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Posted

Well, I was supposed to do this review Saturday night with a top shelf rum but being winter, it was such a nice sunny day I didnt want to review the Monte in the cold. Instead, I tried it out after lunch completely sober tongue.png

After smoking 9 non cubans over the past week, I have been dying to find out how real cubans compare. I tried not to build it up too much in my mind to avoid disappointment but my expectations were high.

The day has finally come.

Montecristo No. 2

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First impression of this cigar is quality from the start. It feels quite heavy in my hand and smelles like quality tobacco with a deep almost cow dung like smell that is not off putting.

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Upon roasting the tip it gave off a very pleasing scent. The first few puffs were nothing to write home about and I thought, yep, I am just another victim of marketing, its just a cigar.

After the first third however, that cynical thought changed into, this is really enjoyable, the best Saturday afternoon I've had in a while and was really starting to get into it.

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By the final third I was really impressed. Its hard to explain but this cigar didnt give me any kind of weird physical feelings that the non cubans gave me. Just really pleasant all the way down. Another good thing was that it didnt dry my mouth out and I didnt need to keep sipping a drink while smoking which increased the enjoyment.

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The final third was as enjoyable as the rest, only with thicker smoke. I had no burn issues all the way to the end.

One thing I did notice with this cigar that I didnt notice with the others was the really nice after taste that lingered for about half an hour. It was during this time I think i first really understood what the taste thing is all about. Definite earthy flavour in my mouth that I didnt ruin with soda or coffee or food. I didnt notice any flavours in the other cigars. This could be because I really tried to savour this one and by doing so, I gave my mouth a chance to taste.

I can see why this is cigar of the year, totally faultless.

I am glad I experimented with non cubans to get my mind around the differences.

There is something natural and agricultural about this cuban that i didnt get from the others. The others almost seemed commercial and fast foodish. Hard to explain.

My final thoughts about all my smoking is that there are really good non cubans but they cost the same in Australia as cubans. If it was a choice between smoking cheap non cubans or being a non smoker, I would be a non smoker. I see no reason to smoke non cubans from here on in.

I realize that I may run into consistency issues, young tobacco issues, fakes and fraud issues and blocked cigars with my cubans but I think that is just the price you pay for smoking the best.

Looking forward to see how cohibas and bolivars compare to the monte. I feel like I am finally closing in on my cigar of choice. If the others arent as good as this, I will stock monte 2s in bulk for life.

This really is a no hype cigar. Just pure quality, natural mother earth goodness. tongue.png

  • Like 1
Posted

You are now official lost! From now on CCs will become your addiction. Enjoy!

Best,

Michel

Posted

Congratulation on your experiment and the outcome for you.

Continue to explore the CC world, you may be surprised what is in there for you. :)

Posted

Nice work smile.png

I do feel there is an underlying sense of "smoothness" / core characteristics that tie Cuban cigars together and make them a bit unique when compared with cigars produced elsewhere. While I personally think blending plays a part in some of what you've experienced with NCs, I don't think soil / terroir can be dismissed.

Andy provided this great vid which you might find of interest:

Link

Posted

Congrats on your first Cuban cigar experience. Monte #2s are one of the best perfect10.gif .

There are other CCs that are excellent but Monte #2s been great lately, and you may want to keep smoking what you like..

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