Monte #2 Question

[PigFish]

There has been some pretty solid advice given so far, but much of that advice relies on the premise that there is something good about your cigars in the first place.

It pains me to watch people who know Cuban cigars, to blame themselves rather than the product. While I am not saying you got crap cigars, you certainly got two crappy ones! What is wrong with saying that?

The M-2 is one of the most produced cigars in the catalogue and when people are rolling to make a quota you can expect some failure. Even if the construction is technically flawless, meaning the right amount of the right tobacco in the right place, the tobacco itself might be flawed.

If you told me that cigar was bitter, acrid or harsh I could say that you smoked a cigar with too much water in it. But a flavorless cigar is the result of the manufacturer. This is not your fault.

I once had a box of LGC Sabrosos. You guys may not be familiar with these. This box was absolutely tasteless. I kept those cigars and smoked them over a 10 year period and never got a lick of enjoyment out of one of them. A dead cigar is a dead cigar and you could die waiting for it to be anything more. The good news is that all the cigars in your box are likely not off the same rollers table and that might prove to make the rest of your cigars a better experience. A 20 to 30 percent failure in a cigar produced in the numbers of the M-2 would not be out of the question in my mind. You should see how awful they used to be!!! You got some crappy cigars. It happens. It happens more, when they are carelessly overproduced.

It was not until '06 that I even considered owning the M-2 again. I gave up on them for several years as they were just a waste of my money. There are ebbs and flows in the cigar world. It happens.

Cheers. -the Pig

[mk05]

...

It pains me to watch people who know Cuban cigars, to blame themselves rather than the product. While I am not saying you got crap cigars, you certainly got two crappy ones! What is wrong with saying that?

The M-2 is one of the most produced cigars in the catalogue and when people are rolling to make a quota you can expect some failure. Even if the construction is technically flawless, meaning the right amount of the right tobacco in the right place, the tobacco itself might be flawed...

I once had a box of LGC Sabrosos. You guys may not be familiar with these. This box was absolutely tasteless...

It was not until '06 that I even considered owning the M-2 again. I gave up on them for several years as they were just a waste of my money. There are ebbs and flows in the cigar world. It happens.

Cheers. -the Pig

I concur. Whatever the weight of my opinion is, I believe it is not worth buying the M2s purely due to these reasons:

Overproduction. The most faked cigar in the world. Too many people wondering what the hype is. And most of all, those who have smoked the pre-00 know - that the current M2s don't hold a bleep-in candle to the former.

The older Monte 2s (1979, 1982, 1986 personally) were incredibly rich and strong. Made you sit down and stay there. Felt like your entire mouth was coated in chocolate oil - if there is such a thing - and you knew with a smile on your face, at that point in time, that it was the best cigar ever made.

These M2s I've tried from 04, 07, 08, 09, are really like kiddy pool versions. And Christ, statistically, 1/2 of them are terrible, 1/4 are smoke-able, and the other 1/4 are ok, making you feel like you're missing out on the real deal somewhere out there. I've heard several gentlemen say the recent '11s remind them of the old vintages, but I seriously doubt it (personally). However, HSA has done a decent job focusing on the core products in the last 2 years...

Honestly, do yourself a favor and get some Monte Especiales #1, and #2. They're really the only Monte's worth smoking. Then again, don't, since I won't be able to find them anywhere.

If you must, try the #3. It has the core flavors the old M2 used to have, without the power aspect. And no one really smokes it, so they've been pretty decent. 08 and 09 were good years.

[jedipastor]

I'd had quite a few flavorless Cubans. I think it just means they are in a "dull period," or whatever. Not sick, just not good. More age never seems to hurt!

[Dbone]

Yeah, a lot of M2's, D4's, CoRo, M4's are made... some year round. And for that reason I'll only buy said cigars from Rob. If anyone knows what makes a great M2, or even what makes for a crappy M2... Robs that man. That being said, not all cigars will be 92 pointers. Best advice which already has been said, give them a few months to relax. Try them again in July.

[partifan]

M2 is a cigar I've tried to like, since it is a classic cigar, but I just haven't had one that makes me impressed. The Monte GE takes flavors from the 2 and amps them, and with recent price drops on the GE, stock up since it is a fine cigar. You'll get chocolate, wood, coffee, and the only other monte that has been as flavorful for me is the especiale