Montecristo No. 2 UME FEB 14 Review

[amart]

Please bare with me, as this is my first review and my palate is not as refined as some of you more experienced smokers.

My CC experience began with a Monte Joyita gifted to me by someone from Canada, which I quite enjoyed. Actually, that's an understatement. The second I finished that Joyita and got back home I got online to find out where I could buy some more. That led me here, for which I am forever grateful. Anyway, on to the review.

This is a HQ box from a recent 12:12 JUST over the 30 day resting period, but I figured I'd give it a try anyway, knowing full well I should allow it some more rest. For that 30 days, it's been in the humidor at ~65-66% Rh and 72ish degrees. My apologies for the lack of pictures, but my cell phone ran out of battery shortly after I lit it up and I didn't feel like venturing back to get my charger or camera.

Pre light:

Construction seemed great. No soft or hard spots that I could tell. Faint barnyard aroma. Pre-Light draw was, in my opinion, almost perfect. Nothing was wrong with it, just a TAD tighter than I personally prefer.

The first third wasn't too exciting. Earthy tones seemed to prevail with a HINT of what seemed to me to be leather. Not unenjoyable, by any means, but nothing to rave about either. A rather strong burnt tobacco taste came and went and, when it came, drowned out the other flavors for the most part. Good burn at this point.

The second third seemed to bring with it a faint chocolate note on the retrohale. I quite enjoyed this, but again, the earthy tones prevailed. I notice at this point that the wrapper is leaving a salty flavor on my lips. Not unpleasant, not enjoyable either. Just kind of there. This is the first time I've ever experienced a salty flavor from a wrapper. About halfway through the second third, the burn started to become incredibly lopsided. I gave it a chance to correct, but it did not, so I touched it up with my trusty Ronson torch. I hate doing this, as the next four or five puffs always seem to bring with them a fuel flavor, but res ipsa.

The bad burn continued into and through the final third. Every once in awhile I would get some creaminess, but again the earthy tones prevailed...along with a strong burnt tobacco taste every once in awhile. I start to slow down between puffs and get stronger cream and chocolate notes. At this point, I assume I have been burning the cigar too hot and make a mental note not to do this next time. As I said, the burn remained incredibly lopsided and, by this point, has required numerous touch ups. I'm chalking this up to the wind, however, because it doesn't seem like anything directly involved with the cigar should be contributing to a lopsided burn. It was steadily windy, for the most part, so I'm assuming that had quite a lot to do with the lopsided burn. I decide to quit about .25" from the band.

All in all, I'm not disappointed but also not impressed. I'm going to withhold final judgment until I can smoke one under a simultaneous three conditions: in the absence of wind, with more age, slower (read: cooler). I think one of the biggest issues I had was burning it too hot. I have a tendency to chase a mouthful of smoke, and I think that may be the wrong way to smoke this cigar (as I concluded in the final third). I welcome any criticism you may have in my smoking technique in hopes of correcting them to make this (and all) cigar(s) as enjoyable as possible!

[Rye]

Good review, and it seems you already know how to remedy the issues with the experience!

As for the salty taste, I hope it wasn't a torcedor who doesn't wash after taking a break!

[Habana Mike]

Nice first review and appreciate the nuances you noted.

As Rye said, it seems you recognize what may have been at some fault with the experience.

How long did it take you to smoke the #2? Any less than an hour+ would definitely contribute to some of the tastes your encountered (or didn't).

Regarding the saltiness, someone may have inadvertently slipped on a Sancho Panza wrapper leaf

[amart]

It took me right around 70ish minutes. I guess the saltiness could've been left over on my lips from the chips + salsa I had at dinner.

[Optic101]

Nice review.

Chips and salsa, well quite a bit of a competition for the 2.

That's the beauty of CC's, it is always a journey.

[amart]

Haha, the chips and salsa were 3+ hours earlier!

[Large215]

Good job on the review and I know as it getting harder and hander to smoke in doors but I find some CC smoke differently indoors then outdoors IMO with Burning and noticing some flavors thanks for your review

[Hash]

Thank you for the review, your description of the taste of the cigar is what i experienced smoking a Monte #2. I recommend that you try other brands of CC.

[amart]

Definitely plan on it!

[cooper669]

Thanks for the review, My Montes are resting from their long journey. I can't wait to light one up as I have not tried them yet.

[rmill3r]

While I've only had one Monte 2 mine was pretty less than spectacular as well

[amart]

Thanks for the review, My Montes are resting from their long journey. I can't wait to light one up as I have not tried them yet.

I'm going to give it another try tonight indoors and smoking slower and let the remainder rest for at least 6 more months

[jvel79]

Very nice review. Thank you for sharing.

[amart]

Appreciate the kind words, all

[cooper669]

I'm going to give it another try tonight indoors and smoking slower and let the remainder rest for at least 6 more months

The CC's I have are my first CC order so I don't think they will last 6 months unless I buy some older ones. I am dying to have one but I received them 2 days ago.

[ogus]

These cigars will give you heartache. You will have one that is the best thing ever and then others that make you want to quit.

[anacostiakat]

Good review!

I have about half of a '13 box that I have been smoking out of. I needed to gauge where these are at as I have not smoked them in a number of years.

They have been enjoyable. I don't smoke a lot of pyramids. Good to hear of your experience.

Thanks!

[amart]

Update: I smoked another last night and it was exponentially better. No burnt tobacco, even on the one relight needed after a long string of conversation, and very very good flavors throughout the cigar. Smoked well past the wrapper.

[trader1974]

Great review. I had some fresh Monte 2's lately and had a similar experience. I enjoy the #2's but find the Monte flavors really shine in a smaller ring gauge.

[elam370]

My monte 2s are absurdly terrible. But they seem to be absurdly sick.

[Arkay]

Monty #2s are fair to amazing. Very hit or miss.

[opusxtasy]

My 2013's are fine. I have had only two 2014's and both were plugged in the top fourth of the cigar. Never could review as I pitched them with the draw issues.

[brownpeter335]

Nice review and its sounds really good. I wish to smoke at-least 1 stick of this.

[Kpmx77]

nice review

[iahawk36]

I had my first #2 this fall, and it was a great smoke. Nice review!