2005 EL dissapointment

[gersonmorelli]

Yesterday I tried my first Montecristo D from a box I purchased a couple of months ago.

I was extremely dissapointed. To start of construction issues. It burned perfectly, but the draw was really tight.

As I fired this one, from the beginning I noticed the cigar was lacking flavours, it had a medium body. I could notice some Montecristo characteristics but they were very subtle, cocoa beans and some leather. Also noticed a unusual flavour in the second third: olive oil, maybe actual olives from Spain or Portugal. It was nice but did not last long. And the final third was very similar to the first with leather flavours more intense and some harshness.

This was the only one 2005 EL I hadn't tried until yesterday. I must say that, as of now, I was really dissapointed with all them. Maybe the RyJ Petit Piramide was a little better although IMO it didn't show any of the profiles of the marca, more like a Partagas-like flavour.

I do have hopes that this cigars (specially the Monte D) will turn around in the next couple of years, so I won't touch them for the next year or so.

What are your opinions on the 2005 EL?

[Claudius]

» What are your opinions on the 2005 EL?

I love the Monte D (the ones from SVF MAY 05 anyway - when / where is yours from?) and I love the Magnum 50 (same or similar code, first half of 2005). Not a RyJ fan...

[gersonmorelli]

» I love the Monte D (the ones from SVF MAY 05 anyway - when / where is

» yours from?) and I love the Magnum 50 (same or similar code, first half of

» 2005). Not a RyJ fan...

Well, I don't want to jump into conclusions since this was my first Monte D and a plugged one for that matter. But IMHO, my educated guess tells me that these are not that good as of now. Hopefully I just got a dud!

I'll check the box code on mine and post it later.

[Colt45]

I know we've discussed this before, but I still find it a bit mind boggling that where

they're rolled can be such a factor in quality - especially regarding ELs.

I understand roller inconsistency, but at this point in time? ELs?

Anyway, my only experience has been the HdM Especiales - I was underwhelmed.

[shrink]

I noticed the cigar was lacking flavours, it had a medium body. I could notice some Montecristo characteristics but they were very subtle, cocoa beans and some leather.

I've had two, sourced from Rob. My experience was quite different than yours. I found them to be quite strong, with young but very distinct flavors of espresso, cocoa and black pepper. They had a very bitter finish, and IMO were nowhere near ready to smoke.

That said, I would have to conclude that the potential was enormous, if all the parts come together right.

[Tampa1257]

Speaking of the Montecristo Edicion Limitada's, I have typically found that they have taken longer to mature and develop vs any other EL produced. They are generally higher priced than all they others and because they have taken in my opinion at least 3 years to develop, their sales have lagged. Why do you think that you are still able to source Montecristo C's? They sucked for the first 3 years after coming out besides costing almost double what the rest of the market was bearing at the time.

[El Presidente]

I had the same opinion of the Monte D's last year. Some recent tastings have showed flavours and strength along the lines of what Shrink has said.

I think that some of the wrappers used on the Edicion Limitada's over the past few years have been woefull. They vary from thin and silky(the good ones) to volumes of course, thick wrappers with as much finesse as a babies nappy. I think this is where much of the problem is.

[gersonmorelli]

I'm not sure if I should try another one or let them rest for another year.

Most likely I'll let them sleep and hopefully within a year I'll have a very pleasant surprise.

[Ken Gargett]

» Speaking of the Montecristo Edicion Limitada's, I have typically found that

» they have taken longer to mature and develop vs any other EL produced. They

» are generally higher priced than all they others and because they have

» taken in my opinion at least 3 years to develop, their sales have lagged.

» Why do you think that you are still able to source Montecristo C's? They

» sucked for the first 3 years after coming out besides costing almost

» double what the rest of the market was bearing at the time.

tampa, have you tried a 'C' of late? i have always found these the most disappointing of the LE's though less impressed in general with the last few than the earlier ones. have not tried a 'C' for several years and have had no desire to. if they are coming around, perhaps i should rob knows, having ofloaded heaps of the buggers on me, that i have enough.

[Tampa1257]

» tampa, have you tried a 'C' of late?

Ken,

I was given a Montecristo C when I went to NYC for a Sit Down in August of this year from Red1922. I smoked it last week after letting it sit in my humidor for about a month. First one that I have smoked in over a year, and thought the flavors had come nicely around. I will say that I find with the EL's, that Montecristo has more of the typical "Brand" flavor profile than any of the other EL's, so I found the Montecristo C to have the rich mocha earthy Monte type flavors that I sort of expect. If you have a few still resting, I would suggest that you pull one out and give it another try.

[Claudius]

» I know we've discussed this before, but I still find it a bit mind boggling

» that where

» they're rolled can be such a factor in quality - especially

» regarding ELs.

Regarding ELs, I have often heard (and verified myself in 2 or 3 instances) that ELs from first batch are better than ELs from subsequent batches. I didnt mean the regional factory vs Havana factory debate.