Camacho Havana Monarca

I just can't get over that these are rated this low. These really do start out as a pepper bomb, much like the straight corojo's, but then mellow out into a nice, spicy, toasty smoke. The Criollo wrapper does wonders for this smoke, and I grab them when ever possible. If you like Hondurans, this is a winner, without knocking you over like the other Camacho's can.

Below, ToroTom said he has some 02"s that are smoking pretty good. Today at my local, I noticed an unopened box of these on the top shelf. I asked the atendent to get it down so I could look at the date on the bottom, I messed myself. I could not wait to have him open them so I could dig in. They smelled great, but tasted like crap. Harsh and bland, now I know why they are still around. Im sure the guy was laughing, saying " I cant believe he's buying the 02's".

I bought some of these Camacho's with the new yellow bands. I tried three different cigars and all of them were too loaded with peppery taste. I had high hopes for this cigar and they were dashed.

Got a box dated 2002, and age has made pussycats of these feisty hound dogs. When fresh these are sharp tasting with lots of pepper and a leathery character. After five years they're smooth as BBC English. I expected Rumpole to rise up and snatch this robusto from my scorched fingertips. In a way I think they're better fresh, much more Camacho. There is still a hint of leather and just a remnant of spice left in the old ones, but mostly it's just fine smooth tobacco. There is some loss of character with age, but it is still very eloquent despite, or perhaps because, of its infirmity.

A solid medium bodied smoke with very good burn and draw. A good balance of spice with notes of coffee and just a bit of chocolate that came and went. I prefer the Corojo's and SLR's but enjoy these as well..

This is pretty good, cant compare to a CAO Criollo or JDNA Celebracion. Has somewhat of a creamy taste. Good burn, good amount of smoke. I would purchase them again. Smoked to the nub

As with all the other Camachos I've smoked, age is the key. Didn't age this one and can only it's middle of the road. The good flavors were still green and muddled. I did like the full body.

Somewhat off flavors, somewhat grassy and harsh. The oaky/leathery/toasty H3 was a far better smoke with better complexity. After a couple of these I gave up, it was either a bad box or just a bad size for the Havana.

I bought one of these when I was on a Camacho SLR binge about 6 months ago. Grabbed a few of the different Camacho blends at my local store and threw them into the humidor. My taste for the SLRs waned and I ended up ignoring the rest of the Camachos in my box as a result. Grabbed this one this evening after dinner on a lark and I must say that I am glad I did. While I hate to write a review based on one sample, I feel OK doing that if the stick is good; good cigars can be bad but bad cigars can never be good.

This was a good cigar. As another reviewer put it, a good balance of spice, fullness, coffee and leather and a touch of sweetness...much like a good Cuban but lacking their real full smooth creaminess. Smooth to the end, with increasing complexity and flavor as the smoke progressed. Construction was very nice and the burn was even and well-behaved. Nice even draw, and a good quantity of tasty smoke.

Based on this experience I will try a few more, and also the other Camachos that I have not tried, and I may end up buying a box. Definitely a solid contender in the sub-$4 range.

Impeccable overall appearance and construction, with very aromatic Habana 2000 wrapper. The cigar tastes good from the very first puff, and the burn and draw are exactly right and consistent throughout. The flavor is medium-to-full with very strong notes of wood (cedar?), pepper and some sweet spice; very close to a genuine Cuban, but without the richness and creaminess of the latter. The finish is not too long, but is very smooth. For the price, an absolute must.

I thought this to be a very good cigar. The wrapper had a spicy taste even before I lit it. When I did light it, wow...creamy taste from beginning to end. These cigars are box pressed and well constructed. They burn even and draw well. I think this cigar is a great value.

looks better than it tastes. strong but simple - only earth and salt flavors. can't see how these rate so high; they're like a young, squashed version of Bering.