Montecristo Open Have Arrived!

[El Presidente]

The much maligned (mostly by me ) Montecristo Opens have arrived at the Czar Humidor. I have been told they are a far better cigar than those we tasted at the Habanos Festiva.

I will slot in the Montecristo Open for tomorrows video reviews. We will soon see if it is a a case of a "one off" poor showing at the February release or a "Terminal" brain explosion by HSA

[Colt45]

were you forced to acquire them?

[MIKA27]

Hi Prez.

Do you have any further information on these stogies such as size, availability etc?

The only information I could find was; (And I hope it's ok I posted the below).

Is this just an additional line to hopefully keep jobs in the factories seeing there have been layoffs since early 2009 as stated in an earlier thread by yourself?

MONTECRISTO OPEN:

Montecristo Open is the big release of 2009, if we don’t take into account Regional and Limited Editions. The idea behind the new line is to offer a blend that would seduce new, young smokers who don’t have the time/skill to enjoy a classic Cuban double corona. Can we talk about a Montecristo ‘Light’? Four vitolas are available - Master (classic robusto), Junior (petit panatela), Regata (petit torpedo - 46 x 135 mm) and Eagle (grand robusto). Although Habanos claims that the new line is more powerful than the classic one (the name clearly suggests otherwise), it seems like they are rather medium-bodied. The new blend already received decent grades from the cigar press like Cigar Aficionado.

[El Presidente]

The Montecristo Open line was concocted in early 08. In its first incarnation (which we reported here at the time) it was to be called "Montecristo Sport" It was pointed out to HSA that associating Sport and Tobacco would ban the product in most of the world

We will undertake a full review on the Montecristo Open tomorrow in a Video review. From what I tasted in February's Habanos Festival I was not a fan albeit others were (CA). That is not remarkable in itself given taste is subjecive.

I am keen to have Ken and Smithy have a crack at the Montecristo Open line.

....and Colt...I took the bare minimum

[Guest rob]

as far as reviewing it... do you fear that if you only received them recently that they may still need some time to settle?

[El Presidente]

as far as reviewing it... do you fear that if you only received them recently that they may still need some time to settle?

They have been with PCC in Oz for a couple of weeks and here for a week. Having inspected them they look spot on. We will judge it obviously as a young cigar. What we are looking for is where to place them in the Pantheon of Cuban cigars. We should get enough to go on but if not we will say so and do a follow up review in 6 weeks. I shouldn't be so glass half full on this.

[yossie]

Are you going to sell the craps to your friends? XD

[Ken Gargett]

I will slot in the Montecristo Open for tomorrows video reviews.

not on my balcony!! are you serious? i keep getting promises of decent cigars and now we have ones even that 'tarmac tastebuds' has rejected.

fine, i'll have the warm, previously opened, aged sauvignon blancs all ready for you!

[Ken Gargett]

as far as reviewing it... do you fear that if you only received them recently that they may still need some time to settle?

YES YES YES. clearly, to do them justice, they must be put aside until i am unavailable.

[Ken Gargett]

....and Colt...I took the bare minimum

it just better and better!

[Ken Gargett]

We should get enough to go on but if not we will say so and do a follow up review in 6 weeks.

it is just christmas. clearly i'll be busy. please.

[El Presidente]

it is just christmas. clearly i'll be busy. please.

As a respected Cigar writer (in outer Mongolia) do you not have one iota of Journalistic integrity? These are one of the most controversial cigars in the past 100 years of Cuban cigars?

Are not the journalistic juices flowing? The mind wondering? The prose sharpening?

I am disappointed Ken. The Mongolians want your opinion.

[Ken Gargett]

As a respected Cigar writer (in outer Mongolia) do you not have one iota of Journalistic integrity? These are one of the most controversial cigars in the past 100 years of Cuban cigars?

Are not the journalistic juices flowing? The mind wondering? The prose sharpening?

I am disappointed Ken. The Mongolians want your opinion.

i remain, as ever, the servant of the mongolians. you are still getting warm savvy and i hope that we'll at least be including somethying vaguely acceptable.

but you do this deliberately, don't you.

[sandholm]

I will slot in the Montecristo Open for tomorrows video reviews. We will soon see if it is a a case of a "one off" poor showing at the February release or a "Terminal" brain explosion by HSA

I am swamped with work, so cant write that much, but we have had them here in Switzerland for a couple of weeks, and its a "ken review" cigar

Personal i think that its a shame they but the Montecristo label on it...

I am looking forward to hear you review.

cheers

[Ken Gargett]

I am swamped with work, so cant write that much, but we have had them here in Switzerland for a couple of weeks, and its a "ken review" cigar

Personal i think that its a shame they but the Montecristo label on it...

I am looking forward to hear you review.

cheers

oohhhhh, that is not encouraging. for ayone.

[sandholm]

oohhhhh, that is not encouraging. for ayone.

well, see it from the bright side, it could have been an Guantanamera

[Ken Gargett]

well, see it from the bright side, it could have been an Guantanamera

ROB HAS JUST GONE FROM WARM AGED SAVVY TO WARM CASK SAVVY. LEFT IN THE SUN.

[ironpeddler]

I can't remember the last time I looked so forward to a cigar review....in a Reality Show kinda way....since reading Rob's experience with this stick during the Festival.

Although taste is subjective, CA never met an advertiser's checkbook a cigar they didn't like.

Guys, drink a few bottles of wine BEFORE starting the review....and Ken, promise not to pitch it after 2 cm...

[kjellfrick]

I can't remember the last time I looked so forward to a cigar review....in a Reality Show kinda way....since reading Rob's experience with this stick during the Festival.

Although taste is subjective, CA never met an advertiser's checkbook a cigar they didn't like.

Guys, drink a few bottles of wine BEFORE starting the review....and Ken, promise not to pitch it after 2 cm...

Here's to that! I agree wholeheartedly. After having tasted the Monte Open in Ravello a couple of weeks back, my verdict is that you need AT LEAST a bottle each BEFORE you light up, and another bottle each to go with the cigar.

[Colt45]

Here's to that! I agree wholeheartedly. After having tasted the Monte Open in Ravello a couple of weeks back, my verdict is that you need AT LEAST a bottle each BEFORE you light up, and another bottle each to go with the cigar.

Kjell, I was only able to see part of the live broadcast - were the Ravello cigars the final production blend?

[kjellfrick]

Kjell, I was only able to see part of the live broadcast - were the Ravello cigars the final production blend?

Ahhh, so you saw us guzzling -98 champangne! I'm sure they were the final production, Colt, since the event was the formal introduction of the line in Italy. The Italian distributor, Diadema, was very much present and they even gave a Opening speech (that I didn't hear a word of). I had a good time, though, but a shame that the M. Open wasn't more to my taste. Too floral, almost perfumed. I only smoked the Junior, though, and I don't know about the others...

[Colt45]

Ahhh, so you saw us guzzling -98 champangne!

Couldn't they have served you some fresh wine?

Thanks for not rubbing it in

[jeromeroselli]

Sounds like an economy line. Are they cheap?

[El Presidente]

Sounds like an economy line. Are they cheap?

Not an economy line. Priced in line with other similar sized vitola's.

The review team needs to keep an open mind on this (forgive the pun).

[Punch Joe]

I am keen to have Ken and Smithy have a crack at the Montecristo Open line.

....and Colt...I took the bare minimum

No further comments

OPEN is the first line born in Montecristo, the best-known brand of Habanos throughout the world. Its blend, made up with selected leaves coming from the finest vegas in the Vuelta Abajo region – the best tobacco land in the world- carry all the essence of the distinctive flavour of Montecristo in its new 4 vitolas. Eagle, Regata, Master and Junior are made to meet all Montecristo unconditional lovers’ needs as well as to welcome the new generations who enjoy the pleasures of living al fresco.

Therefore, OPEN widens the choice of vitolas aimed to please all Montecristo lovers.

Eagle is the biggest cigar of this new OPEN line in length and in ring gage. It is made for those smokers who have more time to devote to their Habano, in the quest for a complete pleasure. The factory name is “Geniales”. (Ring Gauge 54 and150 mm long)

Regata is a “figurado “. It closely follows behind the tradition of Montecristo Nº2 in a thinner smoke. The factory name is “Forum”. (Ring Gauge 46 and 135 mm in the length)

Amongst the OPEN arrivals is, at last, the inclusion of a “Robusto” that has been an eagerly awaited arrival in the Montecristo range. The commercial name is “Master” (Ring Gauge 50 and 124 mm long)

And last but not least we have “Junior”, falling in line with current life trends – perfect for smoking in shorter spaces of time, taking into account the smokers profile evolution as well as smoking restrictions in some areas. The factory name is “Trabucos”. (Ring Gauge 38 and110 mm in the length)

Montecristo is the best-known Habanos brand throughout de world and one of the most appreciated. Many consider Montecristo the reference to which all other Habanos should be compared against. It is an icon amongst premium cigars. Its distinctive aroma and medium to full-flavoured taste keeps capturing both connoisseurs and newcomers as well.