Montecristo No. 2 Review

Overview

The Montecristo No. 2 is not merely a cigar; it is a benchmark. For decades, this torpedo — or piramide — has served as the definitive expression of Cuban craftsmanship, the vitola against which all others are measured. Rolled at the historic H. Upmann factory in Havana, it carries the weight of a lineage that began in 1935, when Montecristo emerged as a brand built around the now-legendary No. 2 and No. 4 vitolas. To hold a Montecristo No. 2 is to hold a piece of cigar history, wrapped in the deep, oily Colorado leaf of the Vuelta Abajo region — a shade that veers from café au lait to tawny cedar, with a fine grain that promises complexity.

From the first light, the Montecristo No. 2 commands attention. The tapered head delivers a refined opening of toasted cedar, white pepper, and fresh cream, but the soul of the cigar emerges swiftly: earthy loam, dried hay, and the subtle floral signature that only Vuelta Abajo wrapper can provide. As the smoke progresses into the second third, the palate is met with a cascade of dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and warm leather — distinctly Cuban in character — punctuated by dried fruit notes of raisin and fig. The creaminess of the opening evolves into a richer, nuttier texture, with almond and hazelnut undertones that speak to the careful aging of the filler leaves, a blend of seco, volado, and ligero primings from Pinar del Río.

In the final third, the cigar concentrates its force. Dark espresso, seasoned wood, and a resurgent spice on the retrohale underscore the blend's medium-strength core. If the cigar has been rested — as it should be — bitterness is negligible, and the finish is extraordinarily long and clean, with a minerality that lingers well after the ash falls. The construction, executed using the entubar or accordion method, is typically exemplary: an even, slow burn, a firm white-grey ash that holds for an inch and a half or more, and a draw that rewards a precise cut just below the shoulder of the taper. Minor touch-ups may be required on younger examples, but patience is rewarded.

This is a cigar that demands time — at least 90 minutes — and a palate that appreciates nuance. It is the choice for the late afternoon or early evening, when the day's distractions have faded and the smoker can give the No. 2 the uninterrupted attention it deserves. It is also a cigar that rewards aging more profoundly than almost any other Havana; a box rested three to five years will deliver a transcendent experience that justifies its prestige tier. The Montecristo No. 2 is not just a cigar; it is the standard against which piramides worldwide are judged. It is, quite simply, iconic.