Montecristo No. 2

[SnakeHips]

As I was attending a members' Christmas party at my local B&M, I wanted to pick a cigar that would take me some time and look the part. I have a 10-count of '08 Montecristo No. 2 that are the sexiest things ever, just dark and oily with that splotchy chocolate wrapper and a smell to make you weak in the knees. Only thing is I only had two left, and not a single one of the entire box has tasted anything near this brand's benchmark, and I've had it for a year. But, I hadn't had one for a long time, so I was hoping they'd treat me better by now, almost 2010. And besides, I couldn't resist the smell or the look of these.

Clipped it...oh boy, this didn't bode well. Tighter than [something inappropriate I probably shouldn't say]. Clipped it again. No better. Ran it through with a Draw Poker. At least smokable then.

Lit it up, and I was hopeful. First puff was chocolate, a bit of cream and coffee, and a definite pepper blast. Maybe these have turned around.

No.

Second puff on, just a nightmare. No flavor, other than pepper and bitterness. Just rancid. Nothing through the nose, nothing on the French inhale, just badness. It was as bitter and unforgiving as I am. I've never smoked a Montecristo No. 2 and enjoyed it, but this was the worst one so far.

I suffered through an inch, took the band off and left it in the ashtray to die its slow and well-deserved death. I hope it was a painful death. I went into the humidor and bought a Joya de Nicaragua Antaño...much better, sadly to say.

I think this cigar has officially become my Cigar Nemesis.

[jeht]

Don't write the brand off yet. They might have needed more time to come around

[roughrider]

Do the Cubans draw test their cigars like some of the NC manufacturers?

[SnakeHips]

Don't write the brand off yet. They might have needed more time to come around

Haven't written off the brand as a whole - I've liked all the No. 4s I've smoked.

@roughrider

I believe the Cubans have indeed implemented draw-test machines. I'm convinced they either aren't in use or aren't calibrated well.

[Ellery]

Im with you on this one. Smoked Monte 2s from two different boxes, and not all that impressed. I'm gonna put them away for a couple of yrs and hopefully they'll improve.

[shrink]

Something ain't right here. Is this the only box of Monte 2's you've smoked from? I've had some that were disappointing, but nothing this bad. Are these from a trusted vendor?

[stargazer14]

I can say my 08's have been very pleasant.

Sorry to hear that, tho the first thought that comes to mind is...

'bogus'.

[SnakeHips]

Something ain't right here. Is this the only box of Monte 2's you've smoked from? I've had some that were disappointing, but nothing this bad. Are these from a trusted vendor?

Yes, they are from a trusted vendor. And this is the only box I've smoked from. They show signs of tastes I've experienced in other Montecristos, so that confirms to me that they're just a bad batch. This was the only one I would call rancid; the others were at least smokable, they just lacked in flavor.