My elusive Montecristo

Hi guys, thanks for allowing me on-board.

I’m sure it’s a long-shot, but I was hoping someone here could help this newbie track down an elusive cigar.

In 2004 (during the Bluesfest weekend) I went to the House of Blues for dinner and a show. After dinner, the cigar/cigarette girl stopped by with her tray of goodies. She had a Montecristo for $25 and a Cohiba for $35. Very expensive but I figure, what the hell, and bought a Montecristo. Turns out to be (by far) the best cigar I’ve ever had! At the time, I was not aware of the many sub-brands that were under the Montecrist label, so it didn’t occur to me to ask the girl for more info.

Was it Cuban, D.R., or something else? I have no idea. I know Cubans are illegal here in the U.S., but who knows, maybe there’s some legal loophole that allowed them. Also, I’m sure the girl must have had a substantial price mark-up.

Anyway, long-shot as it might be, I thought it might be worth asking if any of you may know more details of the cigars sold by HoB in 2004. Maybe you were there too. It's certainly worth a try to ask.

Welcome from CO. My guess is that they were not Cuban. I would think it would be very risky for a business to openly sell Cubans. Especially a place as large and well known as the House of Blues. You could always call and ask the place or swing by. Either way, I don't think they were Cuban.

What color was the band?

Which HoB? Where?

Without any doubt at all, they upsold a DR brand. They might have put their own label on it, they might have commissioned a special blend rolled for them, you might have been drunk, but without a doubt, it's not a Cuban cigar.

Those places have tons of things to worry about the cops are watching them for - security from drunken patrons, underage kids getting in, security for the band - to be brazenly selling Cuban cigars in the open there.

Sorry you had to pay $25 for a good smoke, but at least it was a good smoke!

I agree that it is highly unlikely that it was a Cuban; too much risk for them to put their business on the line like that.

I don't recall anything about the band. That was a time before I started paying much attention to those things. It was quite dark in there anyway.

It was the HoB in Chicago. I have not been able to pay them another visit since, but I did email them and received no response. It is possible that it was a custom blend for them, but I certainly was not drunk. I wanted to buy another before I left but could not justify the cost.

I've tried several Cuban and DR Montes of the same size and shape since, but none have ever come close to matching the flavor. Although it is way too expensive to be an everyday smoke for me, if I could find it, I would gladlly buy one or maybe two per month. I may never find it again but it sure will be fun trying.

Perhaps you should have one or four drinks before trying the various montes to see if it rings a bell then.