URO JUL 08 Montecristo No. 2 - what happened?!?!

[Philc2001]

 

As I was upgrading my MacBook Pro to Mojave, I decided to torch this MC #2 from the Legendary group buy about 3 years ago.

 

I’m a bit of a Montecristo fan boy, favoring in order of preference #1, 3, 4, esp.#2 and #5. I seldom smoke #2s, but I like to keep a few around, and I have 3 remaining from a 2005 GKI box I last purchased around 2007. The GKI 2005 have been very good, I ranked almost all around 90/100. So I was expecting something in that range from this Legendary sample.

 

For pairing I poured 2 fingers of Talisker Storm scotch whisky over 3 cubes, and put a bottle of Leffe Belgian Blonde Abbey ale on deck as a chaser. These are a bit bold, but a typical staple in my smoking repertoire.

 

For reference my humidor is kept around 63-64RH.

 

This URO/08 had a very easy draw, not a bad thing, but slightly too loose, and it felt a tiny bit under-filled, but reasonable. Upon lighting it started out very tasteless, no body, and very mild. Smoke volume was good but taste was simply absent. As I smoked the first third it improved slightly, but remained very flavorless. Burn needed a slight touch up, and I found myself slightly impatient waiting for some taste to develop. I was starting to smoke a bit fast to get more taste and had to remind myself to slow down.

 

Second third, a slight bitterness appeared, and a little earthiness materialized, but flavor remained muted. Burn took a turn for the worse and required more aggressive touch ups, although smoke volume remained substantial. Little change by the halfway point. At this point I started wondering why this iconic legendary vitola was so flavorless. Is it this particular stick, this URO code, or what?

 

Into the last third, slight bitterness was still evident, and slight hints of spice and baked bread were starting to emerge in the backdrop, yet the flavor was still very underwhelming. Near the last quarter or so, body amped up, and flavor came in stronger but somewhat rough and edgy.

 

This was certainly uncharacteristic of Monte #2 from previous experience. I was quite underwhelmed by this cigar. I’ll rate it a 70, just barely worth smoking. Is this the current state of MC#2?

 

I’d like to add this is in no way a slam or screed against the legendary group buy, I have enjoyed the fruits of that buy, and remain very thankful for the opportunity and for the work of the team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bagman]

Smoking thru a 2013 box now.  Same as last year.  They had so much more flavor last year.  Still good, but for me, it was better at 5 years.  It could be just a so-so box as well.  I have one more box of the 2013 for next year that I vacuum sealed.  Will be interesting to see how that worked out.

[SCgarman]

I also have had very bad under filled Monte 2s. Prefer the Monte 4 hands down. Maybe luck, but never had a bad box yet. Smoking a MUO 14 box from El Laguito. 

As far as pyramides,  the Upmann 2 beats out the Monte hands down. 

[CaptainQuintero]

 They're funny sticks, I've never had a good one in over a decade of smoking Cubans, but people will get amazing ones so it must just be bad luck on my part. I think the variances are huge with production of them being so high

[Philc2001]

I can't really judge by one example, I am optimistic in believing this was likely an exception rather than the norm, but I don't anticipate seeking out any more MC#2 any time soon. I favor skinnies, under 46 and preferably under 42, so pyramids are rarely on the menu anyway. The MC#2 seems to have a legendary status, and although I seldom smoke pyramids I have had some much better than this one. I hope for the sake of those who prefer the pyramids that they have a better experience.