Montecristo No. 2 Review

[nikesupremedunk]

Before I start my review, I want to say I had sort of high expectations for this cigar because it is my very first CC experience and I've heard so many good things about it. Also, being that I received it yesterday, I only left it in the humi for about 24 hours so it probably wasn't going to be as good as a nicely aged one. (Nov 11 date)

I must say the cigar felt very nice in my hand in terms of size and construction. Wasn't the best I've seen, but it sure wasn't anywhere near bad. Pre-lit draw was great, and it tasted like cocoa. I had a feeling this was going to be a good smoke, so I proceeded to light it.

The first couple of draws, I was in love. Gave me that toasted rich flavor and absolutely no hints of bitterness or harshness. I could barely feel the smoke in my mouth, just pure flavor. I thought to myself, wow, so this is why everyone loves CC's so much. My only complain was that after I lit it, the draw was a bit more restricted, but I left my cutter at home so I couldn't make the cut bigger to help the draw. However, about 1/2" down, and I noticed I was getting less and less draw, and I had to put in more effort. This is when I realized that the cigar was burning only one 1/2 and it was starting to canoe terribly. I thought eventually, it would even out so I kept trying to puff on it, but it just kept getting worse and worse.

I used a match to burn off the unburned wrapper, ashed it, and lit it up again. There was a bit more body, and I could taste a bit of unpleasant, sort of ammonia like flavor. Also, I kind of felt like I had to keep working at the cigar to keep it lit because it kind of felt like it was going out and I wasn't getting a lot of smoke. Maybe just another 1/2" to an inch or so and I noticed things started going down hill again.

Canoe'ed again! I tried to burn off the side again and re light it but it just became too much effort now. I couldn't even concentrate on the taste because I was concentrating on keeping it lit and burning evenly. All I remember is that it picked up more body as I kept smoking it, and maybe a hint of bitterness. Eventually, I got tired of it and it wasn't enjoyable anymore so I ended up just tossing it. Actually, it probably stopped being enjoyable after that first 1/2".

Conclusion: I was honestly disappointed. Even the cheap $5 padrons I bought from local B&M burned much more consistently and evenly throughout the whole way. After that first 1/2" which was really good, it was pretty much all down hill from there. Now this might all be due to just smoking the cigar too early, but would it cause the cigar to continuously canoe like that? Maybe the cigar I smoked just was constructed bad? The outdoor humidity also was pretty high, could that have affected it? I don't know, but I'll give it some time before trying the next one.

[mk05]

Hey there, too bad on your first cc experience...couple thoughts on the matter:

1) you know you smoked this waaaay too early. give it another 6 months

2) young monte 2 = lots of body, not a lot of taste

3) how fast did you smoke this? could have been pace, or just that the cigar, as you said, was too young and humid

4) how much did you cut

[nikesupremedunk]

LOL yea, I know I smoked it way too early, but hey, that's like telling a kid to open his christmas present in June!

I'm not sure how fast I smoked it, the whole cigar lasted maybe around an hour and change. I do remember puffing on it from time to time to keep it from going out though. I have the cuban crafters cutter, so it cut off a quarter inch in length, giving me a half inch in diameter.

[Jason55555]

nice review looks like dry boxing could have helped here, just smoked one few weeks ago 1h and change seems right so don't think you were too fast.

[phoenix]

Definitely too young. Could also be too wet. Don't feel bad. I have an HQ box from LRE NOV 09 box that are still bucking young broncos

[canadianbeaver]

Sorry your first CC experience was not what you hoped it would be. If it makes any difference, a recent thread actually panned the Monte #2 and lots of folks here do not really like them.

Read some reviews and just choose another marque. So much to love!

edit: Monte 4, Monte edmundo seem to be Matthew's faves

[phoenix]

Lisa raises a valid point. I am not a fan of full-sized Belicosos either. It seems I have a bad experience with these more often than not; however, the shorter format Belicosos (i.e. BBF, PSP1, and Sancho Belicoso) are always in the lineup.

Another thingI've noticed is that right out of the shipping container, all FOH purchases perform flawlessly, but within a few days to a week, they start to go through a characteristic "sick" period as they begin to acclimate to my locale. In my hands, they need anywhere from 6 months to a year to really come back around-- but I'm at 7500 ft and 15% RH which is a pretty hostile environment for cigars, so your mileage may vary....

[celtmick1984]

For what it's worth, my second CC was a Monte No. 2 with about 10 mos of age, JUN 11, and it performed beautifully except for a slightly tight draw and a few touchups after the first half. A wonderfully flavorful and pleasant smoke with a profile that is hard to find in the NC world. Like others, I would suggest giving it some time, maybe reducing your humidity, using an angled cut (increases the surface area of the draw on a piramide), and even dry boxing for a day in advance. Don't give up; there are many good smokes that await.

[ckile2012]

Thats to bad it turned out like that but when you smoke em early there is always that chance. But how can you resist that nice cigar quietly telling you to smoke it.

[nikesupremedunk]

Yea, I agree with everyone. It was too young and probably too moist. It was definitely humid outside as well so that probably caused it.

I also read of the inconsistencies that the Monte 2's suffer from, but my batch looked good so I didn't expect this. I have other marques coming in but since I'm starting out, I don't have any "aged" selections to choose from. I'm tempted to try another one tomorrow maybe during the day when it's sunny, and if that one also fails then I'll just "forget" about them for a couple months and keep trying. =X

[mk05]

But how can you resist that nice cigar quietly telling you to smoke it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HCdRk0o5yk

[SerieT]

thats a bummer that your experience with the monte 2 is bad....when this cigar is "on" its fantastic! hopefully the next one will be better!