The price of a cigar doesn't mean squat

[Jimmeh]

Last night I smoked three cigars in celebration of the upcoming Christmas; partly because I wouldn't be able to have one today but mostly so I could enjoy a Christmas cigar with Big_T. Firstly I smoked a Dantes Edmundo El Conde 109 (Montecristo) RE Mexico. To start it tasted fantastic. Hints of almonds and quite leathery, this soon quietened down and was just a good cigar the rest of the way through- building in strength toward the end. Not at all a typical Montecristo. I would consider this cigar almost priceless as they are extremely difficult to get a hold of these days. But if I were to put a tag on them I would say ?30-40? Others might disagree?



I followed this, after some food, with a BHK 52. The BHK line I find to be good cigars but they are just that. Nothing special. I enjoy the 56 a lot but I think I prefer the Siglo VI Grand Reserva- but in general, Cohiba is just not for me. But the BHK52 is about ?32 UK RRP.

My final cigar of the evening was a Ramon Allones Allones Superiores. Wow. What an awesome cigar. The experience I had with it mirrors Big_Ts experience with it, which is unsurprising as our palates are in line with Cuban cigars (only) and so I was expecting to enjoy it! And hell did I! UK RRP ?14. It's just my kinda cigar

I like what I like- price doesn't dictate what excites my palate. Moral of the story- try everything you can, be it low end or high end, whatever the price- none of this "can't justify that shit" save up and just see if you can't have the best cigar of your damn life or find out for sure if that cheap box of partagas D4s is where it's at for you. You live once and once only.

[daverave999]

I'm certainly guilty of "can't justify that shit" but agree that you need to try these things before you can pass judgement on them.
What I do bare in mind is that when I first started smoking cigars, they ALL seemed hugely expensive. I think I'll splash out on a few upmarket sticks in the New Year to see what the fuss is about. I didn't think the Monte Sublime or RyJ Duke were anything special but I'm willing to reconsider! I may sound like a heathen but I've still not found a cigar that surpasses the Boli RC, to my taste.

[Jimmeh]

We're all guilty of it at some point! The best way to look it is like having a pile of winning lottery tickets; the one in your hand is for ?1000. But there could be one for ?10million in the pile- you need to look. It's pure greed. Love it.

[Aussiewaz]

The price of a cigar doesn't mean squat

Indeed it doesnt when you consider we all have differing palates. BTW 20 to 40 UK Pounds for a cigar is highway robbery unless they are HTF or LE's. Yes I know your Tobacco Tax is basically the same as ours but that is still a massive mark up. The Edmundo Dantes is not a Montecristo either BTW.

[stephan]

Jimmeh, good point. Over the past few days I saw the 'walk in humidors' in London full of people determined to buy their loved one(s) something based on price. Siglo VIs flying off the shelves in Selfridges whilst a box of Hoyo des Dieux 1997 sits humbly in the corner...

[Big_T_UK]

It is a Montecristo. To quote:

A "Montecristo" released under the Edmundo Dante brand name for Mexico, because of trademark conflicts.

The name is even a reference to the Montecristo name, both names being taken from the same novel. "The Count of Montecristo" by Alexander Dumas has the character Edmundo Dantes in it.

[Aussiewaz]

To Quote:

It may look like a Montecristo at first glance, but don't be fooled.

This is the Edmundo Dantes El Conde 109, the new Cuban regional-edition cigar rolled exclusively for Mexico. True, the band resembles Montecristo and the name alludes to a character in The Count of Montecristo, but the Edmundo Dantes is its own brand altogether. It is the result of a collaboration between Habanos S.A. and Max Gutmann, Habanos importer for Mexico.

From Cigar Insider on release.

[Big_T_UK]

It was commissioned by Mr. Gutmann as it is a regional release, all regional releases are commissioned by somebody be it Mr. Chase for the UK or whomever. It was mostly considered a Montecristo blend but was made in the H. Upmann factory.

[Aussiewaz]

It was commissioned by Mr. Gutmann as it is a regional release, all regional releases are commissioned by somebody be it Mr. Chase for the UK or whomever. It was mostly considered a Montecristo blend but was made in the H. Upmann factory.

Exactly. Montes are rolled by Monte not Upmann. Just because something is "considered" to be true does not make it so. Who blended it, was it Montecristos blenders? I think not as it does not wear a Monte band and the fluer de lise is not trademarked.

[Big_T_UK]

Not sure, I will ask Colin Ganley, he should know.

[Aussiewaz]

Not sure, I will ask Colin Ganley, he should know.

Good idea. Post up his reply if you could.

[Lascaux]

had my last dantes today and sadly it fell short, it smoked REALLY light, lighter than the others I had before, was still nice but didn't blow me away as the others did

[Big_T_UK]

Lascaux,

How about the review of the cigars you had in Teddington?

[Jimmeh]

It is a Montecristo. To quote:

A "Montecristo" released under the Edmundo Dante brand name for Mexico, because of trademark conflicts.

The name is even a reference to the Montecristo name, both names being taken from the same novel. "The Count of Montecristo" by Alexander Dumas has the character Edmundo Dantes in it.

I know it is a monte- I said so further up. I meant that it is no a typical monte.... I wouldn't put it in line with another Montecristo.

[Aussiewaz]

I know it is a monte- I said so further up. I meant that it is no a typical monte.... I wouldn't put it in line with another Montecristo.

Not sure, I will ask Colin Ganley, he should know.

I'd like to see this opinion as he has the knowledge.