Montecristo No. 2 Review

Overview

In the pantheon of Cuban cigars, the Montecristo No. 2 commands a singular reverence. First introduced as part of the classic Montecristo range, this 6.125 x 52 torpedo—known in Cuban parlance as a Piramide—has become the benchmark against which all other tapered vitolas are measured. Produced at the H. Upmann factory in Havana, the No. 2 is hand-rolled using exclusively long-filler tobaccos from the Vuelta Abajo region, the most prized growing zone in Cuba. The wrapper is a Criollo '98 grown under the Caribbean sun and shade-cloth of Vuelta Abajo, its Colorado hue presenting a medium brown, silky leaf with a natural sheen that bespeaks meticulous priming and aging. Every element of this cigar, from the tapered head requiring exceptional rolling dexterity to the mandated two-year in-factory aging, reflects a commitment to craft that has sustained its prestige status for decades. To hold a Montecristo No. 2 is to hold a piece of cigar history—an object that has evolved from a post-revolutionary staple into a global icon of luxury tobacco. What elevates the Montecristo No. 2 beyond mere reputation is its extraordinary depth of flavor and precise construction. The draw, when properly humidified between 65 and 68 percent relative humidity, offers that ideal slight resistance that Cuban piramides are known for, producing dense, aromatic clouds of smoke with remarkable retrohale clarity. The ash holds firm past an inch, burning slow and even—a testament to the tripa larga, totalmente a mano construction. Flavor-wise, the cigar unfolds across a deliberate 75- to 90-minute journey: it opens with refined cedar and roasted almond, accented by clean creaminess and a delicate white pepper tingle on the retrohale. As the ring gauge widens through the shoulder, complexity deepens into dark chocolate, dried fig, seasoned leather, and a subtle barnyard sweetness, with cedar evolving into sandalwood and a light caramel sweetness developing mid-palate. The final third brings espresso, cocoa powder, warming clove, and black pepper, culminating in that classic Cuban 'punch'—a controlled strength increase that never overwhelms, leaving a long, dry, elegantly bitter finish of almond and leather. At a price point ranging from $30 to $42 per cigar across LCDH and authorized retailers—subject to regional duty and market fluctuations—the Montecristo No. 2 sits in the upper tier of Cuban production, yet remains accessible enough for the committed enthusiast. It is, without hyperbole, the single most iconic Cuban cigar in current production: a reference point by which all piramides are judged. A freshly boxed No. 2 is a pleasant smoke; a properly rested box aged five-plus years is transcendent. This is a cigar that rewards patience, attention, and reverence—a true aristocrat of the premium cigar world.