Stanislaw Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 The idea of the Cigar Fight Club came to life when I found myself unable to enjoy cigars as often as I would like (this winter has been ridiculous here in New York) and I began carrying multiple cigars in the event I would have a small window of time to enjoy even one if not two. Well, a lot of those moments did allow me the chance to smoke two cigars and I found myself debating (with myself!) as to which was the more enjoyable smoke. So here we are and I would love to see fellow FoH'ers trying this out for themselves and posting their own CFC reviews, it actually is a challenging and fun experience... dare anyone to attempt to smoke two Double Coronas! so, here we go, my first CFC review: 2013 LTB April Monte Petit Edmundo vs. 2008 EMA August Por Larranaga Belicosos Extra Up first: The Monte PE After a meeting with some friends over drinks on 38th street and 8th avenue, I bid farewell to them and decided to take advantage of the warm(er) weather in Manhattan and enjoy the Monte as I strolled around town. Upon lighting this pudgy runt of a stick I was greeted with a tremendous spice, something I would expect from a young Partagas Serie D no.4. I wished I had a gin and tonic or even water to combat the surprising strength the first third had on my taste buds but wow, what a start. As it mellowed out I was hit by a strong earth taste; literally, it tasted of dirt but not in an unappealing way. I was shocked as this was something I've read in other reviews but never experienced for myself. The aggression of the flavors began to calm down and the montecristo flavors settled in. For a young cigar I was blessed with a smoke I could only compare to a well aged cigar, the complexity was there, the monte flavors were there, the smoke was plenty and the scent emitted from this cigar got the attention of passers by. A man actually stopped at the intersection to tell me that the cigar smelled wonderful. And a few blocks later a young woman halted her conversation with another man to tell me that she loved the smell of the cigar. I seem to always get comments on the scent of a montecristo. New Yorkers are quite opinionated. I found myself slowing my walk. People began to pass me on the streets and I know I have a good cigar when I actually adhere to the traffic lights and don't blindly cross like all new yorker's do. I was savoring this cigar and tried my best to drag it out and enjoy it all the way to 59th street. Alas, it wasn't to be, this cigar began to burn my fingers and I was forced to abandon it at the corner of 55th and 3rd avenue. The remaining four blocks to the train were lonely and dull, I became the "weird guy smelling his hand" as I walked towards the subway. I've had a lot of Monte PE's, this one was the best of them all. A promising omen because this was the first from a PE box I received from the Czar (only PE!) and I strongly considered selling all my non-Monte boxes for the opportunity to smoke more like this. Then I quickly realized that we're talking about Montecristo and let that idea vanish from my mind. I purchased a bottle of water to cleanse my pallet and boarded the train for Astoria. And in this corner: Por Larranaga Belicosos Extra I love belicosos cigars and I love PL's, so I was excited to light this one as I stepped off the train platform to see if this cigar could hold its own against a stellar miniature Monte. I try to keep as much of the taper on the head as possible, just my preference. So I clip just less than 1/4 of an inch and it lights easily and burns perfectly. Whereas the PE started aggressively, this one began smooth, so smooth.... so, so smooth. Initial puffs immediately reminded me of setting foot in a carnival, where scents of roasting caramalized nuts mingle with cotton candy and smoked sausage, the fragrance and flavors from this cigar made me realize how -although a novice could enjoy this particular smoke- this is a true connoissur's cigar. With so many delicate flavors from this blend, things could easily slip past if you aren't paying attention. The sweetness subsides and I begin to taste a floury dough flavor with melted butter. How can such flavors exist in a rolled up stick of tobacco? Amazing stuff. From there it settles into a floral, botanical perfume as if walking past a flower stand in spring time and I'm somewhat put off and I miss the sweetness. From there it didn't change much and it felt like watching a fighter start strong but eventually become overwhelmed by his opponent. It gave a good fight and on any other day I would be writing rave reviews. But today, The PL fell victim to a pint sized brute. For this round, the Monte Petit Edmundo defeated the PL Belicosos Extra. Oh, what a fight it was. So, what do you think? Are you ready to take the challenge?? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shlomo Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Nice reviews. Thanks for sharing. How I wish I had 3 hours to smoke 2 cigars! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PapaDisco Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Halfway through round 1 S'law. Will report soon . . . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanislaw Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 Nice reviews. Thanks for sharing. How I wish I had 3 hours to smoke 2 cigars! I hear ya, schlomo..... It helps that I'm in between jobs at the moment... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Excellent review concept! I look forward to the future battles! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fabes Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Excellent review concept! I look forward to the future battles! I agree. This was a cool review. Thanks for doing it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbibby Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Cool to see this again! I enjoyed when CA used to do this as a video review! Can't wait to see more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carts Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Would be cool to try this out once it gets warmer outside, Thanks for posting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puromaniac Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Nice post. Weird guy smelling hand. Who hasn't been there? Who's the next challenger? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillys Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Loved the review, will have to try the CFC out soon, do you have a reigning champ thing going too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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