The Marca Makeover Series: Part II. Montecristo Redemption Round.

[El Presidente]

The Marca Makeover series is where the adults walk into the room and do Habanos's work for them 

We are looking at each marca and seeing what works and what doesn't while proposing the introduction of new lines that makes sense. 

For those that missed part one. 

So let's look at our top four performers which are safe from the cut. 

 

1. Montecristo Number 2 

2. Montecristo Number 4 

3. Montecristo Especial 

4. Montecristo Edmundo

 

Redemption round.  

Pick one cigar from the  three in todays poll. They were indeed the next in line. The winner will join 1-4 as safe from the cut. 

Next stage: Innovation Round where we propose new vitolas. 

 

 

[Puros Y Vino]

Montecristo Petit Edmundo 

[99call]

I desperately want to like the Monty 1,  it should be my wheelhouse, but lemon and chocolate, is like fingernails down a chalkboard for me. 

If the Especial is already in the first four, then it has to be the Petit Edmundo. a hugely successful release,  powerful, rich, satisfying, and amped up Montecristo blend, whilst still remaining balanced, and smooth. 

 

[JohnS]

This is especially difficult. It's not quite akin to ranking one's children, but equally as unpleasant a task. For me, the Montecristo No.1 is an original 1935 release cigar and I'd hate not to have it on hand.

[Fugu]

I had it in my shortlist, so have to pick it here again - Especiales No. 2. As great as the Especial may be, for every ten Especiales 2 I smoke one Especial, probably less. So, personally I’d swap the Especial for the Especiales No. 2 and make room for a fifth format.

[El Presidente]

Early days but am slightly surprised the Monte 1 is edging out the Monte Petit Edmundo 

 

[griller]

The Especiales #2 slightly edges out the No. 1 for me, with consistent construction of the Esp2 putting it over the top. Knock on wood, I've literally never had a plugged Esp 2 & while I am head over heels for the No. 1, the Lonsdale size has produced some plugged vitolas since I started smoking in the 90s.

[joeypots]

I like the 1 and the Especials #1 equally. I smoke more of the 1 so I'll have to say that's the cigar I like best but that may be because I have more of them.

[Li Bai]

Monte 1 all day for me, I would have spared the Monte A too given its uniqueness.

As @Fugu said in the other thread, they can keep all of this Edmundo line (except the DE).

[Ford2112]

1. It's just such a good smoke. I haven't had enough Especiales 2s and Petit Robustos annoy me, by and large.

[El Presidente]

Monte 1 pulled away with the win. Well done 

 

1. Montecristo Number 2 

2. Montecristo Number 4 

3. Montecristo Especial 

4. Montecristo Edmundo

5. Montecristo Number 1 

 

Now that list has been curated by members. If you look at it....nicely balanced. Some small, some large 'ish", some skinnies. 

What 3 vitolas...."traditional or new".....would you add? 

Final poll tomorrow! 

[Fugu]

Hmm, just a dumb question, why the heck are we doing this?! Is this an academic exercise or are you just making fun of us, Prez? Monte has always been their flagship brand, I think HSA resp. Cubatabaco don’t need any assistance from our end. They haven’t killed a single format since the 60s, bar the No. 6 and 7. No other brand has received more new formats, just followed by perhaps Cohiba, when they had to fill in the void left by Davidoff. You think us 🐑 🐑🐑 really need to give them ideas for streamlining their offerings?! 😂😂😂

[El Presidente]

9 hours ago, Fugu said:

Hmm, just a dumb question, why the heck are we doing this?! 

Partly academic. It partly also helps me in determining my own lines.  

Montecristo today is a clusterf****.  More than half of their offerings are current sales dogs globally.  Let's lead off with 1/3/4/5. The 4 has gone from hero to zero in the world of PC. 

In short, the objective: If you could start with a clean whiteboard. What would you keep? What would you throw away? What would you introduce. How would you put together a vibrant Marque?

[rcarlson]

9 hours ago, El Presidente said:

The 4 has gone from hero to zero in the world of PC. 

That must be a function of cost. I love 'em, but not enough throw my bucks at larger format. . .anythings.  

[Li Bai]

9 hours ago, El Presidente said:

In short, the objective: If you could start with a clean whiteboard. What would you keep? What would you throw away? What would you introduce. How would you put together a vibrant Marque?

I'd keep: 1, 2, Especial and A.

Throw away everything else and introduce a Double Corona 👍

[Fugu]

9 hours ago, El Presidente said:

How would you put together a vibrant Marque?

Oh, right, vibrant!?

Can you show me that list again?

[Fugu]

 

11 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Montecristo today is a clusterf****.  More than half of their offerings are current sales dogs globally.  Let's lead off with 1/3/4/5. The 4 has gone from hero to zero in the world of PC. 

 

9 hours ago, rcarlson said:

That must be a function of cost. I love 'em, but not enough throw my bucks at larger format. . .anythings.  

I am with Carlson, a mere matter of cost. They’ve vastly overdone it. If you’re aiming at “luxury”, get rid of 5, 4, 3 … quickly!

[Lucas Buck]

#1 easy. My favorite Monte.