Your opinions on the Montecristo No.1?

[s1911]

I love the #4, #2, Monte A's, and Especiales but I've never had a Montecristo #1. 

How are they?

[JohnS]

Every bit as good as those aforementioned cigars. My brother-in-law was fortunate enough to score a box duty free awhile ago and I remember each one I had from it was very, very good...with the distinctive Montecristo profile, only a little milder than your quintessential and popular No.4 and No.2.

 

[Jimmy_jack]

Very good smokes. I enjoy the size very much. Flavors are great. 

[Habana Mike]

Great format, decent smoke, good value.

 Smoke if you got em, buy em if you don't....

[Danimalia]

I've only had one single, but I thought it was excellent. I've been smoking petit edmundos lately and for a few extra bucks, the #1 lasts another 30-40 minutes. Really, it's been a while since I smoked a #2, but I don't remember them lasting as long as the #1, either. So, for me, the value is there. As for flavor, pretty similar to other Montes, but I found it to be a touch stronger on the back-end due to the thinner ring gauge.

Again, my experience is limited, and I could have gotten an exceptionally good stick (though it didn't look anything special), but I plan on buying a box of 10 sometime in the not so distant future.

Pay no attention to the title, I accidently labeled it an Especial. It was just a regular uno.

 

[NSXCIGAR]

I'm a fan of the No 1. Love the Lonsdale anyway, but when a Monte is good, you don't want it to end and the No. 1 is just a real treat. Right up there with the Especiales for a great Monte experience. I'd recommend not buying blind for them, however. I've seen some pretty ugly boxes of these over the years. 

[JohnS]

34 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

I'm a fan of the No 1. Love the Lonsdale anyway, but when a Monte is good, you don't want it to end and the No. 1 is just a real treat. Right up there with the Especiales for a great Monte experience. I'd recommend not buying blind for them, however. I've seen some pretty ugly boxes of these over the years. 

Yes the Lonsdale, just it's dimensions, is indeed a real treat. I think the Montecristo No.1 and RYJ Cedros de Luxe No.1 are the only regular production Lonsdales left (42 rg x 165 mm). There's been so many deletions of this vitola in the past 10 to 15 years. And the similar-sized Dalia (43 rg x 170 mm) are down to three, the Cohiba Siglo V, La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.2 and Partagas 8-9-8, and all three of these are in short supply at the moment too.

Long story short, if you have the opportunity to pick up some Montecristo No.1, don't hesitate!

[NSXCIGAR]

1 minute ago, JohnS said:

Yes the Lonsdale, just it's dimensions, is indeed a real treat. I think the Montecristo No.1 and RYJ Cedros de Luxe No.1 are the only regular production Lonsdales left (42 rg x 165 mm). So been so many deletions of this vitola in the past 10 to 15 years. And the similar-sized Dalia (43 rg x 170 mm) are down to three, the Cohiba Siglo V, La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.2 and Partagas 8-9-8, all three of these are in short supply at the moment too.

Long story short, if you have the opportunity to pick up some Montecristo No.1, don't hesitate!

I didn't mention the No. 3 Corona, but it's right behind the Lonsdale for me. The No. 3 and Especiales #2 are my favorite Montes. I miss the Dalias, Cervantes and Coronas more and more every day. I think you left out the RyJ Cazadores--so few left they all deserve mention! The MdO #2 is shamefully all but dead. 

[s1911]

Thanks for all the reply's, I'll have to buy a box..hopefully some show up here, otherwise I'll grab a box next time I travel. I too have noticed huge box variations with Montecristo, especially the #2's. I have a box of Double Edmundos (I need to post a picture) that may be the worst looking Monte box in history, and they taste equally as crappy! 

The #1's are a great size I'm not sure why I overlooked them in the past, maybe too many number formats to keep track of much like the Siglo's, 1-6.

[canadianbeaver]

Our favourite Montecristo, like all lonsdales. But put the box or fiver away for a couple of years if you can.

So worth the wait!

[PigFish]

Somehow I cannot help but make comparisons. The dalia and cervantes vitolas are favorites of mine. Yet, the Monte #1 has always been at the top of the most inconsistent of these cigars for me (cervantes).

You have to take the cigars that Tabacuba makes for you, unless you wish abandon the vitola altogether, and if you like the cervantes then this is one of the few choices left. The Diplomatico #1, the Upmann Lonsdale, RG or SP... all better cigars, but beggars cannot be choosers.

For the record I own several boxes of these. As Taba-discontinua was hitting the cancellation big time, I bought a lot of lonsdales just as a precaution, even some that were not my favorites.

Montecristo as a brand (a group) has always been plagued with these problems. So it is not just the M-1, it is my general view of Monte cigars.

Ultimately if you are a Montecristo cigar smoker, you should try these. As indicated, when  they are of good quality, they can be phenomenal cigars. Maybe I might just have to light one up today... It has been awhile and it is refreshing to read that many people are enjoying theirs.

Cheers! -Piggy

[Philc2001]

3 minutes ago, PigFish said:

Montecristo as a brand (a group) has always been plagued with these problems. So it is not just the M-1, it is my general view of Monte cigars.

Ultimately if you are a Montecristo cigar smoker, you should try these. As indicated, when  they are of good quality, they can be phenomenal cigars. Maybe I might just have to light one up today... It has been awhile and it is refreshing to read that many people are enjoying theirs.

Cheers! -Piggy

Precisely my experience also, unfortunately. I've recently split a box of MC#1 from FOH and haven't yet tried them, but I hope they are decent. 

[Orion21]

46 minutes ago, PigFish said:

Somehow I cannot help but make comparisons. The dalia and cervantes vitolas are favorites of mine. Yet, the Monte #1 has always been at the top of the most inconsistent of these cigars for me (cervantes).

You have to take the cigars that Tabacuba makes for you, unless you wish abandon the vitola altogether, and if you like the cervantes then this is one of the few choices left. The Diplomatico #1, the Upmann Lonsdale, RG or SP... all better cigars, but beggars cannot be choosers.

For the record I own several boxes of these. As Taba-discontinua was hitting the cancellation big time, I bought a lot of lonsdales just as a precaution, even some that were not my favorites.

Montecristo as a brand (a group) has always been plagued with these problems. So it is not just the M-1, it is my general view of Monte cigars.

Ultimately if you are a Montecristo cigar smoker, you should try these. As indicated, when  they are of good quality, they can be phenomenal cigars. Maybe I might just have to light one up today... It has been awhile and it is refreshing to read that many people are enjoying theirs.

Cheers! -Piggy

Couldn't agree more.  Montecristo has been hands down the most inconsistent marca for me.  I bought a a few boxes of No. 1's purely because of the roll.  I love lonsdales and the few 1's I have smoked have been split 50/50.  50% fantastic and 50% meh.  I have had the same issue with Partagas 898 as well.  I think the issue is the roll.  Since there is less tobacco it takes a skilled hand and a great blend to make these cigars stand out.  When they're "on" they are really "on."  But when they're not they kind of just make you sad for what could have been!

[puromaniac]

Haven't sampled a bunch of Monte 1s but a recent batch from our host have been a pleasant smoke. Very much so.

[PigFish]

29 minutes ago, Orion21 said:

Couldn't agree more.  Montecristo has been hands down the most inconsistent marca for me.  I bought a a few boxes of No. 1's purely because of the roll.  I love lonsdales and the few 1's I have smoked have been split 50/50.  50% fantastic and 50% meh.  I have had the same issue with Partagas 898 as well.  I think the issue is the roll.  Since there is less tobacco it takes a skilled hand and a great blend to make these cigars stand out.  When they're "on" they are really "on."  But when they're not they kind of just make you sad for what could have been!

... funny that you bring up Partagas 898! Same here! Always liked the cervantes over the dalia (unvarnished vs, varnished) but never really thought the 898 was the best of breed. Standard Partagas lonsdale was always better for me. Seleccion Privada #1 a true favorite, far better than any 898...

While off topic, I just thought I would agree on the tangent.

Popped open my last cab of Partagas lonsdales not to long ago and they are just head and shoulders above the 898 (MHO).

-Piggy

[Philc2001]

4 hours ago, PigFish said:

Popped open my last cab of Partagas lonsdales not to long ago and they are just head and shoulders above the 898 (MHO).

-Piggy

I got a Parti Lonsdale recently in a trade, and man was that a fantastic cigar! I don't have enough experience with 898s to compare to, but I would buy a boatload of the Lonsdales if I could... mmmmm!

[kuma]

love them bad boys.  Also love the #3's.  with a little time down the #1 and #3 are outstanding.

long and sleek when you hold them.  Flavor wise they have some white pepper, sharp dark choc.

and a bit spicy.  Buy them when you can but only from are host unless your know / trust another vendor.

But I'm sure quality / price you will not beat are host the Pres.