Tighther than a .......

[JimJamYaHa]

My first cigar for a few week's and coincidently of the New Year was a Montecristo Open Eagle Junior which I picked up from the humidor @ Selfridge's during last summer. Recommended to me by the sales assistant (not the regular woman but some other dude) when I asked for a smoke that lasted less than an hour.

It was a good looking cigar 1 small vein and good construction and I was actually looking quite forward to smoking this little dude as it was one of the first proper cigars I picked up when I first started smoking last year.

Firstly I had no idea about this cigar at the time and wish I never touched it!

I prepared myself for my first smoking session of the year by going for a nice meal and made my way to near St Paul's Station in London to find a coffee shop with outdoor heating grabbed me a latte and sat down outside ready for the big

5pm on a cold Sunday it was about 6C with a bitter wind.

I drew my cutter I lunged for my lighter and I light it up.

Disappointed!

First few puffs were very difficult to distinguish flavour but I think this video may give you a general overview of the cigar itself. The guy in the red jacket pretty much sums it all up I think

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_T9OqQ6WCM

I have to saw it wasn't very pleasant, taste wise and the draw was very tight felt as though it was smoking it through a straw.

Also for some strange reason it left my tongue feeling like I was just scolded by molten lava! If someone has ever experienced that sensation feel free to share (PS I was smoking quite slowly 1 puff every couple of minutes just to cool my tongue down)

[TJCoro]

Bad Stock!

Umm. This whole line has be getting very bad reviews...even before that hit the general market. I would be bloody pissed off at the bloke that recommended this (ahem...) puro.

But that's just me.



Names Perro, el Perro, and I only smoke Habano's finest!

[JimJamYaHa]

Umm. This whole line has be getting very bad reviews...even before that hit the general market. I would be bloody pissed off at the bloke that recommended this (ahem...) puro.

But that's just me.



Names Perro, el Perro, and I only smoke Habano's finest!

I am, I tried my best to avoid him at all cost and was waiting for the regular lady but she was with another customer and I got lumped with useless and his rubbish suggestion. He just picked the thing that was closest to him at the time I reckon

Git!!

[JOAO LA PEZ]

My experience is that smoking outside in the weather we have been having of late is a non starter, cold dry wind seems to kill off the cigar experience, better in the garden shed with a heater and a nice drink, HEAVEN.

[Deano]

Had a few Open's in Cuba, when it was the only thing being sold at a bar.

They weren't terrible, there was just not much to them. Totally avoid if you can.

[nicwing]

I've smoked a couple of Open's that were (by then) over a year old and they were much better than they were at the launch, but then I am happier with a lighter cigar than some here who prefer to get a bit of a beating from a cigar.

Having said all that, for a reputable store like Selfridges (where the cigar concession is run by JJ Fox), I would expect them to want to know if you weren't happy with a cigar they recommended.

My suggestion is to go back and talk to Magali who manages the store. I can't guarantee it but any decent store would give you another stick if it was their recommendation in the first place.

[Big_T_UK]

Oh dear god, the Open.

Well speak to the people who went to the launch event at Devonshire Sq, like me and Jimmeh and I am sure a few others here. The Open range was not getting a lot of love at that event. If people had brought cigars with them they resorted to smoking those instead. I recall a good number of abandoned Opens lying around. The event and the cigars continues to get sniggers when discussed in many circles.

Now I have heard, to my surprise, that they have gotten better. I do not know if they mean with age or later production cigars but I have not revisited them myself. It took me a long time to finish the three or four sticks we got on the launch night. I smoked the smallest last, at my local hospital fete, it somehow seemed appropriate. If I do not like a cigar I will periodically revisit it to see if it or my palette has changed. I just cannot bring myself to buy one of these again when there are so many other options out there.

Avoid but maybe revisit once in a blue moon.