Montecristo No. 2 Review

Overview

There are cigars that merely signify status, and then there are those that define it. The Montecristo No. 2 belongs decisively to the latter category. Since its debut in 1935, this Torpedo—or Piramide, in the lexicon of Habanos S.A.—has served as the unchallenged benchmark for the vitola worldwide. Rolled entirely by a single torcedor at Havana’s historic H. Upmann factory (the former La Corona), the No. 2 is a masterclass in patience and precision. The tapered head, one of the most technically demanding elements to execute consistently, is not a mere flourish; it is a functional engineering marvel that concentrates the draw and gradually intensifies the smoking experience as the ring gauge narrows. The wrapper is a Colorado-hued Habano Claro from the Vuelta Abajo region, displaying a silky sheen and fine tooth that promise complexity before the first flame touches the foot.

Under that wrapper lies a blend of Vuelta Abajo fillers—Seco, Ligero, and Volado—each aged a minimum of two years at the factory before assembly. This patient post-production maturation is standard for Habanos, but the No. 2 rewards additional cellar time with an almost alchemical transformation. In its youth, the cigar offers a refined opening of toasted almonds, white pepper, and sweet cedar, carried by a creaminess that is the hallmark of well-aged Cuban leaf. As the smoke progresses into the second third, the core complexity emerges: rich roasted coffee, dark leather, and dried stone fruits—fig and apricot—layer over that persistent creaminess, while a subtle barnyard character, the unmistakable signature of Havana terroir, threads through the smoke. By the final third, the intensity deepens into dark cocoa, espresso grounds, and a savory umami quality—cured meat, black olive, and a hint of anise—before finishing with extraordinary length and a sweet, woody conclusion that lingers for minutes.

Construction at La Corona is nothing short of exemplary. The draw through a hand-cut or punched piramide head is firm to perfect, producing dense, cool smoke. The burn is typically even, holding a firm, white-to-light-grey ash that stays intact past an inch; minor touch-ups may be needed past the midpoint, but this is a rarity rather than a rule. The Montecristo No. 2 demands a commitment of at least 75 to 90 minutes, and it repays that investment with a depth of flavor that evolves with every third. It is not a casual smoke; it is a contemplative ritual, best enjoyed in a dedicated afternoon or post-dinner session without interruption.

Aficionados regard the No. 2 as the cigar that converted a generation of skeptics into Habanos devotees. It remains the first item serious collectors reach for when they wish to demonstrate what Cuban tobacco is truly capable of. An unaged example is pleasant; a box rested eight to ten years is transcendent. This is the piramide against which all others are measured—full stop. Whether paired with an aged Cuban ron añejo, a sherried Speyside Scotch, or a structured Rioja Gran Reserva, the Montecristo No. 2 offers an experience that is as authoritative as it is unforgettable.