Hey, I just dropped by my local Holy Smokes and checked out the Monte's. You are right, the date is on the bottom of the master-box. If I were you, considering what Monte's cost here in Canada, I would probably let them sit in your Humidor/Coolidor so you get the most for your money. I have bought a lot of "green" smokes from Holy Smokes in the past, a few months usually do them good.