Cigars.ie

Monte Open ‘Junior’

 38 Ring Gauge x 4.3 inches

 Construction: Soft, light Colorado coloured wrapper with very few visible veins. Very mild/no aroma from the wrapper.

 Pre-Light Draw: Loose, verging on the promiscuous. For such a small ring gauge cigar this is very discouraging; is there any tobacco in this cigar at all? There is a large hole just under where the cap is clipped off with my double blade guillotine. Hmmm…

 First Third: Lights easily (unsurprisingly given the amount of air flowing through it.) There is lots of thick smoke almost immediately which I always like with a cigar. Perhaps this cigar won’t be all bad.

Flavours are almost completely absent and the cigar is so inoffensive that it’s actually beginning to offend me. I expect at least a hint of a Montecristo profile from the cigar, but no dice. There is the vaguest hint of white bread flavour and a slight tinge of ammonia that I suppose has to be expected from such a young cigar.

 That said there is a good, even burn. Bar the small matter of dramatic under filling, this is a well constructed cigar.

 Second Third: Even though I’m puffing infrequently the cigar is staying lit and producing lots of think smoke. On the other hand, the cigar is already starting to burn too hot. Very little flavour, bar the hint of a dusting of cocoa. Just a hint though! That and some more ammonia.

 Edit: I spoke too soon, the darn thing has gone out without warning. It relights easily and I am back to thick, tasteless smoke.

Despite increasingly infrequent smoking the cigar is continuing to overheat, not just on the tongue, but on my hand as I can feel through the wrapper the heat of the interior. You couldn’t make this up.

 Final Third: The cigar has cooled ever so slightly, thankfully. Flavourlessness abides. Were it not for the fact that this cigar was a gift from a friend and was for a review I would have tossed it long ago.

With an inch and a half to go the cigar is too hot on the mouth and we both have to go our separate ways. For such a small cigar, that’s a large proportion of the smoke that is wasted.

 Closing Thoughts: I would never knowingly buy this cigar. Bland and poorly constructed, this cigar would have put me off cigars if it were my first Cuban cigar. A Jose L Piedra Petit Cazadore is the same approximate size, a fraction of the cost and far more enjoyable. An overly generous 75 rating.

Montecristo No.5

 40 Ring Gauge x 4.0 inches

 Construction: Light Brown EMS wrapper with some darker patches. Slightly ‘mottled’ effect overall. Some very small veins visible, mild to medium tobacco smell.

 Pre-Light Draw: Far more promising. Firm but free, just enough resistance to make an enjoyable smoke.

 First Third: Promising start, very thick smoke. Initial flavours are bready with a hint of white pepper. A recognisable Montecristo flavour and consistency that I have as of yet to come up with a satisfactory description for.

 The burn is slightly uneven, but this is offset by thick smoke, a good draw and a subtle strength of flavour.

 Second Third: In the second third the cigar continues to grow in strength. This small cigar is no pussycat! Flavours are a little harsh as is expected from a young cigar (it’s probably late 2007/early 2008) but pepper and creaminess are clearly recognisable.

Ash is dark grey and seems to be somewhere between firm and flaky.

 The burn is still uneven, albeit only slightly and the draw is still exemplary. It should be noted that the burn issues are self correcting.

Final Third: The cigar continues to perform well, with lots of thick white smoke and lots of peppery spices abounding along with the typical Montecristo flavour that I stil have yet to come up with a satisfying description for (this is really annoying me! Any suggestions?) Slight burn issues have corrected themselves.

 Closing thoughts: A very solid 45 minute smoke. Not remarkable but enjoyable and solid. I wouldn’t pick this cigar over a Ramon Allones Small Club Corona, but would happily spend time with it again, ideally with a bit more age. 

Well constructed, flavourful and packs a punch. A solid 88 cigar.