AshMap
Overview
There is a particular kind of cigar smoker who seeks not the loudest voice in the room but the most articulate one — and for that smoker, the Montecristo Especial No. 2 has long been Havana's most persuasive argument for restraint. While its more famous sibling, the Montecristo No. 2, commands the spotlight and the collector's humidor space, the Especial No. 2 operates in a quieter register entirely. This is the Laguito No. 2 format — a six-inch panatela-style pyramid, slender at 38 ring gauge at the head and tapering to a generous 52 at the closed foot — rolled at El Laguito, the same storied factory that produces Cohiba. The Especial line has always been something of an insider's secret within the Montecristo portfolio, a sub-series that never received the commercial push of the numbered line but has quietly accumulated a devoted following among smokers who understand that elegance is not the same thing as mildness.
Lighting the tapered foot is an act of anticipation. The first draws deliver creamy cedar and a bright flash of white pepper — not the aggressive cayenne of a young Nicaraguan, but the refined, almost floral heat of well-cured Vuelta Abajo tobacco. Dry roasted almonds arrive next, their nutty warmth underscored by a faint floral note that hovers at the edges of perception like a memory of orange blossom. The draw is deliberately restricted by the slim ring gauge, and this is not a flaw but a feature: the concentration of smoke across the palate is intense and focused, each puff delivering a dense, almost perfumed cloud rather than a voluminous one. Earth tones are present but restrained, providing a clean mineral backbone that keeps the experience grounded without weighing it down. The finish of the first third is long and dry, with a whisper of salinity that speaks to the coastal soils of Pinar del Río.
The midpoint represents a significant deepening. Toasted oak and aged leather emerge as the dominant notes, but they are wrapped in a pronounced honey-like sweetness that is the hallmark of properly aged Cuban tobacco — a quality that cannot be rushed and cannot be faked. A subtle dried fruit note appears, golden raisin rather than the darker fig or prune tones one might find in a Bolívar, and it is joined by fresh espresso and a mere suggestion of cocoa. The complexity here is not the chaotic complexity of a cigar trying to do too much; it is the disciplined complexity of a blend that knows exactly what it is and refuses to overplay its hand. The smoke evolves with each puff, shifting and revealing new facets without ever becoming aggressive or disjointed. This is the Especial No. 2 at its finest — a cigar that rewards attention with subtlety rather than spectacle.
The final third intensifies without abandoning its essential character. Roasted coffee and dark spice become more pronounced, and the cedar and leather that have been present throughout assert themselves more firmly. The creamy texture that has defined the entire smoke persists to the very end, a remarkable feat of blending consistency. A long, dry finish with fine tannins lingers on the palate for minutes after the cigar is set down. Strength ticks upward — you feel it in the chest and the back of the throat — but it never overwhelms. This remains a medium-bodied cigar right to the nub, a testament to the balance that El Laguito's torcedores achieve with this format. The burn line is sharp and even throughout, producing a dense, silver-white ash that holds firm well past the inch mark. The slim ring gauge demands a measured, unhurried draw; experienced smokers will appreciate the discipline it requires, while novices may find it more restrictive than a standard vitola. This is a cigar that asks you to slow down, and it gives you ample reason to do so.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban Habano — Vuelta Abajo, Pinar del Río — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban Habano — Vuelta Abajo |
| Filler | Cuban Habano — Vuelta Abajo region, primarily Seco and Ligero leaves, aged a minimum of two years |
| Country of Origin | Havana, Cuba — El Laguito factory (Fábrica El Laguito) |
| Vitola / Shape | Laguito No. 2 (Pyramid/Torpedo) |
| Size | 6.0 x 38 (tapered to approximately 52 at foot) |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $30–$45 per cigar (depending on market, duty, and region) |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Minimum two years on tobacco prior to rolling; benefits significantly from additional box aging of three to five years p |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The tapered foot delivers an immediate elegance — creamy cedar and white pepper open the palate, followed by dry roasted almonds and a faint floral note. The draw, slightly restricted by design given the slim ring gauge, concentrates the flavors beautifully into a refined, focused smoke. Earth tones are restrained but present, providing a clean, mineral backbone.
Second Third
The midpoint deepens considerably into toasted oak, aged leather, and a pronounced honey-like sweetness that is characteristic of well-aged Cuban tobacco. A subtle dried fruit note — think golden raisin rather than dark fruit — emerges alongside fresh espresso and a whisper of cocoa. Complexity here is the defining quality; the smoke evolves with each puff without becoming aggressive.
Final Third
The final third intensifies with more pronounced roasted coffee and dark spice while retaining the creamy texture that has defined the smoke throughout. Cedar and leather become more assertive, and a long, dry finish with fine tannins lingers. Strength ticks upward but never overwhelms — this remains a medium cigar right to the nub.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction at El Laguito is meticulous; the burn line is sharp and even, producing a dense, silver-white ash that holds firm past the inch mark. The slim ring gauge demands a measured, unhurried draw — experienced smokers appreciate the discipline it requires, though novices may find it more restrictive than a standard vitola.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Cuban-style rum — Havana Club 15-Year Gran Reserva or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva; alternatively a very light, floral single malt such as Glenmorangie Original 10-Year complements without overwhelming the delicate profile
Wine
A refined, aged white Burgundy — Meursault or Puligny-Montrachet — mirrors the cigar's creaminess and oak notes; for red lovers, a restrained Rioja Reserva (Tempranillo-dominant) is a classic Spanish pairing that won't eclipse the tobacco
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Ethiopian Yirgacheffe filter coffee — light-roasted to preserve floral and honey notes — echoes the cigar's own floral and honey characteristics with remarkable synergy
Who Should Smoke This?
Picture a seasoned smoker on a cool October evening, seated alone on a screened porch with a glass of aged rum and no particular place to be. This is someone who has smoked through the Montecristo numbered line, who knows the No. 2 intimately and respects it, but who has grown curious about what else the brand can do when it strips away the familiar. They have the palate to detect the golden raisin note in the second third and the patience to nurse a slim ring gauge without fighting it. They are not looking for a nicotine hit or a flavor bomb; they are looking for a conversation. The Especial No. 2 will give them that — a 60-to-75-minute dialogue that rewards undivided attention and punishes distraction. This is not a cigar for a party, a golf course, or a crowded lounge. It is a cigar for the quiet hour when the day has finally released its grip and the only thing left to do is pay attention.
Bottom Line
The Montecristo Especial No. 2 is the most underappreciated cigar in the Montecristo portfolio — a leaner, more disciplined expression of the same Vuelta Abajo terroir that makes the No. 2 famous, but with a focus and elegance that the larger vitola cannot match. If you find it with three or more years of box age, buy everything on the shelf. This is a cigar for smokers who have nothing left to prove and everything to savor.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montecristo Especial No. 2 a strong cigar?
No — it is rated Medium (3/5) on the strength scale. Physically, this means you will feel a gentle warmth in the chest and a mild tingle at the back of the throat, but you will not experience the nicotine rush or lightheadedness associated with full-bodied cigars. The strength does tick upward in the final third, but it never crosses into full-bodied territory. It is a cigar you can smoke on an empty stomach without regret, provided you take your time.
What does Montecristo Especial No. 2 taste like?
The first third opens with creamy cedar, white pepper, dry roasted almonds, and a faint floral note over a clean mineral backbone. The second third deepens into toasted oak, aged leather, honey-like sweetness, golden raisin, fresh espresso, and a whisper of cocoa. The final third intensifies with roasted coffee, dark spice, more assertive cedar and leather, and a long, dry finish with fine tannins. The creamy texture persists throughout.
How long does Montecristo Especial No. 2 take to smoke?
Expect a 60-to-75-minute smoke. The Laguito No. 2 format — 6.0 inches long with a 38 ring gauge at the head tapering to approximately 52 at the closed foot — is a slim, tapered pyramid that burns slowly and deliberately. The restricted draw concentrates the smoke and encourages a measured pace, so rushing it will not only diminish the experience but also risk overheating the tobacco.
What is the best pairing for Montecristo Especial No. 2?
An aged Cuban-style rum such as Havana Club 15-Year Gran Reserva or Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva is the classic choice — the caramel and vanilla notes in the rum mirror the honey sweetness in the cigar's second third without overwhelming the delicate floral and cedar notes. For a non-alcoholic option, a single-origin Ethiopian Yirgacheffe filter coffee, light-roasted to preserve its floral and honey characteristics, echoes the cigar's own flavor profile with remarkable synergy.
Is Montecristo Especial No. 2 good for beginners?
Honestly, no — not as a first cigar. The slim 38 ring gauge creates a deliberately restricted draw that requires experience to manage properly; novices may find it frustrating or may overdraw and overheat the tobacco. At $30–$45 per cigar, it is also an expensive experiment for someone still developing their palate. Beginners would be better served by a larger ring gauge Montecristo or a milder, more forgiving vitola before graduating to the Especial No. 2.
Where can I buy Montecristo Especial No. 2?
This is a prestige-tier Cuban cigar, so it is sold through authorized Habanos S.A. retailers, specialist tobacconists, and duty-free shops in markets where Cuban cigars are legally available. In the United States, where the Cuban embargo remains in effect, it can only be purchased legally outside U.S. jurisdiction. Given its limited production at El Laguito and its status as an underappreciated format, it is not always in stock — when you find it, buy it.
What is the price of Montecristo Especial No. 2?
Expect to pay $30–$45 per cigar, depending on the market, local duties, and region. Prices vary significantly: a cigar purchased in Havana will cost far less than one bought in London or Tokyo, where import taxes and retail markups are substantial. At this price point, it sits firmly in the prestige tier alongside other El Laguito-produced cigars.
Is Montecristo Especial No. 2 worth aging?
Yes — emphatically. The tobacco is already aged a minimum of two years before rolling, but the cigar benefits significantly from additional box aging of three to five years. During this time, the honey-like sweetness in the second third deepens, the white pepper in the first third softens into a more integrated spice, and the floral notes become more pronounced. The Colorado wrapper — medium-brown, silky, with a subtle natural sheen — will develop a fine plume of oils over time. If you have the patience and the humidor space, lay down a box and forget about it for a few years.
What wrapper does Montecristo Especial No. 2 use?
It uses a Cuban Habano wrapper from the Vuelta Abajo region of Pinar del Río, Cuba. The shade is Colorado — a medium-brown color with a silky texture, subtle natural sheen, and fine-grained appearance. This wrapper contributes much of the cigar's creamy texture, its cedar and honey notes, and its clean mineral backbone. Vuelta Abajo tobacco is widely considered the finest cigar tobacco in the world, and this wrapper is a prime example of why.
Where is Montecristo Especial No. 2 made?
It is hand-rolled at the El Laguito factory (Fábrica El Laguito) in Havana, Cuba — the same hallowed factory that produces Cohiba. El Laguito is renowned for its meticulous construction standards and its skilled torcedores, and the Especial No. 2 benefits from that expertise. The burn line is sharp and even, the ash is dense and silver-white, and the draw — while deliberately restricted by the slim ring gauge — is flawlessly constructed.