ChatBox, and I had an idea. With a few of us looking to get together next Thursday at the Mambo Lounge in Toronto again (see Mambo Lounge Cuban Carnival Sept. 22nd Another one !!!!, thanks to Tom again for that one), I had an idea for a tasting.

Now, whether that Thursday night will allow anyone/everyone to be out for long enough, depending on who wants to do it, etc., etc....

But everyone every now and again still always discusses about the PE/HQ/PSP program, and about quality levels, and whether darkness/oils/etc. have a positive benefit to flavours, etc. So, I was thinking - how about me letting people compare for themselves, with some of the most high-volume production sticks out there, Montecristo No. 4's.

I have three good sampling boxes of these, some from Nov 2007 with some age on them (nice plume just starting to come about, not from Czar's), and then I have a box each of Czar's HQ and PSP levels as well. These are all Montecristo 4's, and nice sticks all around. I've waxed nostalgic before about the PSP experience that I had with these 4's, and how I think it's a cut above, and therefore worth the extra cost. But, this little experiment could leave it to individuals to try it for themselves.

So, at a later time (as I have to run out the door for the evening shortly), I will post up a picture of the three different sticks side-by-side; a fairly stunning physical observation really. And I will also figure out what the cost-per-stick for each of the different boxes is.

Then, for the night of the Mambo Lounge next Thursday, I will bring the three different boxes with me. Those that want to do a side-by-side comparison can then simply buy the three, and taste them to decide, either smoking them that night, or another night at your own leisure in the near future. I don't intend to just sell off single sticks of my PSP box, that's not what this is about, so don't think that's going to happen. If you want to try this, experience all three - the point is to do a side-by-side comparison of the different sticks. Again, yes, you pay whatever the total per-stick cost is.

And, let's maybe do a series of reviews on here, to get everyone's impression of the different three.

Some thoughts, guys. Let me know what you think. I don't really want to start mailing these all over the place, so this is kind of intended for those that come out next Thursday.

[CigarCanuck]

While I won't be able to make it over to the Mambo Lounge, I would like to participate in the tasting of all 3. If you are able to, I would pay for the 3 sticks accordingly and provide an online review of each.

Sounds like a great a idea

[investandprosper]

An excellent idea, and so generous of you to offer up such fine boxes for the comparison.

[Squarehead]

This sounds interesting and to top it off I'll be there.

[CanuckSARTech]

So, attached you can find some pictures of the representative sticks. From left to right, they are:

• Left - Montecristo No. 4, PSP stick from Czar's, Oct 2009 "RAS" box code.
  
  
• Center - Montecristo No. 4, HQ stick from Czar's, Oct 2009 "RAS" box code.
  
  
• Right - Montecristo No. 4, regular stock stick from Swiss retailer, Nov 2007 "BLP" box code:
  
  

Also, I've worked out what the per stick cost would be, based on the box prices. The total cost for the three sticks is $21.14 USD, based on the different box costs (PSP box @ $179 USD, $7.16 per stick; HQ box @ $169 USD, $6.76 per stick; regular stock @ $180.45 USD, $7.22 per stick).

So, pony up the moolah at the Mambo on Thursday (we'll make it $20 bucks even - no need to be screwing around with nickels and dimes), and you can try the various quality levels to better decide for yourself on the PSP/HQ/PE type levels. No, my regular stock box is not from Czar's, it's from a different retailer, and it's a different year/box code. However, it's still very representative of "standard" stock (it's actually starting to get some plume right now, aging well!), and works well for comparison with Czar's stock. And, with the HQ and PSP sticks, especially with the same date/box code for the two boxes, they really do stack up well against each other.

I'll have the three boxes with me on Thursday night at the Mambo. See you then fellas.

Cheers.

[rckymtn22]

Great idea, looking forward to seeing the reviews and thoughts.

[Ghabanos]

This looks fun...

[Guest leanderdsilva]

Sounds good Keith. I'm in, anything for scientific research.

See you guys tomorrow!

[goalie204]

You should have given them to ppl blindly with no labels, have them take notes, then reveal the source/quality after :P

[CanuckSARTech]

You should have given them to ppl blindly with no labels, have them take notes, then reveal the source/quality after :P

Honestly, I could, but come on! I mean, LOOK at those pictures! True, colour shade / darkness doesn't necessarily mean anything/everything when it comes to cigar quality. But, that said, these pictures don't pick up the HALF of it. The textures, the oils, the sheen, the overall aroma. As the levels go up with these cigars, the presence of all these things just become more and more noticable.

It would be very hard to do these blind, no matter how it was done.

[CanuckSARTech]

Okay, so I've modified the original thread here.....

As we discussed on here a bit, but also at the Mambo, let's see some guys' reviews. I've had a few PM me on some results/observations so far, with most still needing to smoke a cigar or two left. Everyone that wanted them now has them in hand, and/or they're being couriered to them for the end of the week. So, let's see some reviews (and/or pictures?) of what those that picked these up think of them.

There's a poll up top - what do you guys think? I know that a Monte 4 is a somewhat inexpensive box of cigars. But is the added price worth it? Or is it a deal, for how much added you get to the smoke for the comparatively fractional added cost per stick? Compared to what you've observed with these three, does that then make you more game for being willing to pony up the coin for the higher quality levels with more premium sticks, like CoRo's or 898's, etc?

What are your thoughts, let us know.

[Squarehead]

Keith,I haven't had a chance yet to smoke any of the MC's.Is this time-limited?

[Diamondog]

The Czar wrappers definately look MUCH nicer than the 3rd....the 3rd also looks underfilled compared to the others although that could definately just be the picture...

[CanuckSARTech]

Keith,I haven't had a chance yet to smoke any of the MC's.Is this time-limited?

No, no time limit at all. This is just all in good fun - whenever you get to it, Hans.

Enjoy.

[CanuckSARTech]

The Czar wrappers definately look MUCH nicer than the 3rd....the 3rd also looks underfilled compared to the others although that could definately just be the picture...

No, not underfilled at all, that might just be shading. The non-Czar's cigar, the BLP box code one on the far right of the picture, those have actually turned out quite nice. They've developed and aged nicely, getting a very refined smoothness to them. Just the right amount of time.

[Dbone]

This will be interesting. I love the Monte 4's from Czar. Regarding wrapper, a lot of Czars are dark, and I do prefer lighter on most. If there's a Box A, B, C I'll tend to go with the lighter shaded wrapper. They seem to have more bite and intensity. Although, on the VR and Monte line (my coffee / chocolate cigars) I do opt for darker wrapper. They tend to be richer and smoother, sweetened even.

I wonder if those thoughts will fall in line with the experiment.