some thoughts on the Montecristo Linea 1935 Leyenda.

[Ken Gargett]

with apols for any spoilers re our forthcoming vid, some thoughts on the Leyenda. 

and i did not come up with the headline! 

 

https://quillandpad.com/2018/05/16/montecristo-linea-1935-leyenda-cigar-the-closest-thing-to-the-second-coming/

[Fugu]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Ken!

The history bit you didn't get right though (not debating the cigar here...). The brand had not been developed at H. Upmann (as is admittedly quite often misreported).

While there are different legends about the origin of the naming - just to be a wee bit further nitpicking - the novel's English title's spelling is Monte Cristo (original Monte-Cristo).

Otherwise a very nice report (how much did they pay you?.... haha )

[Ken Gargett]

Just now, Fugu said:

Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Ken!

The history bit you didn't get right though (not debating the cigar here...). The brand had not been developed at H. Upmann (as is admittedly quite often misreported).

While there are different legends about the origin of the naming - just to be a wee bit further nitpicking - the Novel's English title's spelling is Monte Cristo (original Monte-Cristo).

Otherwise a very nice report (how much did they pay you?.... haha )

no one ever pays enough!

yes, no issue with the original naming as you put it, but i'd still argue that the novel is the source whatever the spelling.

ta re the development. i was surprised when i read that but it came from the info i could glean from havana itself. not sure what they gain from perpetrating that if not correct - that said, i am not doubting you for a second. i simply don't know. just went with what i could find. perhaps time i went back and read a lot of that stuff one consumes when the interest first strikes! 

[Fugu]

Had been created by Alonso Menéndez in 1935 when he newly owned the Particulares factory. Monte had then been such a huge success that they were able to buy out the at that time suffering H. Upmann factory (from J. Frankau). Monte production was then immediately moved there. MRN is giving an account, and I remember Jemma Freeman had some article about it in CA a while back (will check if I have a copy), since Hunter Morris & Co was one of the first importers of Montecristo. There had been an interesting letter posted with the launch of the 80th anniversary. Will see if I can track it down.

Edit: Cigar Journal was it... Here is the article, including the interesting original letter with the exclusive distribution contract between Particulares SA (Menéndez) and John Hunter, Morris & Elkan Ltd.

https://www.cigarjournal.com/two-new-havana-cigar-releases-into-the-uk-market/

[JohnS]

Great article there Ken. That's quite some headline though, sure to garner attention.

I always though that the peculiar feature of the Montecristo brand, founded in 1935, is how it was so successful and how it achieved this success early on too. After all, it was the Pre-Revolution era, and there were a lot more than the 27 brands around that we know today.

[TheMonk]

Very nice job, Ken! Haven't tried these as my box is still settling, but hope to crack it open soon.