Montecristo No.2 Nov.18 (SRWJul24)

[JoeyBones777]

Ah, the Monte 2. An iconic cigar and one that I have a love/hate relationship with. As some of you know, the best cigar I've smoked to date is a 2012 Monte 2 that I smoked in 2017. Before then and since, I've not had a Monte 2 come close to that incredible experience.

I have a little less than half of this HQ box left. Unfortunately, most of this box has been packed and rolled too tight and this one is no exception. Enter the perfecdraw. I was able to get it to a somewhat smokeable draw.

The flavors are there but smoke output is fairly thin. Cocoa, cream, cookie with light earth and pepper. If this had a good draw and smoke output, it would be fantastic. Attempts to open the draw caused a few cracks that became an issue. Disappointing.

These currently go for $32 fresh! I payed less than half that and I'm still pissed. It's a dirty shame. I decided to change up my rating scale to something similar to Developing Palates because I think their system makes a lot of sense. This one is a 42 (below average). The flavors saved it from being much lower but they weren't rich enough to at least bring it up to average.

[gormag38]

Man I cannot imagine getting half a box of tent pegs at today's prices. Shame you've had to deal with them (regardless of price paid). 

[JoeyBones777]

16 minutes ago, gormag38 said:

Man I cannot imagine getting half a box of tent pegs at today's prices. Shame you've had to deal with them (regardless of price paid). 

Yep. I'm shooting like 75% tight draws so far for this box. Insane! I think I paid around $320 for the box, at the time.😢 I keep my rh at 65%. These are all bad rolls for sure. It sucks because the tobacco quality is good and these would be great if they were rolled properly.

[Chitmo]

1 minute ago, JoeyBones777 said:

Yep. I'm shooting like 75% tight draws so far for this box. Insane! I think I paid around $320 for the box, at the time.😢 I keep my rh at 65%. These are all bad rolls for sure. It sucks because the tobacco quality is good and these would be great if they were rolled properly.

I always do a draw check before attempting to light, if they’re plugged it helps sometimes to toss it in a freezer bag and throw it in the freezer for a few hours. Doesn’t always work but it beats going for the perfect draw immediately, I find that changes the smoking experience using one. 

[JoeyBones777]

1 minute ago, Chitmo said:

I always do a draw check before attempting to light, if they’re plugged it helps sometimes to toss it in a freezer bag and throw it in the freezer for a few hours. Doesn’t always work but it beats going for the perfect draw immediately, I find that changes the smoking experience using one. 

Thanks. I'm sure I'll have opportunity to try this though, I hope I get lucky and the rest of the box smokes like a dream.🤣

[Chitmo]

36 minutes ago, JoeyBones777 said:

Thanks. I'm sure I'll have opportunity to try this though, I hope I get lucky and the rest of the box smokes like a dream.🤣

I’m a smoke/drink less but the best kinda guy, so when they’re misbehaving badly enough I write it off mentally and move on. Can’t enjoy them if you’re mad about the performance. Just part of the CC game unfortunately. 

[RDB]

I had a very similar issue with a Unicos yesterday. So frustrating. Great tobacco, terrible construction.

[sergeihabana]

I have a similar situation with Bolivar Royal Coronas. The second half of the cigar is very tightly curled. The first problematic cigar from a box of 25 pieces (ABR 21). The storage humidity is 69%.

[SCgarman]

Same sorry a$$ construction. Three times the price. Monte 2 are $800usd/box now! And you know what? HSA doesn't care either way. Sorry to hear about construction issues, but is it a surprise? Hell no!

[Redgoldband]

I always do a draw check before attempting to light, if they’re plugged it helps sometimes to toss it in a freezer bag and throw it in the freezer for a few hours. Doesn’t always work but it beats going for the perfect draw immediately, I find that changes the smoking experience using one. 

Can you say more about this method/approach? I have a couple problematic JL1s and am wondering if this could help.


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[Bagman]

1 hour ago, Redgoldband said:

Can you say more about this method/approach? I have a couple problematic JL1s and am wondering if this could help.


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[Chitmo]

1 hour ago, Redgoldband said:

Can you say more about this method/approach? I have a couple problematic JL1s and am wondering if this could help.

It’s pretty simple. Cut the cigar to your preference, check the draw and if it’s plugged simply put it in a freezer bag and throw it in the freezer for several hours.l then check the draw again. Half the time it gets things loose enough to smoke, the other half of the time ends up with some stem plucking or perfect draw tooling. 

[Redgoldband]

59 minutes ago, Monterey said:

 

Much appreciated!
 

54 minutes ago, Chitmo said:

It’s pretty simple. Cut the cigar to your preference, check the draw and if it’s plugged simply put it in a freezer bag and throw it in the freezer for several hours.l then check the draw again. Half the time it gets things loose enough to smoke, the other half of the time ends up with some stem plucking or perfect draw tooling. 

Much appreciated! Does it make a difference if the fridge or the freezer? I noticed the link mentions the former, while you the latter. About to run an experiment now so any insights would be helpful. Apologies for hijacking the thread.


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[Chitmo]

11 minutes ago, Redgoldband said:

Much appreciated! Does it make a difference if the fridge or the freezer? I noticed the link mentions the former, while you the latter. About to run an experiment now so any insights would be helpful. Apologies for hijacking the thread.

I use the freezer, maybe I’m wrong though. A lot of this stuff is subjective to a degree, so I’d try a few methods and see what you like. 

[Redgoldband]

I use the freezer, maybe I’m wrong though. A lot of this stuff is subjective to a degree, so I’d try a few methods and see what you like. 

Copy! Appreciate you, sir.


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[Bagman]

10 minutes ago, Redgoldband said:

Copy! Appreciate you, sir.

Don't use the freezer!

[Chitmo]

47 minutes ago, Redgoldband said:

Copy! Appreciate you, sir.

 

41 minutes ago, Monterey said:

Don't use the freezer!

See, told you I’d be wrong. I’ll still do it my way though. 😊 

[Redgoldband]

6 hours ago, Monterey said:

Don't use the freezer!

I did not put them in the freezer. I experimented with the refrigerator.


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