Montecristo Open Day

I spent one day this week in the welcoming environment of the Cigar Terrace at Number Ten Manchester Street Hotel.

Armed with an Americano, wifi, walk-in humidor and my iPad, I was all set up and ready for meetings by 11am.

It's a great place for a catch up drink or business meeting; on a fine day, it's a pleasure to stroll down New Cavendish Street from Euston for 20 minutes or so before the welcome sight of the Number Ten fluttering flag greets you as you round the corner.

From there it's the work of but a moment to be ensconced on the warm, friendly terrace. Unusually for me, as I tackled the first emails of the day, I fired up a Montecristo Open - the Master to be precise.

I say unusually, because I've not tried the line before. I wasn't impressed with this one either.

It started dull and bitter and got worse. I discarded it with a third left.

It was incredibly boring, and while it's unfair to judge a cigar based on one stick, a Havana of this price point should be better.

I bumped into Dan from Hunters & Frankau and by an amazing coincidence, he recommended I try another Open - this time the Regatta. I told him of my disappointing experience earlier, but to his credit he stuck to his guns and won me over by telling me Simon Chase had been known to wax lyrical about this cigar. Sold.

I'm pleased to report it was a much better smoke; mild, yes, but flavoursome and with a really superb draw. Good daytime smoke. Thanks Dan.

Just goes to prove you don't know 'til you try...

M.