Monte #2

[bolivr]

Hi folks, this is my second Monte #2 from a handful from the Czar. It's a comparison and the first review is here

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102714

Well, it’s time to work on an update to some paperwork on a Sunday afternoon and may as well make the experience as pleasant as possible. Out on the deck there is a slight breeze and the sun is breaking through now and again to warm my back. Not bad at all.

I thought it would be a good exercise to compare cigars from the same batch after some months resting in the fridgador at an average of 68%RH.

This cigar has lost most of the funkiness I noticed when they arrived from the Czar and has settled to a cold aroma of dry hay, cedar and subtle but rich tobacco. The box date is unknown but is likely to be 2010 production. It’s a slightly glossy cigar with the wrapper showing what I consider a nice oil sheen

On another recent thread there was the discussion of whether a cigar band influences your enjoyment (or otherwise) of a cigar. I believe I am influenced by the band design and colours but this could result in only an unconscious affect on how I view the cigar overall. The Monte has quite a plain band but if I think about it I feel there is subtle prestige in the detail of its lightly embossed features. Compared to the Punch band for instance it is a plain Jane but still manages to be distinctive. The cigar feels firm and well filled in the hand, cold draw shows more of the dry hay and light leather.

Once lit, the first draws show some toasty roasted nut but the cigar takes nearly the full first third before it comes alive and starts to deliver creamy thick smoke, a distinct and clear roasted coffee bean aroma at the cap end and light cream through the nose. The aroma floating up from the cigar as it rests in the ashtray is however much lighter – a new leather, lightly spiced siren call to take another draw and then another. It is in the zone now and continues consistently like this all the way to the end. That aroma is pure Cuban goodness and was noticed by others who commented that the cigar smelt great.

The paperwork got done without me realising it. There is definitely something about a cigar promoting thought and concentration, allowing the smoker to block out distractions. I find a cigar is wasted when smoked while doing something practical that does not require more abstract thought. What do you guys think?

[CBL]

Great review and I agree that smoking a cigar while doing work that requires concentration can benefit the work, however sometimes the cigar requires so much concentration to keep it going that the work gets neglected. That's why I only go for cigars that have proven themselves time and again when doing important work.

What's the boxcode btw.?

[headstand]

Bolivr,

Thanks for the review. That photo shows exactly what I like to see in the Monte # 2 in terms of color and oil sheen. I have had some nice ones from a box dated Mar 10. Now have a box in the Czars humidor and am thinking of buying yet another. Satisfying experience 8 out of 10 times for me.

[Plato]

Hi folks, this is my second Monte #2 from a handful from the Czar. It's a comparison and the first review is here

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102714

Well, it’s time to work on an update to some paperwork on a Sunday afternoon and may as well make the experience as pleasant as possible. Out on the deck there is a slight breeze and the sun is breaking through now and again to warm my back. Not bad at all.

I thought it would be a good exercise to compare cigars from the same batch after some months resting in the fridgador at an average of 68%RH.

This cigar has lost most of the funkiness I noticed when they arrived from the Czar and has settled to a cold aroma of dry hay, cedar and subtle but rich tobacco. The box date is unknown but is likely to be 2010 production. It’s a slightly glossy cigar with the wrapper showing what I consider a nice oil sheen

On another recent thread there was the discussion of whether a cigar band influences your enjoyment (or otherwise) of a cigar. I believe I am influenced by the band design and colours but this could result in only an unconscious affect on how I view the cigar overall. The Monte has quite a plain band but if I think about it I feel there is subtle prestige in the detail of its lightly embossed features. Compared to the Punch band for instance it is a plain Jane but still manages to be distinctive. The cigar feels firm and well filled in the hand, cold draw shows more of the dry hay and light leather.

Once lit, the first draws show some toasty roasted nut but the cigar takes nearly the full first third before it comes alive and starts to deliver creamy thick smoke, a distinct and clear roasted coffee bean aroma at the cap end and light cream through the nose. The aroma floating up from the cigar as it rests in the ashtray is however much lighter – a new leather, lightly spiced siren call to take another draw and then another. It is in the zone now and continues consistently like this all the way to the end. That aroma is pure Cuban goodness and was noticed by others who commented that the cigar smelt great.

The paperwork got done without me realising it. There is definitely something about a cigar promoting thought and concentration, allowing the smoker to block out distractions. I find a cigar is wasted when smoked while doing something practical that does not require more abstract thought. What do you guys think?

I totally agree about what you said. I find that if I am doing something else that I really miss out on the subtle flavors of the cigar, and I just don't enjoy it as much. It's like trying to listen to music while you are having a cell phone conversation. Sure… you can hear the music, but you are not truly listening & understanding it, right? In my own experience, I’ve found that the worst possible place/time for me to smoke a cigar is while I am driving in my car. Focusing on driving alone makes it difficult to appreciate the nuances of the tobacco. On top of that, having my windows down creates way too much wind. I barely can smell the smoke before it gets sucked out of the window. (Side note: For me, the only thing that is even worse than smoking a car while driving, is smoking a cigar while driving AND talking to my girlfriend on my car speakerphone. Regretfully, I did this last night with a H Upmann No. 2) If the goal is to truly appreciate and understand a fine cigar, then I have found that it needs to be the primary focus of your attention. Since we are human beings, not Gods, we only have so much mental focus to go around. I have found that I get the most enjoyment out of a cigar when I can focus 100% of my concentration on the cigar. I have decided from this point forward that when I am driving home, or multitasking, I am not going to smoke fine cigars.

[Plato]

Whoops, I almost forgot:

That was a great review. I really like the photos. What kind of camera do you use? I am just getting into photopraphy and want to buy a good camera. I was thinking about getting a D3100

Mike

[bolivr]

Whoops, I almost forgot:

That was a great review. I really like the photos. What kind of camera do you use? I am just getting into photopraphy and want to buy a good camera. I was thinking about getting a D3100

Mike

Hi Mike,

Glad you liked it. It's a shame our lifestyle nowadays seems to demand so much multi-tasking. The practicalities of finding the time to sit and smoke just to enjoy it are sadly rare which tempts us to try to enjoy a cigar while doing something else. It sounds a bit lame but I am going to try to schedule cigar time. A movie or a good book at the same time might just be ok. Ideally the cigar time is spent with fellow enthusiasts!

The camera is a Samsung ES25. Cost me all of $70 LOL. I switch it to macro for the cigar shots. Amazing value, and it runs on rechargeable AAs. I do plan to get a DSLR in time, tend to favour Canon as that has been a great film SLR for me. But while the little Samsung is running ok its not too urgent

[#2 man]

Thanks for that review and great photo

[cigarconnoisseur]

Great review, I couldn't have said it better myself. The #2 is by far one of my most favoured cigar, it's taste, length, appearance and aroma are very arousing. Keep up the good work Prominentes!

[SIn]

Spectacular review! And I do have to agree with you, cigars promote thought for me as well. I do enjoy a good smoke while writing. Thanks!

[CigarGuy87]

I am looking forward to smoking my Monte #2, I got it a few months back and it is from 2006. Any word on the optimal age for these?