AshMap
Overview
The Montecristo No. 2 is not merely a cigar; it is a benchmark, a cultural artifact, and for many aficionados, the definitive expression of the Cuban torpedo. First introduced in 1935 as part of the original Montecristo portfolio, this Piramide vitola—6.125 inches long with a 52-ring gauge—was initially rolled at the legendary El Laguito factory, though production now primarily resides at the H. Upmann factory in Havana. Its lineage places it at the very heart of Cuban cigar tradition, a prestige-tier offering that has defined expectations for seasoned smokers for nearly a century. The cigar’s character begins with its leaf: a Colorado-hued Cuban Vuelta Abajo wrapper, a Corojo-derivative that presents a warm medium-brown, silky surface with a natural sheen. The binder and filler are also drawn from the Vuelta Abajo region, with a filler blend of seco, volado, and ligero leaves that have undergone a mandated minimum of two years of in-factory aging at H. Upmann. This careful sourcing and maturation lay the foundation for a profile that is both layered and unmistakably Cuban in typicity. Upon lighting, the tapering head of the No. 2 delivers immediate complexity—toasted cedar, white pepper on the retrohale, and a clean, almost mineral freshness characteristic of well-humidified Cuban leaf. A floral sweetness and creaminess soon emerge, accompanied by roasted almond and dry cocoa powder. The experience is not linear but wave-like, building toward a second third where earth and leather move to the foreground, supported by espresso, fig, and raisin. By the final third, the full expression of the ligero takes hold: concentrated dark chocolate, aged wood, rich leather, and a finish of black pepper and molasses that lingers for minutes. A properly aged example maintains elegance from start to finish, avoiding the harshness that lesser construction can introduce. And here we must be candid: the No. 2’s construction quality has become its most debated attribute. Post-2010 vintages, in particular, have suffered from inconsistent rolling—tunneling and tight draws are not uncommon, making provenance and proper storage paramount. When these variables are controlled—when a cigar is sourced from a trusted Havana-specialist retailer, ideally from a box with documented vintage and rested three to five years at 65–68% relative humidity—the Montecristo No. 2 delivers an experience that competitors from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic approach but rarely surpass. It remains the benchmark for Cuban torpedoes, a cigar for the aficionado who understands that patience, in both aging and the ritual of the smoke itself, is part of the reward. In great vintages—the mid-1990s, the early 2000s—it is genuinely among the finest cigars ever produced.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban Vuelta Abajo, Corojo-derivative — Havana leaf — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban Vuelta Abajo |
| Filler | Cuban Vuelta Abajo — blend of seco, volado, and ligero leaves, aged a minimum of two years in-factory at H. Upmann facto |
| Country of Origin | Havana, Cuba — formerly El Laguito, now primarily rolled at the H. Upmann factory (Real Fábrica de Tabacos H. Upmann) |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo (Piramide) |
| Size | 6.125 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $28–$38 per cigar (varies significantly by market; UK/EU duty-paid often higher) |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Minimum two years in-factory aging mandated; post-purchase aging of 3–5 years at 65–68% RH is widely recommended among a |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The tapered head opens with immediate complexity — toasted cedar, white pepper on the retrohale, and a clean, almost mineral-fresh note characteristic of well-humidified Cuban leaf. A subtle floral sweetness and creaminess emerge as the torpedo's draw opens up, often accompanied by light roasted almond and dry cocoa powder.
Second Third
This is where the No. 2 earns its iconic status. Earth and leather move to the foreground — deep, loamy tobacco character, notes of espresso and dark dried fruit (fig, raisin), with a sustained spice on the retrohale. The complexity builds in waves rather than a linear progression; sweetness and savory elements trade dominance.
Final Third
Full-throttle ligero expression: concentrated dark chocolate, aged wood, rich leather, and a long finish with black pepper and a hint of molasses. The combustion heat intensifies the profile, but a properly aged example maintains elegance rather than harshness. The finish lingers for several minutes post-draw.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is the No. 2's Achilles heel on recent-production boxes — tunneling and tight draws are not uncommon, particularly in post-2010 vintages where QC has been inconsistent. When well-rolled, the burn is even, ash holds firm at 1.5–2 inches, and the draw is ideal: slight resistance with full smoke output. Investing in a Havana-specialist retailer with properly cellared stock mitigates most construction issues.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Cuban rum is the classical pairing — Havana Club 15 Año or Ron Santiago de Cuba Extra Añejo. Single malt Scotch from Speyside (Glenfarclas 15 or 21) complements the cedar and dried fruit without fighting the pepper. Avoid heavily peated expressions which overwhelm the tobacco's nuance.
Wine
An aged Rioja Gran Reserva (Muga, López de Heredia Viña Tondonia) or a structured Brunello di Montalcino — the tertiary notes of leather, earth, and dried cherry in aged Sangiovese mirror the cigar's profile precisely.
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Ethiopian or Yemeni Mocha coffee, black, medium roast — the natural fruit and floral complexity echoes the cedar and sweetness of the wrapper. Alternatively, a high-grade aged pu-erh tea for its earthy, mineral depth.
Who Should Smoke This?
The Montecristo No. 2 is built for the seasoned aficionado—the smoker who has navigated enough vitolas to read a cigar’s rhythm, who can parse the distinction between a tight draw and a deliberate resistance, and who values complexity over brute strength. This is not a cigar for the novice; its medium-full body and layered profile demand experience to fully appreciate the transitions from cedar and white pepper to deep leather and espresso. It is best reserved for occasions requiring a 90- to 100-minute commitment—solo contemplation, a meaningful conversation, or a celebration. Evening smoking is ideal, though a mid-afternoon slot with two uninterrupted hours is acceptable. If you are willing to invest in a properly aged box and to treat each smoke as a deliberate ritual, the No. 2 will reward you with one of the most iconic experiences in the Cuban portfolio.
Bottom Line
The Montecristo No. 2 remains the quintessential Cuban torpedo—a benchmark of complexity and balance when sourced from a reliable vintage and properly aged. Post-2010 construction inconsistencies demand caution, but a well-executed example justifies its prestige status and price. This is a cigar for the patient connoisseur who understands that greatness requires both provenance and time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montecristo No. 2 a strong cigar?
The Montecristo No. 2 is rated medium-full (4/5) in strength. It is not a nicotine bomb, but its lingering ligero expression in the final third delivers a pronounced, sustained intensity that experienced smokers will recognize as robust but refined.
What does Montecristo No. 2 taste like?
The No. 2 evolves significantly from first light to nub. The first third offers toasted cedar, white pepper, and mineral-like freshness, with floral sweetness and roasted almond. The second third deepens into earth, leather, espresso, fig, and raisin. The final third is dominated by dark chocolate, aged wood, black pepper, and molasses.
How long does Montecristo No. 2 take to smoke?
A typical session lasts 90 to 100 minutes. The torpedo vitola requires a slower, deliberate pace, and rushing it will compromise the draw and flavor development. Plan for a minimum of 90 uninterrupted minutes.
What is the best pairing for Montecristo No. 2?
Aged Cuban rum—such as Havana Club 15 Año or Ron Santiago de Cuba Extra Añejo—is the classic pairing. Speyside single malt Scotch (Glenfarclas 15 or 21) complements the cedar and dried fruit without overpowering the pepper. For wine, an aged Rioja Gran Reserva or Brunello di Montalcino mirrors the cigar’s leather and earth. Non-alcoholically, a single-origin Ethiopian or Yemeni Mocha coffee, black, or a high-grade aged pu-erh tea are excellent.
Is Montecristo No. 2 good for beginners?
No. This cigar is best suited for experienced aficionados. Its medium-full strength, complexity of flavors, and construction demands (including potential draw issues) require a developed palate and patience. A beginner would likely find the experience overwhelming and may miss the nuance that makes the No. 2 legendary.
Where can I buy Montecristo No. 2?
The Montecristo No. 2 is distributed internationally by Habanos S.A. through authorized channels. In the UK, Hunters & Frankau is the official distributor. In other markets, purchase from regional exclusive distributors or reputable Havana-specialist retailers. Online sources with verifiable provenance and proper cellaring are strongly recommended to avoid counterfeit and poor storage.
What is the price of Montecristo No. 2?
Prices vary significantly by market. A single cigar typically ranges from $28 to $38 USD. In the UK and EU, duty-paid prices are often higher. The price reflects its prestige tier status and the mandated minimum two-year in-factory aging.
Is Montecristo No. 2 worth aging?
Absolutely. The cigar already undergoes a minimum of two years of in-factory aging, but post-purchase aging of three to five years at 65–68% relative humidity is widely recommended. Proper aging mellows residual sharpness, deepens the dried fruit and leather notes, and helps ensure a more even burn—particularly important for post-2010 vintages where construction can be inconsistent.
What wrapper does Montecristo No. 2 use?
The wrapper is a Cuban Vuelta Abajo leaf from a Corojo-derivative plant. It is classified as Colorado in color—a warm medium-brown—and is silky with a light natural sheen. This wrapper is a significant contributor to the cigar's mineral freshness and floral sweetness in the first third.
Where is Montecristo No. 2 made?
The Montecristo No. 2 is made in Havana, Cuba. It was originally rolled at the El Laguito factory, but production now primarily takes place at the H. Upmann factory (Real Fábrica de Tabacos H. Upmann). It is a hand-rolled, long-filler cigar using the entubado bunching method typical of premium Cuban production.