Beneath the Band: Por Larranaga Montecarlo

[El Presidente]

This series to explore whether a particular cigar is humidor worthy. Cost these days is an issue for many so let's see if we can highlight some absolute standouts. This should particularly assist those new to the cigar world.  

To be fair, most of the cigars we have featured to date have scored exceptionally well. Surprisingly well! 

Scoring is: 1-3 (Poor)   4-6 (Average to good)   7-10  (very good to excellent)  Use the Poll. 

You are more than free to comment away 

Skinnies are a passion of mine and the PL Montecarlo is indeed a forum favourite. Has it maintained it's aging credentials over the years? Do 21-24 variants compare in profile to those of 10-15 years ago? In your experience do they transition as much as the Por Larranaga Petit Corona with 5-8 years of age?  

Today: Por Larranaga Montecarlo. Let's kick off the discussion 

 Let us know in this thread 

[Lucas Buck]

Smoked an ‘09 a few weeks ago that was just phenomenal. Few cigars age so gracefully. I like these much more than the PC and I love the PC. Can’t get enough of the thinnies. Wonderful cigars. 

[Habanoschris]

All 7-10 for me on these. Very good. If I was forced to choose I might take the PLPC but aging some Montecarlos out to see if that changes.  

[Cabbie]

I've yet to have one with age, but even fresh/rested, I can see the aging potential. Definitely consistent on profile, can't wait to see how it goes with age.

[teamrandr]

Wonderful cigars however I miss when they were $100 not $250. They are also a very quick smoke. But none the less I love them.

[JohnS]

The cigar that I have the most of in my humidor. (There's) Not much else that I need to add really.

[Gubbins]

I have a box approaching two years. I haven't tried one with more age than that. Construction has never been a problem for me. They are reasonably short smokes despite their length. 

Could just be this box, but prior to passing 2 years rest, I always get a fair amount of bitterness from these once I approach the half way mark. Hopefully they will improve with age. Solid cigars all the same.

[Chibearsv]

Solid little cigar. Very good when you need just one more to end the day. 

[gormag38]

2 hours ago, Gubbins said:

I always get a fair amount of bitterness from these once I approach the half way mark.

I've noticed the same thing whenever I've tried PLMCs. With that being said, I too have only had some with a few years on (certainly < 5 years of age). I had a couple boxes of these stashed away but ended up going through them, handing them out or trading them. That's when they were 100 bucks a box, certainly different now. I may have to acquire another box and stash it on the bottom/back of the tuppers. 

[Ford2112]

Bought them when they were cheapies. Like them a lot but not at current prices. 

[Ruggerpgh99]

I LOVE anything I have had to date from PL. Both PC and MC have been delightful young, and I look forward to see what some age will do on these boxes. 

[Chucko8]

These are for me the best value for money, hands down.