AshMap
Overview
There is a moment, about an inch into the Montecristo No. 2, when the tapered head gives way to the full girth of the shoulder, and the smoke shifts from a whisper to a statement. That moment is the entire story of this cigar. It is not a blend that reveals itself; it is one that unfolds with the deliberate patience of a Havana afternoon. The pre-light draw offers a cool, faintly sweet note of hay and cedar dust, a promise of the earth to come. Once lit, the first third is a study in controlled tension: a sharp, clean white pepper dances on the tip of the tongue, immediately softened by a wave of fresh cream and toasted cedar that feels like running a hand over a finely sanded plank. Beneath it all, the unmistakable signature of Vuelta Abajo—a rich, damp loam and dried hay—anchors the experience, preventing the delicacy from becoming ephemeral. This is not a shy cigar, but it is a polite one, introducing its power with a handshake rather than a shove.
As the burn line crosses into the second third, the cigar’s true architecture becomes apparent. The creaminess thickens into a luxurious, nutty paste—think almond butter and roasted hazelnuts—while the core darkens dramatically. A profound dark chocolate note, bitter and slightly chalky like the best single-origin bars, emerges to wrestle with a shot of roasted coffee. The pepper recedes, replaced by a warm, supple leather that feels aged and expensive. It is here, mid-stick, that the cigar’s complexity peaks with a surprising twist: a faint, sweet raisin and dried fig compote that lingers on the retrohale, a ghost of fruit that keeps the savory elements from becoming monotonous. The balance is so precise that you forget you are smoking a torpedo; the draw remains effortless, the smoke dense and chewy, coating the palate in a layer of flavor that demands to be savored slowly.
The final third is where the Montecristo No. 2 earns its reputation as a benchmark. The blend, having spent its middle act building a cathedral of flavor, now concentrates its forces for a powerful, resonant conclusion. The dark espresso returns, but it is darker now, almost a French roast with a hint of charcoal. The seasoned wood shifts from cedar to a more assertive, almost oaky presence, and the white pepper from the opening returns with a vengeance, this time carrying a mineral, saline edge that cuts through the richness. The cocoa that was present in the second third re-emerges, but it is drier, more like a dusting of unsweetened powder. If the cigar has been rested properly, the bitterness is virtually nonexistent; instead, the finish is an extraordinarily long, clean meditation on earth, spice, and a faint, lingering sweetness that keeps you reaching for another draw long after the smoke has dissipated. It is a demanding final act, but one that rewards the patient smoker with a clarity of purpose that few cigars ever achieve.
This is the cigar that defines the piramide format for the rest of the world. It is not merely a product of its Cuban heritage; it is the embodiment of it—a blend that uses the tapered vitola not as a gimmick, but as a tool for pacing a narrative. The Montecristo No. 2 is a masterclass in restraint and power, a cigar that asks you to slow down, to pay attention, and to appreciate the subtle shifts in flavor that occur over the course of ninety minutes. It is a cigar that rewards memory, improving with age in a way that transforms a great smoke into a transcendent one. For those who have only known the pale imitations, this is the original text, the source code from which all other torpedoes are merely copies.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban Vuelta Abajo — Semilla 2000 or traditional criollo-style leaf, Havana — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban Vuelta Abajo |
| Filler | Cuban Vuelta Abajo — aged Cuban leaf, blend of seco, volado, and ligero primings from Pinar del Río |
| Country of Origin | Havana, Cuba — H. Upmann factory (formerly El Rey del Mundo factory) |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo (Piramide) |
| Size | 6.1 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $30–$45 per cigar (depending on market; LCDH and authorized importers vary by region) |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Factory-aged leaf; benefits significantly from 1–3 years of additional humidor aging post-purchase. Released boxes are t |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The tapered head opens with a refined interplay of toasted cedar, white pepper, and fresh cream. Earthy Cuban terroir asserts itself quickly — rich loam and dried hay — balanced by subtle floral notes from the Vuelta Abajo wrapper. The draw resistance is perfect through the taper, building smoke density gradually.
Second Third
The core of the smoke blooms into dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and a warm leather note that is distinctly Cuban in character. A hint of dried fruit — raisin, dried fig — emerges mid-stick, adding complexity. The creaminess from the first third evolves into a richer, nuttier texture with almond and hazelnut undertones.
Final Third
The final third concentrates the blend's strength and complexity — dark espresso, seasoned wood, and a lingering spice on the retrohale. The pepper from the opening returns with more authority, underscored by cocoa and a clean mineral finish. If properly aged, bitterness is minimal and the finish is extraordinarily long and balanced.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is typically exemplary — an even, slow burn with a firm, solid white-grey ash capable of holding 1.5 to 2 inches. Draw through the piramide requires attention to the cut; a straight cut just below the taper shoulder yields the best airflow. Minor touch-ups are occasionally needed mid-smoke on younger examples.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Cuban ron añejo — Havana Club 15 Año or Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva. Alternatively, a Cognac VSOP such as Rémy Martin or a peated Scotch like Laphroaig 10 if you want contrast.
Wine
A structured, aged Rioja Gran Reserva (Marqués de Murrieta, La Rioja Alta) or a Ribera del Duero — the earthy tannins and dried fruit character mirror the cigar's mid-palate beautifully.
Non-Alcoholic
A double ristretto or Cuban-style café cortadito — the concentrated espresso amplifies the chocolate and nut notes in the second third. A lightly sweetened cold brew also works well against the cedar and earth.
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the collector who has a dedicated humidor, not a drawer. You are someone who has spent the last five years chasing limited editions and regional exclusives, only to find yourself returning, again and again, to the classics that started it all. You are on a quiet Sunday evening, the house is still, and you have a glass of Havana Club 15 Año poured. You have exactly ninety minutes with no interruptions, and you want a cigar that will not just fill the time, but define it. You already appreciate the finesse of a Cohiba Siglo VI but find it occasionally too polished; you crave the earthy, slightly wilder character of a Bolivar, but want more refinement. The Montecristo No. 2 gives you the structure of the former with the soul of the latter. It will not surprise you with a new flavor, but it will remind you why you fell in love with Cuban cigars in the first place, offering a familiar yet profound journey that feels like a conversation with an old, wise friend.
Bottom Line
The Montecristo No. 2 is not just the benchmark for torpedoes; it is the definition of the format. Buy a box, age it for three years, and you will own a piece of cigar history that performs better than almost anything else on the market. This is the one to smoke when you need to remember why you smoke.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Montecristo No. 2 cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montecristo No. 2 a strong cigar?
It is rated Medium (3/5) on the strength scale. Physically, this means you will feel a satisfying, warming presence on the palate and a mild nicotine buzz, but it will not overwhelm you or cause lightheadedness. The strength builds gradually, concentrating in the final third, but it never becomes harsh or aggressive, making it a comfortable all-day smoke for experienced users and a manageable step-up for those moving beyond mild cigars.
What does Montecristo No. 2 taste like?
The flavor profile is a progression. The first third opens with toasted cedar, white pepper, and fresh cream over a base of rich loam and dried hay. The second third deepens into dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and warm leather, with a distinct raisin and dried fig sweetness. The final third concentrates into dark espresso, seasoned wood, and a return of white pepper with a clean mineral finish and a dry cocoa undertone.
How long does Montecristo No. 2 take to smoke?
Given its Torpedo (Piramide) vitola and 6.1 x 52 size, you should allocate a minimum of 90 minutes. The tapered head forces a slower, more deliberate start, and the thicker body in the middle and final thirds requires a slow burn to appreciate the complexity. Rushing it will cause the cigar to overheat and turn bitter, so plan for a full, uninterrupted session.
What is the best pairing for Montecristo No. 2?
An aged Cuban ron añejo like Havana Club 15 Año is the classic choice. The sweet, oaky, and slightly funky notes of the rum mirror the cigar's dark chocolate and dried fruit mid-palate, while its moderate proof cleanses the palate without overpowering the tobacco. For a non-alcoholic option, a double ristretto or Cuban-style café cortadito amplifies the coffee and nut notes in the second third, creating a synergistic flavor boost.
Is Montecristo No. 2 good for beginners?
Honestly, no. While the strength is Medium, the price point of $30–$45 per cigar makes it a costly learning tool. More importantly, the flavor profile is subtle and layered, requiring a developed palate to fully appreciate the transitions from cedar to leather to espresso. A beginner might miss the nuances and find the final third's pepper overwhelming. Start with milder, more affordable Cubans like a Montecristo No. 4 or Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 before graduating to this.
Where can I buy Montecristo No. 2?
Your best bet is a La Casa del Habano (LCDH) franchise, which is the official retail network for Cuban cigars and guarantees authenticity. Authorized importers and high-end tobacconists in non-embargoed countries also carry them. Be wary of online marketplaces or street vendors offering deals that seem too good to be true, as fakes are rampant. Always check for the authentic Habanos S.A. seal and the box date stamp.
What is the price of Montecristo No. 2?
The price typically ranges from $30 to $45 per cigar, depending on the market, local taxes, and the specific authorized importer. In regions with higher tobacco duties, such as the UK or Australia, prices can be significantly higher. Buying by the box (typically 25 cigars) often provides a slight per-stick discount compared to single purchases.
Is Montecristo No. 2 worth aging?
Absolutely. The cigar is made with factory-aged leaf, but it benefits significantly from 1–3 years of additional humidor aging post-purchase. Fresh examples can have a slightly sharp pepper and a more forward earthiness. With rest, the ammonia dissipates, the cream and nut flavors integrate more seamlessly, and the finish becomes extraordinarily long and balanced. A box rested for 3–5 years will be a transcendent experience, with the pepper mellowing into a refined spice and the dark chocolate notes becoming sweeter and more complex.
What wrapper does Montecristo No. 2 use?
It uses a Cuban Vuelta Abajo wrapper, specifically a Semilla 2000 or traditional criollo-style leaf grown under shade in Havana. The wrapper is a Colorado shade, meaning it is a medium-dark color ranging from café au lait to tawny cedar. This leaf is lightly oily with a fine grain, and it contributes the initial notes of white pepper, cedar, and subtle floral sweetness, while also providing the cigar's signature earthy Cuban terroir character.
Where is Montecristo No. 2 made?
It is made in Havana, Cuba, at the H. Upmann factory, which was formerly known as the El Rey del Mundo factory. This is a totalement à la main (totally handmade) production, rolled using the entubar or accordion method for the filler. The piramide vitola features a tapered head with a classic triple cap, a construction detail that requires significant skill from the torcedor to ensure an even burn and perfect draw through the narrow tip.