Monte 2

[ramon_cojones]

Still, I am pretty sure that if you had the opportunity to walk into a B&M and pick your own stock, the stock I select (in the vast majority of cases) would be the stock you would be selecting. That is all it is.

If you had to summarize into one sentence about the advantage of what Rob offers, this is it.

[Fosgate]

I recently placed my first order with Rob. I trust and value Rob's hand picking abilities and his business ability to deliver product. I may have violated the advise of rule of placing a minimum order and verify they are real, good quality etc, but I don't do business with people I don't trust in the first place, EVER! Rob and the peoples opinions on this site have been extremely valuable in gaining that trust over other businesses that simply toss you a box and send you on your merry way with obviously defective product had the retailer only opened the box and see for themselves. So to each their own, want to criticize the hand selection process that's fine. If I ever got a box that you open up and instantly notice a problem my questions are these. How long did you wait to receive the product? How long to ship it back? And how long to receive the replacement? How long before you can actually smoke one? If this happened to me I would seriously doubt I would go through the effort of buying cc's and Rob recognizes that. So my hat off to the man who responds to what his customers want.

[dowjr1]

Buying from FOH is like working with a good advisor. You can go it alone, try to educate yourself over the internet with trial and error and wasteful spending with poor product...OR...you can partner with someone who works in the industry (for the last two decades) looks out for your best interests, and helps to guide you to a favorable result. Best part is all this happens for the same price or lower price than you would find elsewhere. I am having trouble figuring out why it's hard for people to follow this. But hey, people make foolish decisions all the time. In regards to my Habano purchases, I am not one of them.

[El Presidente]

I don't think this is about me or the team and I don't want it to be.

This was simply about how classification came about/why it was done/what it hoped/(es) to achieve.

[CaptainQuintero]

The first time you crack open the lid of a HQ box from Rob you know where the vast majority of your disposable income is going to be heading for the next few years!

Unless your local B&M doesnt mind you rootin through all ther stock and smelling/pressing the cigars then it's the only way to go imo.

I once went into a B&M where the guy said he kept the humidor locked because he didn't like people touching his cigars, then proceeded to dig out a bolivar corona for me using his car keys :S

[thecapo]

And everyone is entitled to an opinion. Some express them with class, others less so.

Should any individual not find utility in selected stock, Don't purchase hand selected stock. How hard is it?

Should any individual find greater consistency, utility/satisfaction from hand selected stock, purchase what you enjoy

Why there is a need to berate one group or the other is beyond me?

As a point of history, hand picking stock came about many moons ago as a result of being asked to pick certain stock for members based on "what I would spend my coin on". Buying blind online has it's limitations and this was a way to improve the "hit rate" of great cigars.

Word got around and before you know it the only way to keep up with such requests was to classify certain stock. Now some 820,000 cigars later under the program, does anyone think some cigars/boxes didn't live up to expectation? Of course! This is not an exact science. Blend and unseen issues come into play as well as my own fallibility. Still, I am pretty sure that if you had the opportunity to walk into a B&M and pick your own stock, the stock I select (in the vast majority of cases) would be the stock you would be selecting. That is all it is.

Onto Monte 3. I looked through 30 or so boxes last week. Not bad (2011 from memory). Wrappers were ok (Colorado), construction pretty good. The only problem is that box to box all cigars were covered in white mold. Now take 30 minutes to an hour eliminating the white mold and I think they would be good smoking cigars. Still in all conscience I couldn't recommend them as benchmark Monte 3 and that is what the program is about

Onto Monte 2. We have a great track record in picking excellent Monte 2. Some may underperform. It may have been my selection or it could also be (in conjunction) with the fact they need more time, storage conditions, or even your own palate. Let's face it, the majority of members will smoke a new arrival ROTT. No different to wine. most members recommend 30-90 days rest after arrival. Most can't do it.

The only way to gauge consensus on a cigar when purchasing is to read plenty of reviews and in particular to gravitate to reviews where the palate of the reviewer (the flavours they can pull) is similar to yours. That is stage 1. Stage 2 is to purchase singles or boxes over time and to smoke them. Smoke them young. Smoke with a little age. Gain an understanding if it is a cigar that you enjoy. My only role with the program is to give you every chance of a great box or singles.

When I read reviews I gravitate to certain members who share a similar palate. I automatically discount members who use generalizing terms such as "crap" (although I am known to do it, more out of frustration than anything else). Give me a member who put's time and effort into a review. I am not here to question their experience (good, bad or ugly). As I said there a plethora of circumstances that can lead to the final experience.

In the modern world, there is a need for a shortcut. With cigars you can increase your chances greatly but as to what you like and what you do not like comes back to you trying cigars over time. There really are no shortcuts.

The hand picked program is only there to increase your chances for a better experience. Again, if you were in a B&M and able to purchase your own cigars, I doubt you would pick much differently to what I do. We simply separate the wheat from the chaff.

In summary, chill.

Have some class in the comments you make. It is only cigars, not life and death. if you have an opinion share it but it is only an opinion that will be judged by your own contribution, experience over time. Your experience will be different to others, is it more valuable? Highly bloody unlikely. Yet it makes up the potpourri of the discussion. Never assume a level of self importance beyond what you have earned over time. Same goes for me.

Cheers

Rob

[thecapo]

I personally pay a small premium to anyone who has more expertise than me! I pay my attorney, doctor and my realtor to advise me on any asset I own or want to purchase.

Mr. D. Trump is not the smartest man in his fields. He pay top dollar for the best advisors.

I live my life and run my businesses in the same manor.

That being said I pay a premium to reduce my risk of loss.

I appreciate this mans (Rob) time and efforts to help me accomplish this. Thank you SIR.

[aes8]

I don't think this is about me or the team and I don't want it to be.

This was simply about how classification came about/why it was done/what it hoped/(es) to achieve.

I think it should be about that someone came into your living room and laid a steaming roper on your coffee table. I'd be pissed also. I think you were quite diplomatic however I would like to know how much you backspaced the draft post

The point of psiman's post could have been made about post 2006-08 cigars smoking much better ROTT or discussion of aging vs immediate consumption or just several other things that could have prompted good discussion.

Just my 2c worth.

[Bclass1]

I don't think this is about me or the team and I don't want it to be.

This was simply about how classification came about/why it was done/what it hoped/(es) to achieve.

Agreed. Not to discredit Rob and the team but upon reading Pres' thorough post, his point was well taken.

Anyone can buy box of cuban cigars from an authorized dealer, but not everyone can pick their own boxes. Whether that be from inexperience or just because they don't have the amenities provided to them. Czar offers a solution to that.

I know I can speak for many when I say I would rather have a quality box "hand picked" rather than spend my coin on a blind purchase when you really don't know what you'll receive. Can a HQ/PSP box turn out to be a dud? Of course it can..But if you asked me to choose between a box of CoRo and a box of CoRo that has been checked for quality and deemed worthy of purchase, I'll take the latter everytime..

[El Presidente]

however I would like to know how much you backspaced the draft post

Sunday afternoon, 2 x Scotch and Soda, 30 minutes, no drama.

My 2014 resolution before posting is to imagine the Dalia lama running a Divan

[Smallclub]

the Dalia lama running a Divan

That's what we call a déformation professionnelle in french (it's not pejorative)

[El Presidente]

That's what we call a déformation professionnelle in french (it's not pejorative)

....just avoiding defamation action

[aes8]

Sunday afternoon, 2 x Scotch and Soda, 30 minutes, no drama.

My 2014 resolution before posting is to imagine the Dalia lama running a Divan

Why are you adding soda to scotch? I almost hit the "report" button.

[El Presidente]

Why are you adding soda to scotch? I almost hit the "report" button.

Some people go dry for a few months....I add soda to scotch. Self delusion is a wonderful thing

[galtline]

Just had a Monte 4 - Awesome ! It so strange every Monte 4 is consistent but number 2 are not. I thought they use the same tobacco.

[Bclass1]

Sunday afternoon, 2 x Scotch and Soda, 30 minutes, no drama.

My 2014 resolution before posting is to imagine the Dalia lama running a Divan

Rob, you can't cut scotch!?

[ewipper]

Why can't these cigars remain consistent. Bought a box about six months ago. The cigars look outstanding but half of them are just flat out awful. Its such a shame because it's one of my favorites but with such crappy quality control I don't think it's worth it.

If you take off the Australian warning stickers, there is microscopic fine print in Spanish that says that Montecristo is an anagram in Ancient Taino for inconsistent.

[ewipper]

A cigar that seems to polarize opinion. I'm not a fan of the #2 and have never been enthused about the Marca in general.

This is unfortunate. Because authentic tasting Montecristo is like heroine. As satisfying as Dunhill, but given the brand's origins, that shouldn't be surprising.

[maverickdrinker]

Another way of looking at this is through what I'll call an error ratio. What percentage of monte 2s (or any other CC) have you enjoyed vs. not enjoyed (using the assumption that you smoke the vitola regularly and like it overall). My guess would be it would be 10% or less.

Today, I had a plugged Cohiba lancero. First one in a long time. Sh!t happens once in awhile. Is it enough of a sample size to say 'inconsistent?' IMHO, no. Do I enjoy it overall and keep smoking/buying them? Yup. With the good comes the bad sometimes. As long as your error ratio is within your acceptable range, don't sweat it. The beauty and challenge with cigars is that it is an artisan product, totally hand made (mostly) and subject to human error (at times). To expect perfection every single time is unrealistic IMO.

I agree regarding the ability to either pick boxes yourself or have a professional like Rob (IMHO) do it for you. The chances of success/enjoyment is higher. Many times I've enjoyed the privilege of having a box or two picked out for me when in Havana. The ability to evaluate prior to purchasing provides peace of mind more than anything.

It's easy to call BS when you are not the one actually doing the heavy lifting. Reverse the positions and see how well (or poorly) your selections are before calling BS.

[galtline]

Gonna hold off on any Monte 2 purchases. Just can't get a good box. Your right 3 out of ten are good the rest are fire starters.

[BigE514]

I have a 10ct box of Monte 2s and the 3 I've smoked so far are some of the most amazing cigars I've ever smoked, I guess I'll have to wait and see how the other ones turn out.

[El Presidente]

I think we can wrap this up.

there is no "dumb to this". Just experiences pure and simple.

If anyone believes I ship cigars that i recommend without tasting then you are wrong. There is a strong inbuilt feedback system on the deck God knows enough guys come up every week and share their experiences.

Nothing gives me more pleasure than for Artie, Greg, laz, Marc, Stan, Toby, Jeremy,Smithy etal on a Friday to tell me the mag 50, Coro, lancero, etc is great. God knows I picked them. I get concerned where brethren whom I trust say otherwise. I try to find the reason why. Not always possible. Still those Fridays (predominantly) afternoons on the deck are our "benchmarks". If 90% of those lads love them (and they are hard markers) 90% of you will do as well (or close enough to it).

I live and learn every day in this field. It is not a pure science. great construction, great wrapper, great aroma at cold works most of the time.the BTO Cohiba Siglo Vi is a case in point. Shared one this afternoon with a great mate. He remarked it has been a while since he had a great Siglo VI. Blown away. It just gives me a warm and fuzzy. That and the red wine I was consuming.

Cheers

Rob

[fingerburner]

This is unfortunate. Because authentic tasting Montecristo is like heroine. As satisfying as Dunhill, but given the brand's origins, that shouldn't be surprising.

I hear you, and the many others that spruik their significance in the Habanos spectrum. They just don't seem to be what I look for in a cigar.

[Hash]

Monte 2= Disappointment.

[Puros Y Vino]

Excellent thread. The Monte2 is my least favourite CC. I've had a 20% "enjoyment" rate on them. Were they badly constructed? Poorly stored? Probably not. I chalk it up to getting a few duds or possibly sampling them during a sick period. I have three M2's that friends gave me to change my mind, they're resting until the summer. I'll give them another chance. Like the M4, I suspect that the high production #'s will give rise to more "duds".