Wurm
Bratwurst and Beer
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2005
- Messages
- 6,141
This is part 1 of 2 battle reviews I am planning on doing, the next one is going to be the PLPC vs Siglo II.
Lets start with the Monte Edmundo
Price: 10,00 Euro
Format: Robusto
Ring: 52
Length: 13.5 cm
Tobacco:
Filler: Cuba (Vuelta Abajo)
Binder: Cuba (Vuelta Abajo)
Wrapper: Cuba (Vuelta Abajo)
Advertised as a strong aromatic cigar, I decided to pick one up at the same time I purchased the Monte Edición Limitada 2006 to be able to compare the two.
Here is a picture I took, comparing it to the CAO Sopranos Associate that Double D smoked while I was doing this review.
Construction and Pre- light: The wrapper was silky smooth and had a nice oily sheen, clipping and dry drawing produced a strong tobacco flavor but nothing else.
Toasting and Lighting: Toasting the foot produced the same strong tobacco smell but no hints of spice or earthiness that I am used to when smoking a Monte. Lighting was the same.
Ash and Burn: The ash was a dark gray and very flaky, the strong breeze we had on that day was able to blow ash directly from the cigar and over everything around me. The burn was pretty good regardless of the wind and I only had to make two minor touch-ups.
Taste: Here is where this cigar failed IMO. It started off powerful, but it stayed one-dimensional for the entire session. While strong is how I like my cigars, the Edmundo bored me by tasting almost the same from beginning to end.
Not recommended, If you like Montes pick up either a Tubos A/T or a #2. The Edmundo is too boring to smoke young and I have no idea how much it would improve with age, I am also not willing to give it a try, too many better Cuban cigars out there to age.
Now onto the Monte Edición Limitada Robusto 2006
Price: 14,50 Euro
Format: Robusto
Ring: 50
Length: 12.4 cm
Tobacco:
Filler: Aged Cuba (Vuelta Abajo)
Binder: Aged Cuba (Vuelta Abajo)
Wrapper: Aged Cuba (Vuelta Abajo)
Here is a couple of pictures of the EL...
Notice how dull and rough the wrapper is compared to the Edmundo.
Construction and Pre- light: The wrapper was rough to the touch and showed no signs of oil what-so-ever. Clipping then dry drawing also produced a strong tobacco taste but also hints of spice and leather, I could already tell that this cigar was better than its bigger brother.
Toasting and Lighting: Mmmmm hints of pepper and cowhide, the initial taste was a bit more subdued in power compared to the Edmundo while at the same time providing a wider variation in flavors.
Ash and Burn: The ash was a dark gray but firm, I had to forcibly tap the cigar to make it drop. The burn was a tad uneven at first but leveled out on its own.
Taste: A good mix of strong tobacco, pepper and leather from beginning to end. Now considering that the EL cigars are aged 3 years (?) before shipment, maybe this is how an Edmundo might taste with some age on it. However I have my doubts, since the EL also use a special blend as well.
Was it worth the almost 20 bucks I paid for it? Damn Skippy it was. However the Partagas EL 2006 are less expensive and IMO better tasting than the Monte EL 2006. So next time I plan on sticking to the Partagas when a craving for a EL 2006 comes along.
Finishing notes: Both cigars were reviewed while partaking of Paulaner Oktoberfest beer, here is a few pictures for your enjoyment.
I hope you enjoyed my review as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Shawn
*edit* to fix a few LE to EL mistakes
Lets start with the Monte Edmundo
Price: 10,00 Euro
Format: Robusto
Ring: 52
Length: 13.5 cm
Tobacco:
Filler: Cuba (Vuelta Abajo)
Binder: Cuba (Vuelta Abajo)
Wrapper: Cuba (Vuelta Abajo)
Advertised as a strong aromatic cigar, I decided to pick one up at the same time I purchased the Monte Edición Limitada 2006 to be able to compare the two.
Here is a picture I took, comparing it to the CAO Sopranos Associate that Double D smoked while I was doing this review.
Construction and Pre- light: The wrapper was silky smooth and had a nice oily sheen, clipping and dry drawing produced a strong tobacco flavor but nothing else.
Toasting and Lighting: Toasting the foot produced the same strong tobacco smell but no hints of spice or earthiness that I am used to when smoking a Monte. Lighting was the same.
Ash and Burn: The ash was a dark gray and very flaky, the strong breeze we had on that day was able to blow ash directly from the cigar and over everything around me. The burn was pretty good regardless of the wind and I only had to make two minor touch-ups.
Taste: Here is where this cigar failed IMO. It started off powerful, but it stayed one-dimensional for the entire session. While strong is how I like my cigars, the Edmundo bored me by tasting almost the same from beginning to end.
Not recommended, If you like Montes pick up either a Tubos A/T or a #2. The Edmundo is too boring to smoke young and I have no idea how much it would improve with age, I am also not willing to give it a try, too many better Cuban cigars out there to age.
Now onto the Monte Edición Limitada Robusto 2006
Price: 14,50 Euro
Format: Robusto
Ring: 50
Length: 12.4 cm
Tobacco:
Filler: Aged Cuba (Vuelta Abajo)
Binder: Aged Cuba (Vuelta Abajo)
Wrapper: Aged Cuba (Vuelta Abajo)
Here is a couple of pictures of the EL...
Notice how dull and rough the wrapper is compared to the Edmundo.
Construction and Pre- light: The wrapper was rough to the touch and showed no signs of oil what-so-ever. Clipping then dry drawing also produced a strong tobacco taste but also hints of spice and leather, I could already tell that this cigar was better than its bigger brother.
Toasting and Lighting: Mmmmm hints of pepper and cowhide, the initial taste was a bit more subdued in power compared to the Edmundo while at the same time providing a wider variation in flavors.
Ash and Burn: The ash was a dark gray but firm, I had to forcibly tap the cigar to make it drop. The burn was a tad uneven at first but leveled out on its own.
Taste: A good mix of strong tobacco, pepper and leather from beginning to end. Now considering that the EL cigars are aged 3 years (?) before shipment, maybe this is how an Edmundo might taste with some age on it. However I have my doubts, since the EL also use a special blend as well.
Was it worth the almost 20 bucks I paid for it? Damn Skippy it was. However the Partagas EL 2006 are less expensive and IMO better tasting than the Monte EL 2006. So next time I plan on sticking to the Partagas when a craving for a EL 2006 comes along.
Finishing notes: Both cigars were reviewed while partaking of Paulaner Oktoberfest beer, here is a few pictures for your enjoyment.
I hope you enjoyed my review as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Shawn
*edit* to fix a few LE to EL mistakes
