You are here:

Cigars/Montecristo #2 bands prior 2002

Advertisement

Expert: - 8/15/2010


Question
Just received a box of Monti 2's from 2002 and was looking at the bands (color) compared to other Monti's I have in the humi from 2003 and beyond.  the 02 band is more of a flat color and appears to be more a purple hue, rather than the tan brown of the newer stuff.

Answer
Hi Jay,

This is normal.  Prior to 2003, Montecristo bands were known to slightly vary in shade.  Some were medium brown while some were a pale brown, almost purple colour.  This was due to the paper that was used for the cigar bands which is why Habanos switched to glossy bands shortly after.  The Montecristo cigar bands prior to 2003 were not always perfect and had been known to vary in colour due to the production quality and age of the paper.  Because the pre-2003 Montecristo bands were not laminated, they were also able to become darker as they absorbed the natural oils from aging cigars.

Hope this helps.  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James

Cigars

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

James Yee

Expertise

My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".

Experience

I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.

Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)


Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.