AlBaron Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 Disclaimer: the purchase in question occurred prior to my discovery of this forum/vendor Gents, my very first CC purchase online ended up being a few 3 and 5 packs, among which I got a 3pack of Montecristo #2. After keeping them in my humidor for about a month (70F - 65%), I lit my very first CC about 20-30 min ago. Impressions so far: - not as strong/full flavored as some of my favourite NCs (I'm a fan of Arturo Fuente cigars, everything from Anejo to Short Story) - very creamy - pretty interesting flavor profile, but I'm a noob, so not quite ready to describe what I'm picking up, outside of a lot of cream and probably milk chocolate - I caught myself thinking that its way weaker than what I'm used to, yet I'm not upset . One thing that bugs me a little and what caused the title of this post - The ash seems to just fall off. I mean, staying in the ashtray, no sudden movements - I can't keep it past 1 inch. Is that normal? I was told by a few BOTL that the ability to keep the ash was one of the signs of a good cigar... Please tell me that I'm a "full of it paranoic" and should just relax and enjoy a great cigar?! Alex
Smallclub Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 You're full of it paranoid and should just relax and enjoy a great cigar. 4
riazp Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 NC's tend to be complete spice bombs and sometimes too overpowering. 1
wabashcr Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 I'm still very much new to CCs myself, but I can tell you a couple things. First, there's no way anyone here will be able to tell you if your cigar is real or not with that info. Knowing the source would help, although I wouldn't share that here. Seeing pictures would help. But even still, it may be impossible to tell. As for the ash, I believe that's more a function of how the cigar was rolled. It's certainly possible to have CCs that don't hold ash. I also know from my short time here that even legit Monte 2s vary wildly in terms of quality. If it's a grey market Monte 2, it may be real, but that doesn't make it a good cigar. I also know CCs tend to not be as strong as NCs, and generally speaking are more balanced and complex, rather than strong. Chances are your cigar is real, and if you enjoy it, I wouldn't even have a second thought about it. 1
AlBaron Posted February 11, 2015 Author Posted February 11, 2015 Geez, you guys are so helpful... I kid, I kid Anyhow, i'm on to the 3rd 3rd (did I say it right?) and still enjoying it very much. Noticing that I'm not that much concerned about the lack of the strength and the amount of smoke, but instead really trying to break down the flavors I'm picking up. It's a good thing, I guess ?
... Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 I refer to it as last third... People usually get better at picking flavours with time and experience. Patience goes a long way 1
CaptainQuintero Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 Just be grateful you've had an enjoyable Monte #2! I've searched for one for going on 9 years now and still never been lucky enough to have a decent one I don't think there is a cigar out there that can vary to such extremes. Or be so unforgiving to even slightly poor construction.
bradbrennan Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 I'd say the Monte 2 is fairly mild...creamy with chocolate, sounds like a good one! There are plenty of cc's waiting for you here with stronger flavor and no question of authenticity, enjoy your journey!
AlBaron Posted February 11, 2015 Author Posted February 11, 2015 Just be grateful you've had an enjoyable Monte #2! I've searched for one for going on 9 years now and still never been lucky enough to have a decent one I don't think there is a cigar out there that can vary to such extremes. Or be so unforgiving to even slightly poor construction. You can't find a Cuban cigar in Murmansk, Russia? I remember growing up in Kiev, and having a "Havana" store right next to my high school. Even in days when crappy russian cigarettes were a deficit - one could always walk in to that store a get a Montecristo for the price of a pack of cigarettes... Have things changed that much since I've left? (Granted, it was 25 years ago) Alex
parabola66 Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 From what I noticed during my exploration of CC's is that they are nothing like NC's. Like Riazp said, NC's are spicebombs. This is not to say that NC's are bad. I do have a bunch of favorite NC's that I love. But what I have come to find between CC and NC is that NC equate strength + spice = quality...(for the most part). CC's from my experience are a lot smoother and equate complex flavours to quality. as for the ash...smoking technique possibly?
Variant2 Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 NC's tend to be complete spice bombs and sometimes too overpowering. I love the full body, full strength spice bombs -- especially during the winter. The CCs may have a less perceived strength to people that are used to smoking the ligero packed NCs . 1
earthson Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 Montecristo are WAY over-produced and the quality varies wildly. Same for Partagas, Cohiba, and any other brands that are high volume movers. The profile sounds close to how I'd describe a Monte #2, although I've usually found them to be strong, rather than mild. Of course, if you're just coming off of NC, you may have been smoking a lot of the ligero-heavy blends. I don't know. 1
CaptainQuintero Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 You can't find a Cuban cigar in Murmansk, Russia? I remember growing up in Kiev, and having a "Havana" store right next to my high school. Even in days when crappy russian cigarettes were a deficit - one could always walk in to that store a get a Montecristo for the price of a pack of cigarettes... Have things changed that much since I've left? (Granted, it was 25 years ago) Alex Sorry, should have said searching for a good one! I still grab a handful of singles each year but just never had one that has been anything other than hot and harsh. I know Rob picks some delicious looking ones but I've all bit given up on the #2 so have never jumped on any of his selection. The PE, #3 and Especial #2 are consistent enough to have taken the Monte places in my rotation. Either they are made to a higher standard or the blends are just very forgiving to variances in quality of tobacco used and construction.
AlBaron Posted February 11, 2015 Author Posted February 11, 2015 Sorry, should have said searching for a good one! I still grab a handful of singles each year but just never had one that has been anything other than hot and harsh. I know Rob picks some delicious looking ones but I've all bit given up on the #2 so have never jumped on any of his selection. The PE, #3 and Especial #2 are consistent enough to have taken the Monte places in my rotation. Either they are made to a higher standard or the blends are just very forgiving to variances in quality of tobacco used and construction. Well, I guess there is only one way to find out. I have ordered a box of #2s from the 24:24 just the other day. Here is hoping that Rob proves you wrong... 1
torm3nt Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 CCs just aren't as full on as NCs, period. What they lack in power they provide in complexity and balance, something I find new-world cigars just can't match, I dunno why. As for Montecristo 2 - I've had one (aged 7 years) that had hints of cream, honey, vanilla and more. Thoroughly enjoyable - whereas a newer one was much more grassy, aroma of hay.etc. Both were incredibly enjoyable, but obviously the aged one was spectacular
Habanos2000 Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 In my opinion the only thing NC's have going for them is strength. They don't enjoy access to the complexity in tobacco that a good Cuban cigar does. So in my conversion from NC to CC I too was expecting something "stronger" but began to appreciate the evolution a truly good cigar provides. Also, I've purchased from other online vendors in the past and while I have not doubts about receiving authentic CC's, the quality that Habanos pumps out is extremely variable and has led to many disappointments. Having an expert like Rob pick my cigars for me has significantly increased my enjoyment of my "hobby". By being on FOH and trying a variety of cigars to start I think you're on the right path to finding cigar nirvana! 1
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