Yesterday night after supper - had a nice marinated filet mignon - I went for a Edmundo Dantes El Conde 109 for the first time. I had been waiting for this moment for some time and with some trepidation.

I had the cigar in hand, clipped and ready to light, pondering : will it be as good as James said, or as bad as Steve implied (especially since it came from the same box as his) ?

Clic! Hiss! The blue flame lit the foot.

From the start, cocoa was the name of the game. A nice burn and draw, plenty (but not too much) smoke. Hints of molasses and leather, on a back ground of rich tobacco flavors.

Then, about a third along the way, it happened. The flavors seemed to become blander. Something like a below average Monte 4... Good, but not outstanding.

At the halfway point : burn issues. I had to relight it big time but, I must admit, it came back to life. For another inch or two, an explosion of flavor : in the spirit of the first third, but with more intensity.

This was too good to last, it began to have burn issues again as I got into the last third. After trying to revive it twice, and it dying away almost immediately and starting to sour from the heat and puffing, I let it die, not sure if I was feeling deception or a mitigated satisfaction.

Overall score : 88.

I'll wait at least 2 years before lighting another.

I had the same burn issue with the one I bought and smoked at the LCDH in Cancun. I thought it might be due to over-humidification, but I guess not, if you've had it in your humidor (I imagine 65%?) for quite a while.

quote:

Originally posted by Boknows:
...if you've had it in your humidor (I imagine 65%?) for quite a while.

Yup, 65% for about 3 months.

Pretty much the same experience I had, the taste was way off and constant re-lighting.

The most underwhelming Cuban cigar I have ever had.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Cohen:
Pretty much the same experience I had, the taste was way off and constant re-lighting.

The most underwhelming Cuban cigar I have ever had.

How did the band look ? Maybe it was a f.......

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Cohen:
Pretty much the same experience I had, the taste was way off and constant re-lighting.

The most underwhelming Cuban cigar I have ever had.

Yeah, maybe it's the box we got them from... I dunno. I have a cabinet of Sig IVs from 2003 that's only now becomming outstanding. Then again, you have James and others raving about them now. (sigh) Got 3 left. I'll probably trade one or two and keep the other(s)for 2011.

quote:

Originally posted by martin mick:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Cohen:
Pretty much the same experience I had, the taste was way off and constant re-lighting.

The most underwhelming Cuban cigar I have ever had.

How did the band look ? Maybe it was a f.......

No doubt on the authenticity. Just a "black sheep" box, it seems.

God, I wish I could use that excuse for these sorry ass cigars. But alas no, the cigar construction, the bands, and box are perfect.

quote:

Originally posted by martin mick:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Cohen:
Pretty much the same experience I had, the taste was way off and constant re-lighting.

The most underwhelming Cuban cigar I have ever had.

How did the band look ? Maybe it was a f.......

I don't know i bought 5 at LCDH in T.J i have smoked 3 of the 5 they are all excellent no burn issues 1/3 of the way in the cigar explodes with flavor.Quite honestly it lasts the whole cigar towards the end it is so intense you can not taste it. Its sort of like when someone makes a sandwich with too much stuff on it and the sandwich tastes like nothing. The flavors mute each other out IMHO but that does not happen till its at the nub.
Of the ones i smoked If i had to rate them i would say 93 out of a possible 100 points.

this is given me the creeps guys...

i still haven't tried mine yet... i was hoping that Steve's experience was due to the cigar not having rested enough after transit.. but if flash is still having the same issues now... and it has been almost 3 months since we split that box...

i should fire one up over over the next few weeks.. I'll keep you guys posted

Hmmmm!! I bought a few yesterday in LCDH. After reading your experiences, methinks I'll let them rest comfortably in the humi for awhile, 6 months at least.

I never tryed one yet.

I have a couple, one that has been in the marinating spot in my humi that I will try next week and I will post my impression.

I've smoked one & it was one of the best cigars I ever smoked. Should only get better. I have a couple more singles to sample, but the box will not be touched for a couple years.

quote:

Posted May 19, 2008 11:05 AM Hide Post
I've smoked one & it was one of the best cigars I ever smoked. Should only get better. I have a couple more singles to sample, but the box will not be touched for a couple years.

I agree bass Man when of the best cigars i have smoked this year.

I am constrained to point out again (in my opinion of course) that it is foolish to judge a cigar based on a single sample. It is even more foolish to judge it on a single sample smoked within 30 days of shipping. Finally, it is foolish to judge a cigar based on any number of examples within the first couple of years of the box date.

Accordingly, I will make no personal judgments on the Edmundo Donte 109, pro or con, for at least a couple of years.

Steve Cohen's condemnation is, for me at least, meaningless.

... even though I got screwed on the price... I dont for one minute regret the purchase of my boxes.
Even if they re-released them I wouldn't shed a tear. Re-releases can only replicate the shape - they cant regrow that same vintage of tobacco that was used.

quote:

Originally posted by PaulMx:
Hmmmm!! I bought a few yesterday in LCDH. After reading your experiences, methinks I'll let them rest comfortably in the humi for awhile, 6 months at least.

What is the availablity of these smokes in Mexico City and what is the going rate per box?

quote:

Originally posted by VanFittyFi:
I am constrained to point out again (in my opinion of course) that it is foolish to judge a cigar based on a single sample. It is even more foolish to judge it on a single sample smoked within 30 days of shipping. Finally, it is foolish to judge a cigar based on any number of examples within the first couple of years of the box date.

Accordingly, I will make no personal judgments on the Edmundo Donte 109, pro or con, for at least a couple of years.

Steve Cohen's condemnation is, for me at least, meaningless.

Be constrained all you like... Gee! What's the minimum time before which you can talk about a cigar ?

The point is, totally notwithstanding the "youngness" of the cigar, that you have 2 different POVs on the EL Conde.

James Suckling, David Savona and others are saying it is great right now. (Perhaps you could call them meaningless also, not just Steve)...

Then you have Steve, me and yet others who are unimpressed and perplexed.

So, what is it? Why? A bad box? Anyway, IMHO, these are legitimate immediate questions...

Yes, I do think it is a bad box. I traded one of my Dantes with a guy in Norway, and the Dante he sent me was very oily and aromatic.

Our Dantes were dry and almost dull brown, with minimal aroma. For a cigar that is this expensive, every damn box had better be a winner.

In hindsight, Sal should have sent the box back.

I am sure he will have the same review comments when he tries one.