Upmann 46 vs Montecristo No. 3

[Partmonte]

Hi all, great community you have here. 

I've been smoking Cubans since the early 2000s because both my dad and uncles were life long smokers. Over the years i've gravitated more towards fatter vitolas which some of my favourites being the Partagas E2, Trinidad Esmeralda, Upmann No2 and Monte No2. I have a pretty big selection on from both sides of the spectrum ie: shorter and longer smokes. Some of my fav shorter smokes are the Upmann Half Corona, Partagas Shorts and Por Larranaga Petit Coronas. I'm now looking for a corona size yet don't have much experience with them. I can get a great price on a box for both the Upmann 46 and Monte No. 3. 

I know this is all up to personal taste but try to convince me one way or the other. 

[mrmessy]

Very different flavor profiles. I think you need to decide what you lean more towards. For me, i prefer monte. Esp for short term smoke compared to the mag46. That just needs a lot of downtime for me.

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[Wailbait]

For me these lie on different ends of the spectrum.  I have had some 12 year old Mag 46 and still felt like they needed time.  They are a bold cigar.  Just about the boldest I have had.  I love Monte 3.  Love the corona size and lament that they are the only regularly produced Corona that Cuba makes.  They are milder and easier to smoke.  I’m not saying that one stick is “better” than the other (yes I am - Monte 3) but I will say they are different.  

[NSXCIGAR]

For a Corona Gorda I would recommend the Hoyo Epi 1 or RA Superiores or of course the Siglo IV. Much more approachable than the Mag 46 which is a cigar that's not for everyone and needs age to really come together. 

Not many Cuban Coronas left but the Monte 3 is pretty reliable and is a classic. Nothing negative to say about it. Obviously the Siglo III is a great option also but as I said, Coronas are few and far between. 

A cigar that's literally in between the Corona Gordas and the Coronas is the Trini Coloniales, and they're smoking well recently. If you're familiar with the Esmeralda I would definitely push you towards more Trinis. 

[JohnS]

(I concur with) Pretty much what @mrmessy and @Wailbait said!

[Partmonte]

Thanks guys, i decided on a box of the Monte 3s. I think what put me over the edge was the fact that someone mentioned being able to enjoy them young so i can at least smoke part of the box while letting the rest age a little. 

I am an Upmann fan and i'm just curious as to the difference between an Upmann Half Corona and the Mag 46. I thought they would be similar in terms of flavour profile and boldness. 

@NSXCIGAR Unfortunately or i could say fortunately, i buy my Cubans locally from a contact and i dont buy from stores therefore my selection is slightly limited. No Cohibas and No Trinidads (i do buy my Trinidad's from a local online retailer but no stock). I can pretty much get my hands on most other Cuban brands. 

[joeypots]

The corona and corona gordas vitolas are really so dissimilar in size that choosing one over the other could have as much to do with the size of the cigar as it has with the cigar's merits. That said, I've found the Mag 46 to be inconsistent and lately Monte Cristo has been very good. 

[Vortigan]

On 9/3/2020 at 5:11 PM, Wailbait said:

For me these lie on different ends of the spectrum.  I have had some 12 year old Mag 46 and still felt like they needed time.  They are a bold cigar.  Just about the boldest I have had.  I love Monte 3.  Love the corona size and lament that they are the only regularly produced Corona that Cuba makes.  They are milder and easier to smoke.  I’m not saying that one stick is “better” than the other (yes I am - Monte 3) but I will say they are different.  

I agree entirely! My current Mag 46 cab for smoking is a 2011 and the last one I smoked, while excellent, left me in no doubt that there's absolutely no need to rush through the remainder.