How long to age Monte 2's?

[HoyoFan]

 

Hey guys have a box of 10 from May '15 and I'm getting the itch to light one. I was curious what kind of aging time have you guys seen that provides some of the great Monte flavors?

Thanks!

 

[mygar]

1 hour ago, PadronFan said:

 

Hey guys have a box of 10 from May '15 and I'm getting the itch to light one. I was curious what kind of aging time have you guys seen that provides some of the great Monte flavors?

Thanks!

 

Lol just smoke one man

[Mattb82]

2-3 years on a monte 2 is perfect for me. Has the nice expresso/chocolate hit with a twang. I've also had 08s recently that taste like nestle quick. 

[Duffer]

Ah, Monte 2!  One of my favorites.  How long to age is obviously a subjective topic, so there is no right answer.  For my preference, I judge by the actual examples.  For a Dark, Oily wrapper I like to let them sleep for 5 years minimum.  I currently have a few of these beginning their 2nd year of rest.  The lighter wrappers I find are ready to go in a year (maybe less) from the box date.  Again, just my opinion.

[torsion]

 

Hey guys have a box of 10 from May '15 and I'm getting the itch to light one. I was curious what kind of aging time have you guys seen that provides some of the great Monte flavors?

Thanks!

 

Burn them!!


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[planetary]

I added an "Aging Potential" column to the FOH.tv video reviews tracking spreadsheet so I could record what Rob, Ken and gang thought about the that topic for the various cigars they smoked.

For this 2010 Monty 2 review of an 11 month-old stick which they rated 91-92, the notes (paraphrasing the guys) say: "Test every 3 months. Maybe it improves after a year. Would not go for 5-10 years, since it likely only improves 5-10% over that period of time." 

[Philc2001]

I haven't had any young ones, but the 2015 Monte #1's are smoking nicely. Go ahead and dig in. 

[Jimmy_jack]

2 days. then i smoke them on a binge

[mrretrohale]

Should've smoothed out over two years. Wouldn't hurt trying now.


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[polarbear]

Smoke one every 6 months from now until you feel like it gave you a religious experience

Then you'll have your answer

[David88]

If they're from May 15 I assume you have had them for at least a few months. As Polarbear said, try one now, then again every 6 months until they make the heavens align. This is the only problem with 10 count boxes in my opinion, when a box becomes perfect you may only have a few left!

[GavLew79]

4 hours ago, Duffer said:

Ah, Monte 2!  One of my favorites.  How long to age is obviously a subjective topic, so there is no right answer.  For my preference, I judge by the actual examples.  For a Dark, Oily wrapper I like to let them sleep for 5 years minimum.  I currently have a few of these beginning their 2nd year of rest.  The lighter wrappers I find are ready to go in a year (maybe less) from the box date.  Again, just my opinion.

What are they like after 5 years? You say minimum, how old was your oldest? I've never been able to keep my hands off them for that long so I'm curious...

[Duffer]

5 hours ago, GavLew79 said:

What are they like after 5 years? You say minimum, how old was your oldest? I've never been able to keep my hands off them for that long so I'm curious...

The rich, dark, oily wrappers on the Monte 2 for me, while tasty, are quite strong when young.  I have found these types to mellow quite a bit over time.  Aged ones hit me like a relaxing smooth caffe mocha.  Having recently had to give up cigars for a number of years, I was luckily forced into aging some cigars including quite a few Monte 2s.  

In the past year I've tried to purchase different quality from Rob of my favorite cigars (RyJ Churchill, Monte 2, BBF).  I decide what to age by the cigars appearance.  Works for me as I have supply to smoke while the others age.  

Far be it for me to tell anyone else what to do, certainly not my style, I just thought I'd give my $.02.  And I love the Monte 2.

Enjoy your CCs,

JB

[PigFish]

Smoke one and tell us!

If good smoke another! If good smoke another. Continue until there a no longer good ones to smoke.

Congratulations, you are now an expert on the Monte 2...! -LOL

No one can tell you if your cigars are good my friend. That is all up to you!

Of course you could send out a few and ask for opinions? Otherwise we are all guessing, just like you!

Cheers!

-Piggy

[Dave001]

i recently opened a box from march 2010 and it smelled like a box of chocolates it was just wonderful

[GavLew79]

9 hours ago, Duffer said:

Far be it for me to tell anyone else what to do, certainly not my style, I just thought I'd give my $.02.  And I love the Monte 2.

Enjoy your CCs,

JB

Yeah I get that fella and wasn't insinuating otherwise. I am trying to ascertain at what point you think they are best? Is it 5, 7 or 15 years? How many have you had? What years would you recommend?

Cheers

[Duffer]

59 minutes ago, GavLew79 said:

Yeah I get that fella and wasn't insinuating otherwise. I am trying to ascertain at what point you think they are best? Is it 5, 7 or 15 years? How many have you had? What years would you recommend?

Cheers

Hard for me to answer specific years.  Was away from cigars due to health for roughly 8 years.  The loose Monte 2s I've been smoking are most likely from 2003-2006.  I have never been a keeper of that data, I draw this conclusion from the fact that the 2 boxes of cigars I still have from those days are BBF 03 and RASS 04.  Hard for me to say how many Monte 2s I've had; but recently aged over 10 years, roughly 15 and they were all really enjoyable.  Smooth cocoa.

[BellevilleMXZ]

19 hours ago, Jimmy_jack said:

2 days. then i smoke them on a binge

Best reply !

 

[HoyoFan]

Happy to report fellas that they're ready and they're fantastic. Lots of cream and cocoa. Sitting enjoying the end of this one.

[hoffmr3]

10 minutes ago, PadronFan said:

Happy to report fellas that they're ready and they're fantastic. Lots of cream and cocoa. Sitting enjoying the end of this one.

Perfect answer

[Dmpotocek]

I've got a box of May 15 #2. They're really starting to get good. I have to pace myself or I'd blast through them in a few weeks


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[ehdg]

Personally I'd try one n then put them down for at least 10 years.  The older the better they get if stored properly.

[GavLew79]

8 hours ago, Duffer said:

Hard for me to answer specific years.  Was away from cigars due to health for roughly 8 years.  The loose Monte 2s I've been smoking are most likely from 2003-2006.  I have never been a keeper of that data, I draw this conclusion from the fact that the 2 boxes of cigars I still have from those days are BBF 03 and RASS 04.  Hard for me to say how many Monte 2s I've had; but recently aged over 10 years, roughly 15 and they were all really enjoyable.  Smooth cocoa.

You don't have to keep mentioning your health, no one is judging you for time spent away due to health and I hope things are better for you now.

The OP was in search of solid intel on aged Monte 2s. I then piped-in as I was curious as to how much better they could be, than say 2-3 years. You stated a minimum of 5 years was what you preferred...

...but it seems to transpire that the number of boxes of Monte 2 that you have aged and smoked, with dark wrappers, that you like to age for a minimum of 5 years, is exactly zero?

Surely we're all keepers of "this data"?  I'm not afraid or ashamed to say I smoked through a 10 count of PMS AGO 14 and I'm nearly through a 25 box of PMS JUN 14 from our host. I can't imagine them getting better but I did ask in the vein hope you would live up to your self-professed love of dark wrapper ones aged to a minimum of 5 years. 

Oh well, I guess this is an internet forum after all and I won't find salvation. 

Enjoy your Monte 2s and others in good health mate. No harm, no foul...but I'm bowing out. 

[Kbb]

Well......that escalated quickly.

[BrightonCorgi]

On 3/15/2017 at 8:46 PM, PadronFan said:

 

Hey guys have a box of 10 from May '15 and I'm getting the itch to light one. I was curious what kind of aging time have you guys seen that provides some of the great Monte flavors?

Thanks!

 

I know someone off loading 10 count boxes of Monte 2's (not me) from like 2005 or maybe older if you are in the US...  Would be good way to see how they smoke aged. Granted I have read the blend has changed since then?