AshMap
Overview
Since its introduction in the 1930s, the Montecristo No. 2 has stood as the definitive expression of the Cuban piramide vitola and the flagship of the Montecristo portfolio. Hand-rolled entirely at the historic H. Upmann Factory in Havana—a facility whose torcedores are entrusted with the most demanding formats in Habanos S.A.—the No. 2 is a cigar of exacting technical precision. The torpedo shape, with its tapered head and widening foot, is one of the most challenging to construct; a perfectly rolled example requires a torcedor of exceptional skill to ensure even burn and seamless draw. That it has remained in continuous production for nearly a century, unchanged in its fundamental architecture, speaks to a design that has achieved something rare: perfect balance. The cigar wears a Colorado wrapper from the San Juan y Martínez district of Vuelta Abajo—a warm chestnut brown with a silken sheen and fine veins—beneath which lies a binder and filler blend of the same estate’s Habano leaf, aged a minimum of two years before rolling. The result is a smoking experience that opens with refined notes of roasted almonds, white pepper, and fresh cedar, quickly revealing the damp limestone and light barnyard earthiness that defines Vuelta Abajo terroir. As the burn progresses into the second third, the profile deepens into a masterclass of complexity: layers of roasted coffee, dark chocolate, dried apricot, and spice-tinged leather dominate, while retrohales unveil subtle floral and tobacco blossom nuances that are nearly impossible to find outside Cuban production. The final third tightens into espresso, dark cocoa, and a long black pepper finish, with toasted oak and a faint mineral salinity emerging as the ring gauge widens. The strength remains medium throughout, only tickling medium-full at the very nub, and never turns harsh. The Montecristo No. 2 is not the most powerful cigar Cuba produces, nor is it the most complex in absolute terms. But it is, arguably, the most harmonious—a benchmark of elegance and terroir expression that has defined the piramide format for the global cigar community. For those seeking to understand why Cuban tobacco commands its reverence, this is the cigar. With five years of additional aging, it becomes something genuinely transcendent.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban Habano — Vuelta Abajo, San Juan y Martínez — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban Habano — Vuelta Abajo |
| Filler | Cuban Habano — Vuelta Abajo blend, aged minimum two years at H. Upmann factory |
| Country of Origin | Havana, Cuba — H. Upmann Factory (La Corona Factory / Fábrica de Tabacos H. Upmann) |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo (Piramide) |
| Size | 6.1 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $28–$38 per cigar (LCDH and authorized retailers); pricing varies significantly by market and duty |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Minimum two years in-factory aging standard; post-production aging of three to five additional years is widely recommend |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The tapered head delivers a refined opening of roasted almonds, white pepper, and fresh cedar. A distinct earthiness — damp limestone and light barnyard — emerges within the first inch, classic Vuelta Abajo terroir. Creaminess begins building alongside faint honey notes.
Second Third
The mid-section is where the No. 2 earns its legendary status — layers of roasted coffee, dark chocolate, dried apricot, and a pronounced spice-tinged leather take full command. Complexity deepens considerably; the retrohale reveals subtle floral and tobacco blossom nuances rarely found outside Cuban production.
Final Third
The final third intensifies with espresso, dark cocoa, and a long, satisfying black pepper finish. Toasted oak and a slight mineral salinity emerge as the ring gauge widens at the foot. Strength ticks up to medium-full at the nub but never turns harsh on a properly constructed specimen.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is the benchmark against which all torpedoes are measured — a properly rolled No. 2 draws effortlessly with just the right resistance, burns in a slow even line, and produces a firm, dense ash of pale grey that holds well past an inch. Occasionally requires a single touch-up, which is expected and acceptable for a handmade piramide of this complexity.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Cuban rum — Havana Club 15 Año or Ron Santiago de Cuba Extra Añejo 12; alternatively a single malt Speyside Scotch such as Glenfarclas 15 or The Balvenie DoubleWood 17
Wine
Rioja Reserva (Tempranillo-dominant) — Marqués de Murrieta Reserva or a structured Ribera del Duero; the earthy tannic backbone mirrors the cigar's limestone terroir beautifully
Non-Alcoholic
Single-origin Cuban pour-over coffee — medium roast, Arabica, ideally Serrano or Turquino bean — or a lightly sweetened cortado to echo the cigar's almond and cream mid-profile
Who Should Smoke This?
The Montecristo No. 2 is for the discerning enthusiast who values harmony over brute force and understands that a great cigar is a conversation, not a declaration. It rewards experienced smokers—those who have matured past seeking power alone and now appreciate the interplay of earth, cream, spice, and floral nuance across a 75-to-90-minute journey. Ideal for unhurried afternoons, evening leisure, or moments of reflection, it demands patience and a deliberate cadence. The novice will find complexity that may overwhelm; better to approach after a dozen or more smokes and a foundation in Cuban profiles. If you have the time to commit without distraction, and the palate to parse subtle transitions, the No. 2 becomes a companion rather than a smoke.
Bottom Line
The Montecristo No. 2 is the benchmark torpedo—the cigar against which all others are measured. Timeless, balanced, and deeply expressive of Cuban terroir, it is an essential experience for anyone serious about the craft.
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 strength, with a gentle build that only reaches medium-full at the very nub. It prioritizes balance and nuance over power, making it approachable for experienced smokers who prefer complexity rather than intensity.
What does Montecristo No. 2 taste like?
The profile evolves across three distinct thirds. First third: roasted almonds, white pepper, fresh cedar, damp limestone earthiness, and light barnyard. Second third: roasted coffee, dark chocolate, dried apricot, spice-tinged leather, with floral and tobacco blossom nuances on the retrohale. Final third: espresso, dark cocoa, black pepper, toasted oak, and a faint mineral salinity.
How long does Montecristo No. 2 take to smoke?
Plan for 75 to 90 minutes. The piramide vitola rewards a slow, deliberate cadence; rushing it will compromise both the draw and the evolution of flavors.
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 12 is ideal. For Scotch, a Speyside single malt like Glenfarclas 15 or The Balvenie DoubleWood 17 complements the cigar's creamy mid-profile. Wine enthusiasts should choose a Tempranillo-dominant Rioja Reserva—Marqués de Murrieta Reserva works beautifully. Non-alcoholic: a single-origin Cuban pour-over coffee (medium roast, Serrano or Turquino bean) or a lightly sweetened cortado.
Is Montecristo No. 2 good for beginners?
Not recommended for beginners. Its complexity and subtle transitions require an experienced palate to fully appreciate. The medium strength is manageable, but the layered flavors and the demanding piramide construction—which can punish an uneven smoking cadence—make it better suited to those with some cigar experience.
Where can I buy Montecristo No. 2?
Authorized La Casa del Habano (LCDH) locations and certified Habanos S.A. retailers are the only reliable sources for genuine No. 2s. Avoid unauthorized vendors, due to the high incidence of counterfeits. Availability varies by market, and duty-inclusive pricing can differ significantly.
What is the price of Montecristo No. 2?
Pricing ranges from $28 to $38 per cigar at LCDH and authorized retailers. Prices vary widely by country due to local duties, taxes, and market conditions.
Is Montecristo No. 2 worth aging?
Absolutely. The cigar already undergoes a minimum of two years of in-factory aging, but an additional three to five years of post-production aging in a proper humidor can elevate it to a transcendent experience—tightening the draw, softening the pepper, and deepening the creamy, floral notes.
What wrapper does Montecristo No. 2 use?
It uses a Cuban Habano wrapper from the Vuelta Abajo region, specifically the San Juan y Martínez district. The shade is Colorado, presenting a warm chestnut brown color with a subtle silky sheen and fine veins.
Where is Montecristo No. 2 made?
It is made in Havana, Cuba, at the H. Upmann Factory (historically also known as the La Corona Factory / Fábrica de Tabacos H. Upmann). It is entirely hand-rolled (totalmente a mano — tripa larga) by top-tier torcedores.