Comparison; Duke, Monte Sublime, GE

[joeray]

I've smoked one or two Dukes, they were OK, and have smoked a couple of Monte Sublimes (EL) and enjoyed them over Dukes.

I was wondering for those who have smoked these, how does Monte Grand Edm. compare to Monte Sublimes or Duke.

thanks

[monkey66]

I think the Sublime and the Duke are the two best EL's since 07. The GE is a very nioce stick but the other two should be better.

The biggest issue seems to be inconsistency with the Dukes. This is not uncommon with recent EL's and the earlier sticks are often better (pick of the tobacco etc).

[Don Andres]

I'll have to disagree a bit with Monkey66. I love the GE, my favorite EL of 2010. Yes, they are a bit fresh, but the concentrated Monte power is intense. This is a far better tasting cigar than the Sublime, right now. The Sublime might take awhile to settle into a superior smoke.

The Dukes are large meaty R&J. If you enjoy the R&J profile, but often wished for a bigger, fatter stick, this is the cigar for you.

Cheers
Drew P

[whisky77]

Sublime for me.

Was lucky enough to smoke them all again last month. The Sublime is great now with some age and I have no doubts the GE will be similar given time.

Unfortunately I did not rate the Duke at all, the 2007 EL RYJ is a far better smoke.

[monkey66]

Funny how the Duke splits opinions, do we think this is a quality control / consistency problem or is it just taste?

The Dukes are large meaty R&J. If you enjoy the R&J profile, but often wished for a bigger, fatter stick, this is the cigar for you

Interesting Drew, If found the Wide Churchill a bigger, fatter R and J but the Duke a significant step up (as discussed here http://www.ukcigarforums.com/showthread.php?t=7503 )

[Don Andres]

Funny how the Duke splits opinions, do we think this is a quality control / consistency problem or is it just taste?




Interesting Drew, If found the Wide Churchill a bigger, fatter R and J but the Duke a significant step up (as discussed here http://www.ukcigarforums.com/showthread.php?t=7503 )

Although it is a mouthful, the WC is a much subtler version of the R&J tobacco, it resists the label of big & fat, and loud. I prefer to think of the WC as portly and elegant.

Cheers
Drew P

[Smallclub]

Funny how the Duke splits opinions, do we think this is a quality control / consistency problem or is it just taste?

Consistency problem IMHO; it has been the case with many ELs since 2007?
For instance, the first batch of Hoyo Regalos well above the production that followed?

?and, btw, I must have been lucky as the few Dukes I've had were delicious!