Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

I don’t know how long I’ve had this aluminum-tubed stick, but it’s probably been a year or more. And, to be honest, I wasn’t sure where it fit in with Montecristo’s seemingly infinite number of lines. With a little research, I think I’ve got that down: Montecristo Platinum La Baie Tubes, a five and 1/2 inch stick with a 44 ring gauge. The Platinum line is promoted as a fuller bodied Montecristo, but it would be difficult to prove with this stogie. The first few draws were great: a warm, thick tobacco taste with no bite and a light finish. Unfortunately, all that disappeared quickly, replaced by a relatively bland taste for about half of the cigar. Some coffee and oak notes played in and out for a bit, but they, too, were brief. Overall, not a bad cigar – but not one to seek out either.

Verdict = Hold.

-George E

Tags: cigars