What do you think is smoking good right now?

[DrStogie]

Greeting and Merry Christmas.

I haven't posted here for quite some time, but I thought I'd check in. I'm mostly curious about your opinions on what's smoking good right now. My motives are strictly curiosity as I don't seem to have the payroll to afford any new boxes right now. 

For me personally and from my limited collection and the few sticks I'm actually smoking right now, por larranaga pcs, por larranaga mcs, montecristo 3s, and montecristo especial no. 2s are smoking great. The box dates on those range from '19-'21. Though I can't afford boxes at the moment, I'm looking forward to visiting a cuban friend of mine and cigar bar owner to try a few single sticks of his. 

In addition to getting your thoughts on what's good now, a cigar I'd much like to discuss again is the montecristo especial no. 2. I am halfway through my first box from an early '21 box date I believe (I don't care to check because I've already opened the humidor today and don't want to open it just to check dates). At this point, I've resolved to not touch a stick for another couple years and then to only have a few from that box sparingly; I'd like to see five or so sticks form this box at 8-10 years because they're just that good. 

I just had the last of the top half of the box this morning and it compelled me to bring them up here. Generally, I am thoroughly impressed with this cigar. It instantly became one of my favorites. It's probably one of the best things out there for the price point and I strongly recommend that smokers with no taste for montecristos try these ones because it's hard to imagine a good box can't change one's mind. The construction of mine did vary considerably, which can largely be chalked up to their youth, but even so, when they were loose in draw, they were never too. loose. Some were too tight, for sure, like trying to smoke a branch, but I'll get to that later. A few burned a little unevenly at times, but they could easily be corrected and the only defects in flavor seemed to stem from wonky burning and nothing more, the flavor would immediately get right back in line when corrected.

There was one stick that had probably the tightest draw of a cigar I have ever had, which was pretty disappointing, but that was literally the only problem with it. The flavors of this thing... good God, they were SO good. It wasn't the most "complex" specimen in terms of evolution; it was consistent throughout, but that was by no means a bad thing. It had this ludicrously good core of sweet milk chocolate bar, leather, slight baking spice, and cedar wood. Phenomenally vivid flavors with superlative, creamy mouth feel and smoke. That's just the thing though, there wasn't much smoke, hardly any. That was very frustrating, but at the same time, I attribute that profound tightness to its ability to deliver decadent flavors unspoiled by hotness even at its extremely young age. Unhesitatingly, I'd award it a 95, knowing full well that if the draw and smoke output were adequate, it would have been, I shit you not, a 100 point cigar. It just produced waves upon waves of that flagship Cuban tobacco sweetness, a very natural sweetness owing to superior cultivation and blending. I had another few from this box that weren't quite so good, but close, including the one I had today and certainly no stick under 90. 

All cigars from this box thus far exhibited preeminent aging potential. I love everything about these sticks, the vitola, the blend, the elegance. If I had the coin for it, I would splurge on several boxes of these to fill the humidor so I could smoke them young and put others away for years to come. I think it really says a lot about this cigar that the only flaws seem to stem from construction faults, which all in all, aren't even that bad especially considering we're talking about relatively young cigars. The only shame is that Habanos, as I'm sure we're all aware, does not reserve sticks like this strictly for expert rollers. The quality of tobacco, wrapper, and blending is clearly on point. Coupled with equally masterful rolling, they'd have a cracker of a cigar to be reckoned with. If they were rolled as well as everything else was done with these cigars, I have no doubt that, even fresh out of the box, there would be consistently high marking cigars on the regular. Magnificent. 

 

[williamthewolf]

Had great ‘21 Monte PE’s and D4’s. And Dip 2’s and Monte 4’a aren’t bad either from ‘21.


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[JohnS]

I concur that recent Partagas Serie D No.4 has been consistently outstanding, as stated in the recent FoH Cuban Top 20 for 2022 thread...

In regards to Montecristo options, the Montecristo No.3, No.4 and No.2 are hovering around the middle in that list cited above.

To supplement your Habanos smoking, @DrStogie, and since you like the Montecristo Especiales No.2, why not think about acquiring the 2021 DesNudos N1 Colorado Rosado Lancero? This was blended to replicate the Montecristo Especial/Trinidad Fundadores and may well be in your 'wheelhouse'.

[MrBirdman]

5 hours ago, DrStogie said:

There was one stick that had probably the tightest draw of a cigar I have ever had, which was pretty disappointing, but that was literally the only problem with it. The flavors of this thing... good God, they were SO good.

I’ve had this experience too - sometimes narrow Cubans with very tight draws deliver the absolute pinnacle for that cigar, probably because it naturally moderates how hot the burn can get (Especially important on Especial 2s). As long as smoke production is good, I don’t mind it at all.

To my palate both Especials are among the few montes that do well with extended aging. Although I can’t agree about their value. They used to be a good value. Not anymore, even compared to HSA’s own portfolio. Actually just vacc’d one of my older boxes.

[westg]

Smoke the No 2 Espi  now if they are as good as you say. My experience with aging Monte is not great and I have far too many. For me 12 to 18 months for most Monte and they are perfect especially the Monte 2 . 

Upmann Connie No 2 are terrific atm . So good across several boxes .

[joeypots]

What can I get that’s smoking good right now? That’s the question. I think the Partagas D4 is about the best regular production cigar to smoke young. They’ve been stellar lately. If you can get a good box (try here) let them rest and acclimate and have at them. One of the real problems with Cuban cigars is that they can be very moist when they get to us never mind the jet lag they from which they might suffer. I’ve smoked too many fresh Cuban cigars that should have rested for 90 days followed by a dry box at 62%RH for a few days. Now more than ever given price increases a little care is well worth the results. 

[foursite12]

Yeah, I share the OP's love for the Monte Especial #2 and I think the 19-21 boxes are exceptional. Unfortunately, pricing has become an issue and I think the advice from @JohnS is solid. Even though the Nudies Carlota is the same size profile as the Monte, the flavor profile of the Nudies Lanceros is closer to the Monte than the Carlota, even though a longer cigar. The Lanceros is noticeably smoother and more nuanced, while the Carlota slaps you around a bit. Just as you experienced a flavorful experience with the tight example, I should tell you that the Nudies Lanceros absolutely reward a slow and easy smoker. It makes a world of difference and allows for the superb blend engineering to be fully experienced..