Montecristo Loose

[Ulsterman]

Just cracked it open - expires this month which surprised me.

The smell is very heavy on the Juniper and I'm not particularly a fan of Juniper unless it's in a curry or Gin.
It also tastes quite strongly of Juniper - the nicotine hit is pleasant but doesn't last long. The taste towards the end is bitter - IMO an unpleasant bitterness.
The tobacco is drier than other los I've tried.

To be honest, I was expecting something special from this snus for the price and I didn't get it so there's not a lot more to write really.
Comparing this to Phantom Classic Brown - Phantom wins on all fronts and the Montecristo doesn't last as long as the Phantom - nowhere near.

So to all you folks in the States - you're not missing much.

Overall impression? ------- disappointing.

[chadizzy1]

I love Montecristo Portion, haven't tried the los yet.

[Ulsterman]

The nicotine delivery is quite good though although in relation to other snus - a little short lived. What I do like about the delivery is that it's quick.

It's not a bad snus but it doesn't deserve the price tag. I wouldn't have said that it's any better than other los out there.

[shikitohno]

I actually rather like the Montecristo lös. I don't get any juniper taste off it, but a very strong citrus one. For me, it holds together reasonably well, as long as I don't try drinking with it in. Tastes okay, and the nicotine lasts about 45 minutes to an hour for me. Don't know, perhaps you got an off can. I don't think it's something I'd order a roll of, but it does work as a nice treat for me.

[whalen]

I am no fan of Juniper, and I have gone thru about 5 cans of Monte los, I never got a juniper taste. in fact, it is so close to Gottsland Gul los (Yellow) that it is a 90% match. The Cuban tobacco gives it a some what strong bitter finish. I like it but do not find it worth the hassle of getting it here in the states.

[Ulsterman]

I suppose there is a possiblility that it might be off as the expiry date is this month.
Was your tobacco quite dry?

The smell and taste is definately a very strong juniper.

[whalen]

No! It has a rather moist texture, down right juicy! Bad can I bet. Bummer!

[Ulsterman]

Yep - bad can. Mine's as dry as a bone and the expiry date was 03/10/09.

Armed with this information I'll order another as a good can might still impress me.

Thanks guys.

[tom502]

Just dump it into a bowl, and chop it up with a spoon and add a few drops of water as needed, then put it back.

[captncaveman]

Like stated Gottsland Gul is almost the same snus. I prefer the Gottsland myself. If you have not tried Gottsland yellow i would highly suggest getting a can alongside the Montecristo.

I have purchased rolls of each, i do enjoy me some Monte when the mood strikes. Every can i had was very moist!

[bigbuyer]

I really like Montecristo los.
I have stocked up so that it is easier to just get it here once in a while.

[justintempler]

That's bergamot you are tasting which is a citrus fruit.

Cuban tobacco doesn't hold moisture well which explains why it doesn't pack like Skruf or General.

I love the stuff. It's the way I start every day with a cup of coffee. 8)

[Ulsterman]

Justin - you could be right. Even though I've gone through tonnes of snus I'm not really sure what bergamot is but this could very well be it - it does still smell of juniper though. Could bergamot be mistaken for juniper??

Maybe it isn't a bad can? I'm confused. Nevertheless - it's just OK.

and yes that bitterness would go very very nicely with an espresso.

.......and captncaveman - I think I've got some got yellow in the fridge so it'll be my next can.

[justintempler]

Could bergamot be mistaken for juniper??
.

I have no idea. I not familiar enough with juniper to know what it is supposed to taste like . :shock:

3 of my top 5 Montecristo, LD and Camel (JTI) are bergamot flavoured.
I think it's the bergamot+cuban tobacco combination that might be confusing you.

I hand bake my prillas and Montecristo is the only one that leaves watery brown juice on my fingertips. (finger licking good) I pinch it up in the can and form it between the thumbs and forefingers. It does take a lot of pressure to form a prilla. If it was any other type of lös it would be a rock but it works for Montecristo.

[lxskllr]

I'd say bergamot could be mistaken for juniper on some level. A strong bergamot as is in Montecristo has an almost evergreen flavor. I think it's closer to pine, but I could see someone getting juniper out of it.

I like the Montecristo lös a lot. For day to day use, I prefer Gotland Gul, but the Montecristo makes a nice break while staying with the same flavor theme.