Smiley Posted June 18, 2016 Posted June 18, 2016 Just received a box Montecristo Especiales No2 (LAU NOV15) and it's the first time that I've seen the new gold embossed bands on the Especiales. Makes a classy cigar look even more classy. Can't be many Monte vitolas left with the old bands? 2
sonarman81 Posted June 18, 2016 Posted June 18, 2016 I have some #4s and #3s from 15 that still have the old bands.
oliverdst Posted June 18, 2016 Posted June 18, 2016 The old ones will become collectable, like old two row Cohibas. 1
NSXCIGAR Posted June 18, 2016 Posted June 18, 2016 Way overdue for the most popular brand in the world. I must admit, the old bands are pretty lame. Montecristo deserved better. I was extremely happy when I saw they'd been integrated throughout the full lineup as of late 15. The new bands are a huge improvement--much classier and attractive, although I wouldn't even have minded if they went full throttle with the gold Monte 80-style bands. I'm a full-package and presentation kind of guy, and if the cigar is deserving, I say give it a flashy and fancy band. Montecristo, as a brand and a cigar, is quite deserving, making HSA more money than any other. It's long past time they give back to it a bit.
Fugu Posted June 18, 2016 Posted June 18, 2016 48 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said: Montecristo, as a brand and a cigar, is quite deserving, making HSA more money than any other. It's long past time they give back to it a bit. Flipside - shinier band will in turn likely generate further markup...
Lant63 Posted June 18, 2016 Posted June 18, 2016 Last year everyone was bitching about how the new band made them look cheap, classless, and too much like the nc version lol! 1
CaptainQuintero Posted June 18, 2016 Posted June 18, 2016 55 minutes ago, Lant63 said: Last year everyone was bitching about how the new band made them look cheap, classless, and too much like the nc version lol! It still does! 4
NSXCIGAR Posted June 18, 2016 Posted June 18, 2016 58 minutes ago, Lant63 said: Last year everyone was bitching about how the new band made them look cheap, classless, and too much like the nc version lol! Must have missed that, but wow. I guess you really can't please them all. I guess that must also mean they hate the new Cohiba bands and think Sancho Panza bands are totally awesome... Montecristo was considered a second-tier brand until the 1950s and 60s and a lackluster band was appropriate. Even Upmann's premium band pre-revolution was similar to today's standard bands. Not sure how 3 colors instead of 2 and some metallic foil--like every other global Cuban band has--makes it cheap and classless. IMO, the existing Monte bands were cheap and classless and screamed second-tier cigar. When the Quintero band has you beat, it's time to make a change. 1 hour ago, Fugu said: Flipside - shinier band will in turn likely generate further markup... I don't doubt they'd try, but we should already be getting a fancy band at the 20-30% for Monte premium we already pay. Just like I'm happy they keep upping the Cohiba band for the 50-70% premium we pay for that marca. My position is that Monte is actually HSA's flagship brand. It may be Cohiba on paper, but when people think of Cuban cigars, they think of--and smoke--Montecristo. The presentation should reflect that very important and impressive status. And happily, the quality of the cigar is also generally high. It deserves a first-class band. Unfortunately, NC makers in many cases have attempted to mask poor quality with fancy bands over the last 15 years. But honestly, I have no problem with a fancy band if the cigar delivers--in fact, I endorse it. The Opus X bands are pretty ostentatious and for many over-the-top, but the cigars generally deliver, so I'm fine with that.
CaptainQuintero Posted June 18, 2016 Posted June 18, 2016 4 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said: Must have missed that, but wow. I guess you really can't please them all. I guess that must also mean they hate the new Cohiba bands and think Sancho Panza bands are totally awesome... Bingo! Even better, no bands! 3
Fugu Posted June 18, 2016 Posted June 18, 2016 22 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said: Must have missed that, but wow. I guess you really can't please them all. I guess that must also mean they hate the new Cohiba bands and think Sancho Panza bands are totally awesome... Sancho Panza, Rafael Gonzales and in particular the old Upmann bands
ChanceSchmerr Posted June 18, 2016 Posted June 18, 2016 58 minutes ago, CaptainQuintero said: It still does! Agreed
topdiesel Posted June 18, 2016 Posted June 18, 2016 1 hour ago, Fugu said: Sancho Panza, Rafael Gonzales and in particular the old Upmann bands 1 hour ago, NSXCIGAR said: Must have missed that, but wow. I guess you really can't please them all. I guess that must also mean they hate the new Cohiba bands and think Sancho Panza bands are totally awesome... Don't forget Quai 1
Fugu Posted June 18, 2016 Posted June 18, 2016 1 minute ago, topdiesel said: Don't forget Quai Too much colouration ...
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