What am I missing

[Danashan]

Let me start with saying I am not trying to throw smelly substance on the fan .

I am VERY new to CC's and still trying to decide what all the hoopla is about.

I've been smoking cigars for less than 3 years, almost exclusively NC.

After salivating at the reviews on FOH, past Sunday I decided to spark up my only Montecristo #2 I was gifted, which was sitting in my humidor for the last 2 years (was saving it for special occasion, not many cigars over $12US in mu humi).

Great fall day, wether was perfect. Sunny, almost no wind, warm. Awesome and rare in my area.

The cigar was beautiful torpedo, smooth. Construction - perfect, draw - perfect .

Smoked it for about 75 minutes. I am a slow smoker and sip my cigars, so I don't think I was rushing it.

Flavors: bit of citrus, bit of cream, some tobacco, light medium body, a twang that I think was that cuban taste everyone seems to be talking about. No other flavours, no real change, no WOW. Smooth, yes, but very unexciting. Impression: Meh!

I was really disappointed, since I really expected to get that "classic Monte flavour", but may be that is just my built-up anticipation.

I was so puzzled that I went to smoke a second cigar that evening (I don't usually smoke more than one a day) to ponder why am I missing all the fun. Got my "go to" Oliva Serie G Maduro Belicoso", and while thinking about my Monte experience, actually thought to myself that I enjoy the Oliva much more. WTF?

I have tried R&J, Partagas and Sancho Panza Beli CCs before which also left me cold.

Is it just that I am used to NCs and expect different flavor profile? Should I only try $100 cigars to expereience the CC nirvana? What? I'm really dumbfounded.

At this point I'm not sure I want to drop a ton of dough on a sampler of CCs and get disappointed again.

While pondering my predicament I was also wondering why on earth would anyone limit oneself to only CCs when it is clear to me there are really wonderful NCs out there, which are usually cheaper to boot. I think one will be missing out. Its like only drinking french wine: its good, for sure, but there are many excellent others.

Help the brother out, give your thoughts

[Colt45]

It's possible you've smoked a few "duds", but it's also quite possible that Havanas are simply not to your taste - and I don't mean that at

all in a patronizing way. You are not the first member to question what the fuss is about.

If you truly enjoy the NCs you currently smoke, that's where I'd spend my money as well. As many here have mentioned, a true dud is a dud

no matter how long it sits. But some cigars do take time to integrate and show their true selves.

[purosdave]

My first though after reading your post is: where did you procure these cigars?

[Jesuscookies]

I am sure you tried many NC's to determine what you like, right? Well, try a few different CC marques, and vitolas. It will give you a better idea of the range of tastes in the CC line up.

I for one, am not a Monte fan at all, but find the Punch, Juan Lopez, Cohiba Marques to be phenominal smokes.

[Ethernut]

Monte #2's have left me underwhelmed lately as well, I haven't had a decent Monte #4 in a while either... Dont fret it, Cubans are characteristicly inconsistent. My current Fav's are Por Larranaga Monte Carlo, Bolivar Beli Finos, Hoyo De Monterrey Le Hoyo Des Deiux and Partagas 898v.

What characteristics are you looking for in a good cigar?

[BobLobLaw]

I have had 2 Monte #2, both of which were "meh" Like others have said continue to experiment.

Also not only on the flavor aspect but CC are often quite a bit cheaper then NC. You can get robusto sized smokes (RASS, BRC, PSD4) for as cheap as $6-8 per stick delivered.

[brutusthebuckeye]

My first though after reading your post is: where did you procure these cigars?

I was thinking the same thing........

[Colt45]

Its like only drinking french wine: its good, for sure, but there are many excellent others.

As someone who enjoys wines from around the world, I can agree. But once one acquires a taste for good burgundy, it can be tough going back

to pinots from elsewhere. I might be able to appreciate them for what they are, but it's never quite the same.....

[Ellery]

Recently had a monte 2 that was "decent," so I know where you are coming from. Over the last yr, Ive gotten more into cuban cigars, but still I smoke a lot of Oliva V and Tatuajes. I think you are just use to the flavor profile of the NCs. NCs tend to be more bolder and spicier, but one dimensional and not as complex as cubans. I say pick up a sampler pack and see what happens.

[Danashan]

I was thinking the same thing........

I have no reason to believe they were fakes. Always possible (I bought part from a place in Israel while there, and Monte and Sancho Panza were gifted by a person I trust) but unlikely. Mind you, they weren't BAD, just meh...

[thechenman]

Danashan...

It is a process of elimination in my opinion. I have smoked far more brands and DRs and NCs then there probably are over all the different Cuban marcas and the vitolas available in each marca. It can take some time and experimentation. Like Colt says...in the end Cubans cigars may not be your cup of tea, and you will go back to smoking primarily NCs; however, you won't really know until you give it a true concerted shot. Buy a sampler from Czar, or better yet...contact Lisa, Smith or RA and find out what is smoking well right now and get tow or three of each of those. Let them rest in your humidor for a month and then give them a try. You never know...

[mkz]

Sorry to hear about your dud-monte Danashan. I have smoked divine monte 2´s and crappy ones. To much inconsistency for my taste.

My advice if you want to find out what the fuzz is all about: buy a box of Diplomaticos #4 from Rob (have him or Lisa select it for you), let them rest a month or two... enjoy!!

[Danashan]

Recently had a monte 2 that was "decent," so I know where you are coming from. Over the last yr, Ive gotten more into cuban cigars, but still I smoke a lot of Oliva V and Tatuajes. I think you are just use to the flavor profile of the NCs. NCs tend to be more bolder and spicier, but one dimensional and not as complex as cubans. I say pick up a sampler pack and see what happens.

I would disagree about one dimensional/not complex. Far from it. Try Padilla 1948, for example. A lot of different flavors and very clear changes from one third to the next.

Interestingly enough, I find Oliva V much simpler than Oliva O, especially the maduro. I also have not found a Tat I liked, except one example of Noellas which was really good and special, which may have been a fluke

I do like bolder cigars, I think, but balance and flavour are paramount

I think I'll have to get a sampler to at least convince myself that I did due diligence. Anyone has an opinion on PETITE AND HALF CORONA SAMPLER on CigarSzar or am I better off with something else?

[zuma]

It is impossible to make generalised assessment on the basis of a single sample... it is as meaningless as a poll involving one single person. What you have found out is that you did not like the Monte 2 that you smoked... or as Don Quijote said "Señor, una golondrina sola no hace verano" (Sir, a single swallow does not summer make).

To be able to make a better assessment you need to test a more significant sample... different brands, different vitolas... and more than one of each. Yes, it'll take some investment of time and money... and what you like will depend on your own palate, not on the opinions of anyone on this or other fora.

Personally, I have yet to have a memorable Monte 2... or, as a matter of fact, been able to finish a non-Cuban... but then I have had only a handful. In terms of experience, I just a neophyte like you, and though someone could suggest that I explore the world of NCs, life's too short to want to taste everything and I am having way way too much fun with Cubans...

[Padrino]

I do like bolder cigars

Try:

Bolivar Royal Corona/Corona Extra/Belicoso Fino

Partagas PSD4/Lusitania/898

[mkz]

Anyone has an opinion on PETITE AND HALF CORONA SAMPLER on CigarSzar or am I better off with something else?

Diplomaticos #4

Punch Petit Coronas (del Punch)

Montecristo #5

Cohiba Siglo I

Cohiba Siglo II

Bolivar Petit Coronas

Juan Lopez Petit Coronas

(make shure to get atleast two of each)

[anacostiakat]

Diplomaticos #4

Punch Petit Coronas (del Punch)

Montecristo #5

Cohiba Siglo I

Cohiba Siglo II

Bolivar Petit Coronas

Juan Lopez Petit Coronas

(make shure to get atleast two of each)

Partagas Shorts and RASCC as well.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to try different sticks. What you ultimately decide on will be what you like at that time.. . .

[aavkk]

Well first off, sorry to hear about your "meh" experience. I made the full-time transition over from premium NC's to cubans 2 years ago and havent looked back. You just havent had that eye opening experience... yet. You will though, with minimal investment because 08 stock is phenomenal and is ready to smoke right away. Now, I'm not going to bother giving you a laundry list of smokes you have to try because it will be different from those above and below me here. What I will suggest is that you ask Rob and Lisa what is smoking well and trust them implicitly. I think you can get a good representation of each marca in either a corona, lonsdale or PC with the exception of maybe RA, which would be a RASS. Once you get them, leave them to rest for at least a few weeks (I recommend a month) and be sure your humidity is at 65% and not 70%. Cuban tobacco requires less humidity than their NC counterparts for the flavors to really shine. Finally, please give us an update with the results whether good or bad.

[Van55]

Your post brings back some memories and begs a few questions.

First, as was asked before, where was the Monte #2 from? I know you said it was a gift. Do you have any idea where the guy who gave it to you got it? If he bought it under the counter from a US cigar shop the chances are excellent that it was counterfeit. If he got it in Cuba from a non-LCDH or factory store, the chances are excellent that it was counterfeit. Cigar Aficionado magazine asserts that something like 95% of the "Cuban" cigars in the USA are counterfeit.

Second, Monte #2 are positively known for their inconsistency and many that I have smoked have disapointed me, even though I know for a fact that they are the real thing.

Finally, as for the memories. My first box of Cuban cigars was RyJ Exhibicion #4. It was left on my front porch by the mailman. It sat all afternoon in the July sun. Naturally, I couldn't wait to rip open the box and try my first Cuban cigar (that I knew was genuine). What a downer. Dull, muted, not even pleasant. I followed it with a Domincan RyJ, which I much preferred.

What did I do wrong? I should NEVER have smoked the cigar under those circumstances. The box should have been stored in 65% RH for at LEAST a month before I opened it and tried one.

Like yours, my palate was accustomed to non-Cuban cigars. And Cuban cigars are definitely not the same. I would say that they are a bit of an acquired taste, although once the taste is acquired, nothing else will quite satisfy one's palate, in my experience. I think it took me a couple of months and maybe a dozen Cuban cigars before it hit me how much I began to prefer the taste of Cuban cigars. I expect that your experience will be much the same as mine was.

If so, contact your bank and increase the credit limit on your MasterCard.

[Guest rob]

An H.Upmann Sir Winston should be able to give you an idea of why I personally love CCs.

I like quite a few NCs... but the Sir Winny exhibits one of the most classic CC flavours I have ever tasted.

[tsolomon]

I was and NC fan and liked the stronger fuller cigars, so when I started smoking CCs, it took my palate awhile to adjust to a simpler smoke that is very complex. I still smoke a number of NCs, but they are not as subtle or complex with their flavors. The one dimensional reference is based on my experience that they don't develop and change the way CCs do as you smoke them. NCs get stronger and the flavor can change, but it just doesn't have the same floral notes of chocolate, coffee and leather or that nice nuttiness that CCs do. Where NCs might have 1 or 2 of these flavors, many CCs have a number of these flavors that seem to develop throughout the entire smoke. I’m not a Montecristo fan and would suggest trying some others Marcas that might appeal more to your taste.

[Stalebread]

Lots of valid observations and suggestions above.

Let me add:

-- Keep an open mind and palate.

-- Taste is subjective.

-- Enjoy the process as well as the object.

-- (as others have said) making a judgement based on one or two or even three samples of a given marque and vitola will probably be a pretty thin judgement.

-- premium cigars are hand-made from agricultural material so, even in brands known for consistency, there can be, and is, variation from cigar to cigar.

-- there is nothing wrong with enjoying the Oliva more than the Monte.

Personally, I enjoy cigars from many different growing regions. I have no particular allegiance to this tobacco or that country. I enjoy a good ("good" is subjective) cigar. This morning I had an outstanding Illusione that I'd had for about 18 months. Last week I had a Bolivar Coronas Extra from '06 that was a real treat. Such is life.

[Bahnofstrasse]

Smoke what you enjoy. For me I enjoy CC vs, NC. I find the complexity of Cuban leaf versus Non-Cuban to be the determining factor. I also find that aging my stock works for my flavor profile.

I cannot finish the Oliva V's that I have finding them rather bland and harsh. They have been in my Humidor for over 2 years. I tried one recently and had to put it down half way through.

Cigars are no different than a bottle of wine. Some people might like a particular brand/region, while others might see it another way. Grab that sampler and keep an open mind. That Monte 2 could have just been a dud. Maybe after you are through you will find that NC are best for you. Good luck!

[Shelby07]

Great thread for probably lots of folks new to CC's who have the same observations. I'd say the two most important things that have been said here are know your sources (there are fakes out here that would fool Castro himself until they were lit) and smoke CC's at a lower RH than you're used to smoking NC's. I'd suggest you dry box CC's for at least 2-3 days. It really makes all the difference in the world.

[Mr Peales]

I would say that they are a bit of an acquired taste, although once the taste is acquired, nothing else will quite satisfy one's palate,

Nailed it; well said Van55.