montecristo LE 'C' 2003

[Ken Gargett]

Some members will be only too aware that of all the releases and/or generally available cigars from Havana in the last decade, I have not been more utterly and totally unimpressed by any than by the 2003 Montecristo LE 'C' (except, of course, by the Cuaba Salomones, though to call that a cigar is to demean every other cigar ever produced – low grade compost, at best; this week's New Idea compared to Hamlet and Lear). I have thought that the 'C' was the most overrated of all the LE's and completely unworthy of the name. A total dud. Not to sit on the fence but the worst of all LE's and a cigar that dragged their good name into the mud.

Anyway, rejigging the deep storage cigars the other day, I came across the box of these that Rob convinced me to buy – his only failed recommendation for me and, to be fair, far outweighed by many recommendations for smokes I would not necessarily have thought to even try and now love. But a black mark, nonetheless.

Most of the box remains – I could not think of anyone I dislike enough to give them one – and I had always thought that I'd just leave it for a decade or two and see if anything happens or if I fall off the perch in the meantime, I won't have to worry.

So put one aside to check and the rest back into the deepest of storage. Thought I'd put myself through the suffering to see if any evolution.

Wish I'd taken a photo as it is by far the darkest wrapper I have ever seen – almost jet black. Rob will remember his black dog turds that he sold in the early days. They were sickly pale compared to this Otherwise, the wrapper not great. Some bumps and small splits, though I don't think that they affected the smoke itself to any great extent (and to be fair to the cigar, I did pick the one from the box in the least condition).

Cold, the aroma was of a dirty clothes basket or bag of gym clothes. So not an inspiring start.

Started with a mix of herbal and chocolate notes. Not discouraging. Draw a touch too easy but not bad, but there was certainly much more richness here than in the past but it still lacked something and seemed a little hollow – that continued all through. Construction was good and the burn settled and was quite slow and very even. Midway, we went into a combination of espresso coffee intertwined with hints of cream. Not unpleasant at all. The last third was the least of the cigar with a pronounced minty note and a bitter finish.

All that said, this was by far the best 'C' I have had and perhaps there is hope for them. I'd go about 85, making it an okay smoke for me, nothing special (but I think an aged LE from Montecristo should be something special).

Will they improve further? No idea. I didn't think they would ever get this far so who knows. I'll try another in a year or so.

Still think them the least of the LE's but certainly an improvement on the disasters that they once were.

[Colt45]

Thanks for the candid review. Never tried one, probably never will.

Only fair you come up with a nickname for these - in for a penny, in for a pound.......

[Ken Gargett]

Thanks for the candid review. Never tried one, probably never will.

Only fair you come up with a nickname for these - in for a penny, in for a pound.......

i'll work on it but there are many things that C could stand for...

[Ginseng]

I think "Monte Crap" is one accepted name for these thingies.

Wilkey

[Ken Gargett]

I think "Monte Crap" is one accepted name for these thingies.

Wilkey

wilkey, good as any.

[shrink]

Well, Ken... at least your gave the damned things a second chance. That's more than a lot of women have done for you. The single example of these that I tried in early 2004 wasn't all that bad. In fact, it reminded me a good bit of an Ashton VSG (I was still smoking Habananons at the time). But it only goes to show: time heals all wounds (or time wounds all heels, if you prefer).

While you were suffering through the cigar aficionado world's laughingstock of an EL this afternoon, I (on the other hand) was reveling in yet another Bolivar Simones. I knew that this was a very good cigar when I first tried it. But my estimation of its virtues has risen with each one I burn. It has become, in my eyes, the best Bolivar RE that I've had to date, and with age may actually compete for "the best Bolivar I've ever smoked". How's that for hyperbolic, gushing enthusiasm? Well warranted, to my mind.

The fancy deserves a video review of the Simone. Get on it.

[Ken Gargett]

Well, Ken... at least your gave the damned things a second chance. That's more than a lot of women have done for you. The single example of these that I tried in early 2004 wasn't all that bad. In fact, it reminded me a good bit of an Ashton VSG (I was still smoking Habananons at the time). But it only goes to show: time heals all wounds (or time wounds all heels, if you prefer).

While you were suffering through the cigar aficionado world's laughingstock of an EL this afternoon, I (on the other hand) was reveling in yet another Bolivar Simones. I knew that this was a very good cigar when I first tried it. But my estimation of its virtues has risen with each one I burn. It has become, in my eyes, the best Bolivar RE that I've had to date, and with age may actually compete for "the best Bolivar I've ever smoked". How's that for hyperbolic, gushing enthusiasm? Well warranted, to my mind.

The fancy deserves a video review of the Simone. Get on it.

shrink, as for trying the 'C', i was prepared to take a bullet for the team.

as for the boli simi's, i have posted several times how highly i rate them (bar the dodgy one full of holes) and am in complete accord with you on these.

i'd love it if we did a vid review but i suspect fat chance as rob is out of them - some members kindly emailed to advise that there are still some in canada. i have sent all my remaining ones, alas far too few, off to deep storage.

as for the women and 2nd chances, i look forward to the photos of you and the supermodels frolicking in the hot tub!

[habanohal]

Mine have become somewhat bitter now. They were gettin good. Seems as my 06 Robustos are they same way. What a shame

[Colt45]

I think "Monte Crap" is one accepted name for these thingies.

Sounds good - I'll throw EL Cabrón out on the table.

[OLS]

To not know someone and be so closely alike in our revulsion for the two cigars mentioned...

Well, it's just telling. The Cuaba Salamone was the worst cigar ever rolled out as a production item. The Monte C was the worst EL ever produced. I am not a big fan

of any EL, but on the "C", there is little dissent. Imagine a cigar where you have a reasonable chance of getting a legit box almost anywhere in the world 5 years after

it released. Haha..tell you something?

[Padrino]

The Cuaba Salamone was the worst cigar ever rolled out as a production item.

You mean the Cuaba Salamone was/is worse than Guantanamera ? Well i tell ya the Cuaba Salomones are pretty damn good, dunno about them Salamones though Don't listen to Ken (he thinks Springsteen is still "cool") the Salomones are brilliant. Ken...... bad Ken ! BAD !

Regarding the Monte EL C - I had the most bizarre experience of it tasting like a fruity red wine, and it was quite pleasant. That didn't last very long, then it just went acrid and disgusting. A bizarre experience.

[Ken Gargett]

You mean the Cuaba Salamone was/is worse than Guantanamera ? Well i tell ya the Cuaba Salomones are pretty damn good, dunno about them Salamones though Don't listen to Ken (he thinks Springsteen is still "cool") the Salomones are brilliant. Ken...... bad Ken ! BAD !

to be honest, i do not think that i have ever tried a guantanamera and if they have anything in common, quality-wise, with the cuaba salomones, i have no wish to start. for those that have not tried either, i can only compare the salamones with taking a few sheets of soiled newspaper from the bottom of the cat litter, rolling them in used toilet paper and then poking holes in them so the resemble a wind tunnel. other than that, i don't like them.

and springsteen still rules the world. was listening to 'the rising' last night. even rob told me he liked it (before he knew what it was).