AshMap
Overview
There is a moment, about forty minutes into a Montecristo No. 2, when the smoke turns from a conversation into a monologue. The tapered head, that perfect, hand-twisted point, has been guiding the draw with a surgeon's precision, and now the palate is no longer tasting the cigar—it is listening to it. This is the piramide as a narrative device, a story that narrows to a point, and the No. 2 is its most eloquent author. It is not the loudest voice in the Habanos canon, nor the most exotic, but it is the most persuasive, the one that convinces you that Cuban tobacco is not just a product but a language. From the first light, the draw is a revelation—dense, cool, and impossibly refined, delivering a prelude of toasted almonds and sweet cedar that feels less like smoke and more like the scent of a well-kept library. The retrohale is a sharp, clean white pepper that clears the sinuses without ever feeling aggressive, a sign of the balance to come. This is a cigar that does not announce itself; it insinuates, and by the time you realize you are hooked, the ash has already grown a full inch, a firm, pale grey testament to the torcedor's craft.
The second third is where the No. 2 earns its reputation as the benchmark. The creaminess that dominated the opening—a hallmark of Vuelta Abajo leaf that has been allowed to rest—now serves as a canvas for deeper, more brooding colors. Roasted coffee, dark and bitter, emerges alongside a supple leather note that feels like an old armchair. But it is the dried stone fruits—fig and apricot—that provide the genius of the blend, a subtle sweetness that cuts through the earthiness without ever becoming cloying. There is a barnyard funk here, a whisper of the Havana terroir that some find challenging and others find addictive; it is the smell of a working farm after rain, grounding the cigar in a sense of place. As the burn line crosses the midpoint, the narrowing ring begins to concentrate these flavors, and the smoke becomes more viscous, more intent. The pepper on the retrohale fades to a memory, replaced by a gentle, building warmth that hints at the finale to come.
The final third is a masterclass in controlled intensity. The dark cocoa that has been lurking in the background steps forward, not as a sweet confection but as a bitter, almost savory powder. Espresso grounds join the chorus, and then comes the umami—a cured meat, black olive, and anise combination that is startling in its savory depth. This is not a cigar that fades; it crescendos, and the pepper returns on the retrohale, not as a young, sharp note but as a mature, integrated spice that lingers long after the smoke is exhaled. The finish is extraordinary, a sweet, woody echo that stays on the palate for minutes, a final argument that this is a cigar built for patience. An unaged No. 2 is a pleasant, if straightforward, smoke; a box rested for eight to ten years becomes something else entirely—a time capsule of a Cuba that is increasingly hard to find. It is the cigar that serious collectors reach for when they want to remember why they started this obsession, and it remains the standard by which all other piramides are judged, full stop.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban Vuelta Abajo — Habano Claro/Natural — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban Vuelta Abajo |
| Filler | Cuban Vuelta Abajo — Seco, Ligero, and Volado leaves; aged minimum two years at the H. Upmann factory |
| Country of Origin | Havana, Cuba — H. Upmann Factory (La Corona) |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo (Piramide) |
| Size | 6.12 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $35–$55 per cigar (LCDH and authorized Cuban retailers; grey market varies widely) |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Minimum two years post-production aging standard for Habanos S.A.; benefits significantly from an additional 3–5 years o |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The tapered head concentrates the draw beautifully from the first light, delivering a refined opening of toasted almonds, white pepper on the retrohale, and sweet cedar. Creaminess dominates early — a hallmark of well-aged Vuelta Abajo leaf — with background notes of fresh hay and mild floral tobacco.
Second Third
The core complexity of the No. 2 emerges here: rich roasted coffee, dark leather, and dried stone fruits — fig and apricot — layer over a persistent creaminess. Earthiness deepens without turning sharp, and a subtle barnyard character, classic Havana terroir, threads through the smoke. The piramide's narrowing ring begins to concentrate flavors further.
Final Third
The final third intensifies into dark cocoa, espresso grounds, and a savory umami quality — cured meat, black olive, and a hint of anise. Pepper reasserts itself on the retrohale without aggression. A properly aged No. 2 finishes with extraordinary length and a sweet, woody finish that lingers for minutes.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction from La Corona is exceptional — the draw through the hand-cut or punched piramide head is firm-to-perfect, producing dense, cool smoke. Burn is typically even with a firm, white-to-light-grey ash that holds well past an inch; minor touch-ups are occasionally needed past the midpoint.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Cuban ron añejo — Havana Club 15 Año or Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva; alternatively a well-sherried Speyside Scotch such as Glenfarclas 15 or Balvenie DoubleWood 17
Wine
Rioja Gran Reserva (Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay) or a structured Burgundy Premier Cru — the cigar's creaminess and earthiness mirror Pinot Noir's character remarkably well
Non-Alcoholic
Single-origin Cuban or Ethiopian natural-process coffee — long espresso or pour-over; the fruity and earthy notes in both align perfectly
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the collector who has a dedicated humidor, not a drawer, and who has already spent a decade chasing limited editions and regional exclusives. They are the person who, after a long week of board meetings and compromise, retreats to a quiet patio on a Sunday afternoon with a book they have read before and a glass of Havana Club 15. They do not need to be impressed; they need to be reminded. They have smoked enough to know that the No. 2 is not a novelty, but a touchstone. They will appreciate the way the first third unfolds with quiet confidence, the way the second third rewards their patience with layers of fig and leather, and the way the final third delivers a savory, umami-rich conclusion that feels earned. This cigar will not surprise them, but it will reaffirm why they fell in love with Habanos in the first place. It is a conversation with an old friend, not a first date.
Bottom Line
The Montecristo No. 2 is not just the benchmark for Cuban piramides; it is the reason the vitola exists. Smoke it with the respect it demands, and it will repay you with a session that redefines what a cigar can be. This is the one you measure all others against.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Montecristo No. 2 cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montecristo No. 2 a strong cigar?
No, it is rated Medium (3/5) on our strength scale. Physically, this means you will feel a gentle, warming presence on the palate and a mild nicotine buzz that builds slowly over the session, but it will never overwhelm or cause dizziness. It is a cigar of flavor intensity, not raw power, making it suitable for a long afternoon without a heavy meal.
What does Montecristo No. 2 taste like?
The flavor progression is a journey. The first third opens with toasted almonds, sweet cedar, and a white pepper retrohale over a dominant creaminess. The second third deepens into rich roasted coffee, dark leather, and dried fig and apricot, with a subtle barnyard earthiness. The final third intensifies to dark cocoa, espresso grounds, and a savory umami of cured meat and black olive, finishing with a sweet, woody linger.
How long does Montecristo No. 2 take to smoke?
Budget a minimum of 75 to 90 minutes. The Torpedo (Piramide) vitola, at 6.12 inches with a 52 ring gauge, is designed for a slow, deliberate smoke. The tapered head concentrates the draw, which naturally slows the burn, especially in the final third. This is not a cigar to rush; plan for a dedicated, uninterrupted session.
What is the best pairing for Montecristo No. 2?
For a spirit, an aged Cuban ron añejo like Havana Club 15 Año is the classic choice—its own notes of dried fruit and oak mirror the cigar's fig and cedar, while its sweetness cuts the coffee and leather. For wine, a Rioja Gran Reserva like Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay works beautifully; the wine's own earthy, vanilla-laced profile and structured tannins complement the cigar's creaminess and savory umami without overpowering it.
Is Montecristo No. 2 good for beginners?
Honestly, no. While the strength is Medium (3/5), the flavor profile is complex and demands attention to fully appreciate. At $35–$55 per cigar, it is a significant investment that a novice palate may not yet understand. A beginner would be better served starting with a milder, more straightforward Cuban like a H. Upmann Majestic before graduating to this. This is a cigar for those who have learned to taste, not just smoke.
Where can I buy Montecristo No. 2?
Your only guarantee of authenticity is to purchase from a La Casa del Habano (LCDH) franchise or an authorized Habanos S.A. retailer. These are the official, government-licensed stores that sell at the fixed Cuban price. Avoid grey market sources, as the risk of counterfeit or improperly stored cigars is high. For the best selection and age, consider a well-established LCDH in a major city or a trusted online retailer that specializes in Cuban cigars with a verifiable provenance.
What is the price of Montecristo No. 2?
Expect to pay between $35 and $55 per cigar at an LCDH or authorized Cuban retailer. Prices can vary slightly depending on the country's tax structure and the current global market. Grey market prices fluctuate wildly and are often lower, but the risk of receiving a fake or a poorly handled cigar is not worth the savings. The price reflects the premium Vuelta Abajo leaf and the demanding hand-rolling process.
Is Montecristo No. 2 worth aging?
Absolutely, and it is one of the few cigars where aging is not just recommended but transformative. While it ships with a minimum of two years of post-production age, an additional 3–5 years in your humidor will allow the flavors to meld and the sharp edges to soften. The creaminess deepens, the pepper becomes more integrated, and the sweet, woody finish lengthens considerably. A No. 2 rested for 8–10 years from the box date is a transcendent experience, revealing layers of dried fruit and leather that are simply not present in a younger example.
What wrapper does Montecristo No. 2 use?
It uses a Cuban Vuelta Abajo — Habano Claro/Natural wrapper, specifically in a Colorado shade. This means the leaf is a medium golden-brown with a silky sheen and fine tooth. This wrapper is the primary source of the cigar's sweet cedar and toasted almond notes, and its natural oils contribute to the creamy texture of the smoke. The Colorado shade is a sign of a leaf that has been grown in optimal sunlight, providing a balance of flavor and aroma without excessive strength.
Where is Montecristo No. 2 made?
It is made in Havana, Cuba, at the H. Upmann Factory, which is also known as La Corona. This is a significant detail, as the factory is renowned for its exacting standards. Each cigar is hand-rolled entirely by a single torcedor (totalmente a mano, tripa larga), and the tapered piramide head is one of the most technically demanding vitolas to roll consistently. The factory's expertise is a key reason why the construction and draw are so exceptional.