Montecristo Open

[Kangaroo495]

You might remember I posted an article by James S*ckling a while ago, where he was praising the new Montecristo Open cigars. Many of you have hung sh*t on it over the past few months. To the point where I decided I would never waste my money on such a cigar.

Funnily enough, my g/f went to the local cigar shop to get a few singles, and low and behold - comes back with an Open "Master" (which is the Robusto size). I almost slapped her for doing this!!

So we shared the smoke last night. Would not normally do that, but I was interested to have a taste of it.

Construction was I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E. Best construction I've ever seen on a Cuban cigar - BY FAR. Wrapper was smooth as silk, cigar was firm - very firm, but just the slightest bit spongy. Aroma at cold was strong and pungent.

Before I say anything about taste, I will also note that the draw was fantastic. If I could give a 15 out of 10 for the draw I would. Best draw I've ever experienced on any cigar - just enough resistence, but no tightness - on a scale from 1-10 (ten being plugged, 1 being a wind tunnel) it would be a perfect 7.

Now to the taste. The opening was pungent, with cocoa flavours and coffee bean. No cream, not much sweetness, but a medium-full bodied solid smoke. The flavour was not typical Monte, but pleasant none the less. I would even say ENJOYABLE!

As the smoke progressed, the cigar became more and more full bodied. The coffee bean flavour gave way to bitter cocoa, but there was still enough sweetness to keep the cigar enjoyable.

Last third was just green and harsh. But hey - no problem! It's a young cigar!

I'd give it an 87 overall. Thoroughly enjoyed the smoke. BTW, I had stored it at 74% RH for two days (I'm fixing my humi at the moment - didn't have another option)

So what is it with you guys hanging **** on it all the time? Admittedly, I've only smoked one. But I was so satisfied by it, that it's hard to imagine the entire line being such complete rubbish.

My advice would be to get one and smoke it. The price is reasonable too.

Thoughts?

[El Presidente]

Mate some guys like them including guys such as yourself who I know enoy a great cigar. I personally don't but that is only my opinion albeit one shared by plenty of punters.

Have tried many. The larger formats start half decently and decend into a pit of mediocrity before collapsing into a rancid state of mindnumbing rotting compost.

The Junior does not have the complexity of the larger formats. It jumps right to the rotting compost after a brief opening flirtation of acceptability.

Maybe a high humidity is the key to these. God knows 61%-63% humidity is not.

[Kangaroo495]

start half decently and decend into a pit of mediocrity before collapsing into a rancid state of mindnumbing rotting compost.

I'm going to try this a few more times to give it a more objective review.

Pres, are they available on Czar's as singles?

[Warren]

That's interesting.

I was involved in the video review for these cigars with Rob, Ken and Smithy. We were all unanimous in our dislike of this line of Monty's.

I remember that Ken in particular had quite a problem with the construction of one of his, I have never seen a cigar burn in such a strange manner.

The taste in all of these cigars was just about non existent, they were all very much a non events.

Perhaps they have lifted their game, perhaps we just all smoked duds that day.

I'm glad you found a good one and hopefully there are more to follow.

[Wil]

Great stuff! Good to hear some some informed comment. Might pick up a few singles - I'm intrigued now...

[Colt45]

You might remember I posted an article by James S*ckling a while ago, where he was praising the new Montecristo Open cigars. Many of you have hung sh*t on it over the past few months.

So what is it with you guys hanging **** on it all the time?

You were leading the charge in that thread! - convinced they were crap simply because Suckling praised them. So Suckling's opinions are to be derided........

The advice to give them a try is valid, as it would be for any cigar. The reviews here are great guides, tools. There is no substitute for first hand experience.

[gfoster]

You, sir, are a very brave man for going against the general flow of derision and praising these.

I have 4 masters in my humidor. I haven't tried them yet but am looking forward to it.

-- Gary F.

[thechenman]

Have a friend who has been wanting to do a box split. Not sure I want to be sitting on that many Opens.

[KB24]

I was one of the select few to come out after the video review and tell how I had two of the Masters and really enjoyed them. Haven't had one since and it has been 4 months since the last. "To each his own" is how I would best describe the difference in opinion on this one and all other cigars.

-Patrick

[PigFish]

Me! I still think Sucklings opinions are bought and paid for.

Monte Open! When someone buys it with their money and sends me one maybe I will try one. I am not against the experience, nor will I deride those who post favorably about them (except Suckling). I just don't think that we need more colorfully packaged, Dominican blended, over produced Montes to replace cigars like the Partagas SdC line.

Like it or not I see this as an economic battle. Why would I buy such a cigar when great cigars with historical bloodlines are on the chopping block, ostensibly for sales numbers reasons, and are competing for the same money? Curiosity has a cost and if that cost is one less Partagas SdC, one less ERdM Grandes de Espana, one less cigar off the endangered species list sold... then the cost is too high.

It seems that each cigar you buy today represents some kind of vote with H SA. It also appears that my thousands of votes over the years don't matter much today. I am very unsettled with this company as a result I reject their new products as a less than hard-fast, but general rule!

Like many have said here, including myself; vote your wallet! -Piggy

[MontrealRon]

Me! I still think Sucklings opinions are bought and paid for.

Monte Open! When someone buys it with their money and sends me one maybe I will try one. I am not against the experience, nor will I deride those who post favorably about them (except Suckling). I just don't think that we need more colorfully packaged, Dominican blended, over produced Montes to replace cigars like the Partagas SdC line.

Like it or not I see this as an economic battle. Why would I buy such a cigar when great cigars with historical bloodlines are on the chopping block, ostensibly for sales numbers reasons, and are competing for the same money? Curiosity has a cost and if that cost is one less Partagas SdC, one less ERdM Grandes de Espana, one less cigar off the endangered species list sold... then the cost is too high.

It seems that each cigar you buy today represents some kind of vote with H SA. It also appears that my thousands of votes over the years don't matter much today. I am very unsettled with this company as a result I reject their new products as a less than hard-fast, but general rule!

Like many have said here, including myself; vote your wallet! -Piggy

My sentiments exactly.

I have never spent a nickel on a RE, and haven't bought LE's since '06.

I will certainly not encourage these Monte gimmicks, whether good or bad.

What little funds that are available will be spent on my favorite skinnies.

I truly mourn the loss of the SCD line.

Most anything else I could live with, but this is a mortal blow that I will not forgive.