At Monte-Carlo Club, we have always held one firm belief: a great cigar should not be judged by its name, its band or its reputation, but by the experience it delivers once lit.

It was in this spirit that several of our cigars were submitted to blind tastings organised by the Cercle Genevois du Cigare. The participants knew neither the brand, the cigar’s origin nor its price. Their perceptions alone mattered.

Unanimously Recognised Craftsmanship

The first conclusion was unequivocal.

From one tasting to the next, the scores for draw and combustion remained remarkably high. Participants described a cigar that was easy to smoke, with an even burn and excellent construction.

These qualities are essential. They reflect the expertise of the master artisans who hand-roll each of our cigars in Estelí, Nicaragua.

An Elegance True to Our Philosophy

The participants described a cigar that was balanced, approachable and never aggressive.

Our ambition has never been to create an ostentatious or excessively powerful cigar. Above all, we seek elegance, precision and tasting pleasure. The results of these tests show that this philosophy was clearly perceived.

A comment that particularly touched us

During these tastings, several participants spontaneously mentioned a sensation that gave us particular pleasure.

Without knowing the cigar’s brand, some said that its mouthfeel reminded them of certain Cuban cigars.

To be perfectly clear, Monte-Carlo Club has never claimed to rival the great Cuban houses, which have written an important chapter in the history of cigars.

Our identity is different.

Our cigars are Nicaraguan, crafted according to our own vision, with their own personality and balance.

Yet hearing, during a completely blind tasting, that certain sensations recalled the elegance and texture often associated by enthusiasts with the finest Cuban cigars was an encouragement of which we are particularly proud.

An Aromatic Identity Taking Shape

The participants consistently identified notes of:

• Coffee,
• Wood,
• Pepper,
• Subtle earthy nuances.

This consistency matters.

It shows that, across the different batches tasted, Monte-Carlo Club is already developing a genuine and recognisable flavour signature.

Continuing to Evolve

The blind tastings also highlighted an area for further development.

Several participants expressed a desire for an even richer aromatic expression, with greater complexity and more evolution throughout the tasting.

This is precisely the kind of feedback we seek.

At Monte-Carlo Club, we believe that a cigar is never definitively complete. Each harvest, each fermentation and each blend offers an opportunity to progress while remaining true to our identity.

The Finest Reward

Beyond the scores and statistics, one clear truth emerged from these tastings.

The participants discovered a cigar whose brand and origin they did not know. Many praised its craftsmanship, balance and the pleasure it offered.

Then came the moment to reveal the brand.

Some recognised it. Others discovered it for the first time. But each participant had already created a personal story around the cigar, uninfluenced by its name, reputation or origin.

For a young house such as Monte-Carlo Club, there is perhaps no finer recognition.

Ultimately, the value of a cigar lies neither in its band nor in the prestige of its name, but in the emotion it awakens in the person enjoying it.

And that is precisely the emotion we strive to create, cigar after cigar.

Because at Monte-Carlo Club, each moment tells a story.