How are they aging: Montecristo Sublime LE 2008

[El Presidente]

I would like to post a few cigars a week to assess members views of how they are aging.

If you could include the following points please

1. Last smoked
   
2. Impression and rating if you like.
   
3. Recommendation to smoke now or in your opinion when will it be at its best.
   
4. Any overall comments.
   

Let's start with the Montecristo Sublime 2008 LE

Cheers!

Rob

[tmac77]

Smoked one on the weekend. was a delightful smooth smoke. earthy and cocao a 92 rating will let them rest a bit longer though maybe at their best in another 2-3 years.

[charlesod]

I'll smoke one this weekend and let you know.

[Puros Y Vino]

Had my third ever last summer. I enjoyed it, but it did not wow me. It was as good as an MGE. I arrived late to the cigar scene when these came out. I'm glad I chased down a box. I think they just need some more sleep. The first two I had were very good. 89 points if I were to use the CA scale. They haven't dropped below that grade, nor have they jumped above.

[CaptainQuintero]

About 6 months ago, it was a lot more full bodied than all the rest I've had but it could have just been a one off, I'd agree with 2-3 more years being the sweet spot balance wise

Still a complete different animal compared to the GE, hard to compare them really, these are very smooth chocolate milk while the GE are almost like a coffee and Guinness shake

[srsMichael]

Had my third ever last summer. I enjoyed it, but it did not wow me. It was as good as an MGE. I arrived late to the cigar scene when these came out. I'm glad I chased down a box. I think they just need some more sleep. The first two I had were very good. 89 points if I were to use the CA scale. They haven't dropped below that grade, nor have they jumped above.

Like you I recently joined the scene. I will be smoking one very soon though. I dont know when but warm weather will spend up the process. I have high expectations!

[shrink]

I say smoke now. I see these starting to get very dull and flat in the next 3 years or so.

I'm with Shlomo. The last one I smoked, about a month ago, had lost much of its body and strength.

[CBL]

Had one early Juli last year that was a little underwhelming, but honestly can't say whether they passed their prime or haven't reached it yet. Maybe I just had a dud! Should revisit these soon anyway.

[onemoretime]

Have 5 left and to be honest.......2008 release(5years). El (2 years). That's 7 years and don't see a need to wait. Cant immagine them getting any better. Soon to be ashes.

[CanuckSARTech]

They are aging like every other EL. Because every EL post-2005 is exactly the same. Cocoa powder-dusted wrappers, identical blends with aged leaves.

I always have a chuckle when I see comments like this.

Just because a particular person can't taste the blend differences does not mean that all blends are created equal or identical, IMO. I have a number of post-2005 EL releases, and sampled a number of others, and there's always been nuanced differences between each. Yes, that maduro-ish atypical EL wrapper does overpower a lot, and adds heavily to that cocoa/coffee taste. But the blends themselves are still different.

[CigarmanTim]

I think they just need some more sleep.

Yo Frank. I smoked one box 3 years ago and another a year later. I think Tampa (may he rest in peace) had it nailed....or was it Jimmy2.... if they aren't good young, they probably won't be good aged. To me this is a very bland cigar that has no legs.

When is the next Toronto herf?

[Savoy]

You can chuckle all you want. It's the same cigar. Different vitola, different band. I've got them all -- EVERY EL since the inaugural Partagas 2000 Piramides (Yes, several cabs of the Upmann '05 Mag 50 EL,; yes, several boxes of the PSD1's; yes, several boxes of the Cohiba '06 Piramides -- and even the crappier ideas like the PSD5's -- ewwww). I've been smoking CC's since 1990 and If you think any of these "EL" cigars have nuance -- then I congratulate you on your imagination (IMO). Now, what I have noticed out of HSA are significantly "nuanced" RE's. My favorite blends of the past 5 years are the LGC Gloriosos and the RA Grandes. BTW, where has the LGC marca gone? Save the Inmensos, it's vaporized. Why? Probably because the masses buy into these cocoa-dusted, jawbreaker EL's. 'Sheesh, talk about a marketing ploy.

Why buy them if they are all the same?

[Ken Gargett]

had my last one 6-12 months ago. lovely cigar.

rob, it was one of the ones given to us during the festival when they were first released - remember the champers tasting?

i always wonder whether the ones given out in those circumstances are perhaps a little more impressive and perhaps not identical with what follows. just a thought.

but it was a lovely cigar.

[maverickdrinker]

Yo Frank. I smoked one box 3 years ago and another a year later. I think Tampa (may he rest in peace) had it nailed....or was it Jimmy2.... if they aren't good young, they probably won't be good aged. To me this is a very bland cigar that has no legs.

When is the next Toronto herf?

August 17th

[Colt45]

BTW, where has the LGC marca gone?

They get re-banded as Vegas Robaina

[CanuckSARTech]

You can chuckle all you want. It's the same cigar. Different vitola, different band. I've got them all -- EVERY EL since the inaugural Partagas 2000 Piramides (Yes, several cabs of the Upmann '05 Mag 50 EL,; yes, several boxes of the PSD1's; yes, several boxes of the Cohiba '06 Piramides -- and even the crappier ideas like the PSD5's -- ewwww). I've been smoking CC's since 1990 and If you think any of these "EL" cigars have nuance -- then I congratulate you on your imagination (IMO). Now, what I have noticed out of HSA are significantly "nuanced" RE's. My favorite blends of the past 5 years are the LGC Gloriosos and the RA Grandes. BTW, where has the LGC marca gone? Save the Inmensos, it's vaporized. Why? Probably because the masses buy into these cocoa-dusted, jawbreaker EL's. 'Sheesh, talk about a marketing ploy.

They get re-banded as Vegas Robaina

LOL. Or cut in half, blended with half of a Cohiba, and banded as QdO too.

It is a shame, though...

[Colt45]

It is a shame, though...

Not to go too far off on a tangent (though perhaps that horse has already left the barn :-), I don't blame them for not wanting to waste the '08 Marshalls, but I'm not sure what to think about simply re-banding - how they think about their own product. Perhaps some type of "generic" habanos band might have been a more appropriate solution.

Just thinking out loud.....

[Orion21]

The only EL's that I have smoked that are noticeably different from the rest are Partagas. The 2010 and now the 2012 are both very different than the chocolate coca and espresso bombs. Having said that I have not smoked a Sublime, so feel free to send one my way and I will be happy to give my opinion :)

[maverickdrinker]

The only EL's that I have smoked that are noticeably different from the rest are Partagas. The 2010 and now the 2012 are both very different than the chocolate coca and espresso bombs. Having said that I have not smoked a Sublime, so feel free to send one my way and I will be happy to give my opinion :)

A picture of one will be hitting your email soon.

[Orion21]

hahahahaha, thanks big guy I have a feeling these smoke a lot like paper then, LOL

[investandprosper]

Why buy them if they are all the same?

Maybe he likes the same taste in different sizes =)

Taste is so subjective. I picked out pears and apples in my wife's sauv blanc at dinner the other night, when she just said it tasted sweet. It has to do with tastebud density as I understand it. You can smoke cigars for 23 years and some things will always taste the same.

[mk05]

You can chuckle all you want. It's the same cigar. Different vitola, different band. I've got them all -- EVERY EL since the inaugural Partagas 2000 Piramides (Yes, several cabs of the Upmann '05 Mag 50 EL,; yes, several boxes of the PSD1's; yes, several boxes of the Cohiba '06 Piramides -- and even the crappier ideas like the PSD5's -- ewwww). I've been smoking CC's since 1990 and If you think any of these "EL" cigars have nuance -- then I congratulate you on your imagination (IMO). Now, what I have noticed out of HSA are significantly "nuanced" RE's. My favorite blends of the past 5 years are the LGC Gloriosos and the RA Grandes. BTW, where has the LGC marca gone? Save the Inmensos, it's vaporized. Why? Probably because the masses buy into these cocoa-dusted, jawbreaker EL's. 'Sheesh, talk about a marketing ploy.

Hard to disagree with you on this. I find most marcas save for a couple are too light and are easily overpowered by the EL flavor. The question is if the marca works with it, or against it - and for the most part with aging, it's been against. I am very nervous about the Punch EL, I don't think they'd ruin a connoisseur's marca with crap, but if I see a dark wrappered Punch EL, I may cry.

[CaptainQuintero]

I am very nervous about the Punch EL, I don't think they'd ruin a connoisseur's marca with crap, but if I see a dark wrappered Punch EL, I may cry.

Get your tissue ready, it's dark!

Not monte GE dark but certainly darker than last years HDM EL

[Colt45]

.....if I see a dark wrappered Punch EL, I may cry.

Why cry? Just don't buy....

P.S. what on earth is a "connoisseur's" marca?

[mk05]

It's not meant in a snooty way, just the best word to describe fairly unpopular marcas with a cult following, that is usually regarded as the treasures of vintage cubans; ie ERDM, Punch, Sancho Panza.