Ti Punch and Monte

[Hank Koestner]

I enjoyed a Monte # 2 yesterday, that had been ageing in my humi for about 6 months. I had a Ti Punch with Neisson ESB and found this to be a good match. The Monte is a cigar with layered flavors, but not full bodied, so I wanted to be careful not to overpower it. The Neisson went quite well. I added less cane syrup than usual, as to not make the sweetness effect the taste of the cigar.

[Lew Barrett]

While my bottle if ESB is satisfyingly full, I'm out of Monty 2s. One of my favorite cigars. They are unique, but remarkably consistent and a true classic by any reckoning. Plus, they are among the nicest to look at in the box. It's hard to imagine a more universally appreciated cigar.

[Torpnubber]

Very much a hit or miss cigar.

But when they are on, they're tough to beat :)

[tym2relax]

Very much a hit or miss cigar.

But when they are on, they're tough to beat :)

I tried a #2 and it did not do it for me. I have one left and a #1 that is been sleeping in the humidor for about 8 months. Never had a #1, can anyone compare the to #2?

[Lew Barrett]

I'm surprised to hear that Monte 2s are no longer consistent. They are a Cuban
landmark cigar, always get a thumbs up, and in my experience, have among the most consistent draw of any larger Cuban.
All the Montes I have ever tried have a unique tang; Montecristos seem to have a blend that is a bit different in that respect. But to me, the 2 stands alone in being a large ring size with an easy draw and puts out a lot of smoke. It's a characteristic I like.
As a Lonsdale, the 1 doesn't compare in ease of draw and overall quality to a
Number 2. For lonsdales, the classic Cuban in my opinion is Rafael Gonzales. Those, when they are good, are a delicious smoke.
If you are comparing the Dominican production to the Cuban, well, there is no real comparison. The Cubans are significantly more full bodied.

[Edward Hamilton]

I am so jealous. That sounds like a very good rum cigar combination.

[Hank Koestner]

I have found that there are some construction issues with the smaller ring gauge Monte's, based on the few I have smoked. The 2 is one of the few Cubans I have been lucky enough to smoke over the past few years. I must say, they were a little better 2 years ago, the couple I have now were boxed in 06. The 04 and 05 were a little better.
The Ti Punch is hard to find the right cigar to pair with, but I think I have an idea about the type of cigar it needs.

[Lew Barrett]

I'm not a huge Montecristo fan overall. I had a couple of As some time back that I saved for several years. Everyone said how great they were, so I put them away and took one out on a beautiful summer evening when I thought I could give two hours to a cigar. What a dud! Totally underwhelming. But, I feel differently about the 2s. It's a bummer to hear they've gone downhill.

[Torpnubber]

The Montecristo #2 was exclusively produced at the H Upmann factory in Havana for many years. But as this cigar has gotten even more popular, production has shifted as well to the H Upmann factory in Neuva Vedado.

Sometimes you'll get a knockout, sometimes a more demure blend.
Right now, the Edmundo and Petit Edmundo seem to be the most popular vitolas in this marque.