AshMap
Overview
There is a moment, about an inch into the Montecristo No. 2, when the tapered head has surrendered its last tight-lipped resistance and the burn line widens into the full 52-ring girth. That is the moment this cigar stops being a cigar and becomes a lesson in architecture. The pyramid is not a shape here; it is a narrative device, a way of forcing the smoker through a controlled crescendo of flavor that a parejo could never articulate. From the first cold draw, there is a promise of something refined — a whisper of cedar and white pepper that feels almost polite, a prelude before the main body of the work begins. The initial puffs deliver a buttery cream that coats the palate like fresh dairy, layered over a dry, roasted coffee note that grounds the sweetness. There is a toasted almond quality that lingers on the finish, and as the ash column builds its first half-inch, a faint, dried lavender floral note emerges — not perfumy, but dry and herbal, like a sachet left too long in a drawer of linens. This is the Montecristo signature, the house style that has defined the brand since 1935: a balance that never tips into excess, a richness that never becomes heavy.
The second third is where the No. 2 earns its reputation as the benchmark torpedo. As the burn line passes the halfway point of the pyramid's shoulder, the draw opens up with a beautiful, natural looseness that seems to unlock a deeper register of the blend. The cream recedes slightly, making way for a dark chocolate note that is more bitter than sweet, more cocoa powder than candy bar. Dried fruit emerges — raisin and fig, sticky and concentrated, as if the sun had been left on them a day too long. Roasted hazelnut joins the almond, and an aged leather note begins to develop, adding a savory, almost umami depth that anchors the smoke. The retrohale carries a gentle spice — white pepper up front, black pepper on the finish — but it never overwhelms the creamy base; it rides above it like a harmonic overtone. The strength ticks upward here, from a gentle medium to a more present medium, but the balance holds. This is the section that makes you slow down, that makes you set the cigar down between puffs to let the flavors settle and re-form.
The final third consolidates everything that came before into a dense, satisfying conclusion. The espresso note that was merely roasted coffee in the first third now becomes a full-bodied shot, dark and slightly bitter, cut with a dark cocoa richness. Cedar resin replaces the dry wood, more aromatic and piney, and the nuttiness — now more walnut than almond — lingers on the finish with a remarkable persistence. In well-aged specimens, there is a nuanced sweetness that emerges here, almost caramelized, like the burnt sugar on top of a crème brûlée. The strength remains medium, never punishing, which is a remarkable feat for a blend that includes ligero at full burn. The ash holds in firm, silver-white columns of an inch or more, and the burn line stays even with only minor corrections needed in humid conditions. This is a cigar that rewards patience, that demands a full 90 to 120 minutes of unhurried attention, and that gives back everything you invest in it. It is not the most complex Cuban you will ever smoke — that title belongs to more obscure vitolas and limited editions — but it may be the most consistently pleasurable, the most structurally elegant, the one that makes the case for Havana without apology.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban Vuelta Abajo (Habano) — sun-grown Corojo — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban Vuelta Abajo |
| Filler | Cuban Vuelta Abajo — a blend of seco, ligero, and volado leaves, aged a minimum of two years at the factory |
| Country of Origin | H. Upmann Factory (La Corona), Havana, Cuba |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo (Piramide) |
| Size | 6.12 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $30–$50 per cigar (LCDH and authorized retailers; market pricing highly variable due to Cuban import regulations and reg |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Factory-aged minimum two years; further cellaring 3–5 years brings significant complexity and integration; peak window o |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The tapered head delivers an immediate surge of creamy cedar, toasted almond, and white pepper on the cold draw that transitions gracefully once lit. The first third opens with rich, buttery creaminess layered over roasted coffee and dry wood — a signature Montecristo signature note. Subtle earth and a gentle floral quality (often described as dried lavender) emerge as the ash builds.
Second Third
The second third is where the No. 2 truly earns its legendary status — the pyramid shape opens up the blend and the draw loosens beautifully, amplifying flavors of dark chocolate, dried fruit (raisin, fig), roasted hazelnut, and aged leather. A gentle spice component — white and black pepper — rides the retrohale without overwhelming the creamy base. Complexity deepens considerably as strength ticks slightly upward.
Final Third
The final third consolidates into a rich, dense, satisfying finish dominated by espresso, dark cocoa, cedar resin, and a lingering nuttiness. Well-aged specimens add a nuanced sweetness and almost caramelized quality here. Strength remains medium, never punishing — a remarkable feat for a Habano ligero blend at full burn.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is generally exemplary given Havana's skilled rollers — the torpedo head, when properly guillotined or V-cut, produces an ideal draw with moderate resistance. Burn line is even, ash holds firm in silver-white columns of 1–1.5 inches; minor touch-ups are not uncommon in humid storage conditions but are easily corrected.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Cuban or Barbadian rum (Ron Santiago de Cuba 12-Year, Mount Gay XO); alternatively a well-aged Speyside Scotch such as The Macallan 18 Double Cask complements the creamy, nutty profile without competing
Wine
A structured, earthy Burgundy (Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru) or a restrained Rioja Reserva (Muga Reserva) — avoid heavily tannic New World reds that overpower the cigar's subtlety
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Ethiopian Yirgacheffe pour-over or a well-pulled double ristretto — the floral and coffee notes in both parallel the cigar's core character beautifully
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the collector who has a humidor full of rare finds but keeps reaching for the same five cigars. The one who has been smoking for a decade or more, who has chased the ghost of pre-embargo Havanas and learned to appreciate the subtle differences between box codes and harvest years. They are sitting on a quiet Sunday evening, the house to themselves, a glass of aged rum within reach, and they want something that will not demand their attention but will reward it when given. They already know the No. 2's reputation — they may have smoked a fresh one years ago and found it grassy, underwhelming, and wondered what the fuss was about. This is the cigar that answers that question, that shows them what five years of cellaring can do to a blend that was already good and makes it transcendent. It will give them a smoke that is familiar and surprising in equal measure, a reminder of why they fell in love with Cuban cigars in the first place.
Bottom Line
The Montecristo No. 2 is the torpedo by which all others are judged, and for good reason. It is not the boldest or the most complex Cuban you will ever smoke, but it is the most perfectly balanced, the most structurally elegant, the one that delivers a complete sensory arc from first light to final ash. Buy it, age it, and smoke it when you have time to listen to what it has to say.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montecristo No. 2 a strong cigar?
No, it is rated Medium (3/5) on the strength scale. Physically, this means you will feel a gentle warmth and a slight increase in heart rate by the final third, but you will not experience nicotine sickness or a heavy, lingering buzz. The blend includes ligero, which adds depth and a subtle kick, but the volado and seco leaves balance it out, keeping the experience smooth and approachable even for those who typically avoid full-strength cigars.
What does Montecristo No. 2 taste like?
The flavor profile evolves across three distinct thirds. The first third opens with creamy butter, roasted coffee, toasted almond, and a dry cedar note with a faint dried lavender floral quality. The second third deepens into dark chocolate, dried raisin and fig, roasted hazelnut, and aged leather, with white and black pepper on the retrohale. The final third consolidates into espresso, dark cocoa, cedar resin, and a lingering walnut-like nuttiness, with well-aged specimens adding a caramelized sweetness.
How long does Montecristo No. 2 take to smoke?
Expect a 90 to 120 minute smoking session. The Torpedo (Piramide) vitola at 6.12 inches with a 52 ring gauge is a substantial cigar, and the tapered head requires a slower, more deliberate burn in the first inch. The pyramid shape also means the burn line widens as you progress, which naturally slows the pace in the second and final thirds. This is not a cigar to rush; plan for an unhurried evening or a long, lazy afternoon.
What is the best pairing for Montecristo No. 2?
An aged Cuban or Barbadian rum is the classic choice — Ron Santiago de Cuba 12-Year or Mount Gay XO both bring a molasses sweetness and a warm spice that complements the cigar's creamy, nutty profile without overpowering it. For a Scotch drinker, a well-aged Speyside like The Macallan 18 Double Cask works beautifully, its sherry sweetness echoing the dried fruit notes in the second third. If you prefer wine, a structured Burgundy or a restrained Rioja Reserva will match the cigar's earthy subtlety, but avoid heavily tannic New World reds that will clash with the delicate balance.
Is Montecristo No. 2 good for beginners?
Honestly, no — not as a first cigar. The strength is Medium, which is manageable, but the price point of $30–$50 per cigar makes it a significant investment for someone who has not yet developed their palate. A beginner might miss the subtle transitions between thirds and could find the 90-120 minute commitment daunting. This is a cigar for someone who has already smoked enough to understand what they are tasting, or for a beginner who is serious about learning and has a patient mentor to guide them through the experience.
Where can I buy Montecristo No. 2?
Your best bet is a La Casa del Habano (LCDH) franchise store, which is the official retail channel for Cuban cigars and carries the widest selection with proper storage. Authorized Habanos specialists and high-end tobacconists in countries that allow Cuban cigar imports — such as Canada, the UK, Spain, and much of Europe and Asia — are also reliable sources. Be wary of online retailers claiming to ship Cubans to the United States, as import regulations make those transactions legally dubious and the authenticity of the product is often questionable.
What is the price of Montecristo No. 2?
Expect to pay between $30 and $50 per cigar at LCDH stores and authorized retailers. However, market pricing is highly variable due to Cuban import regulations and regional taxes. In some markets, particularly in Europe, you may find them closer to the $30 end; in others, such as Canada or Asia, prices can exceed $50. Boxes of 25 will typically run $750–$1,250 depending on the market and the current vintage.
Is Montecristo No. 2 worth aging?
Absolutely, and it is almost essential. The cigars are factory-aged for a minimum of two years before release, but fresh examples can still taste grassy and underdeveloped. Further cellaring for 3–5 years brings significant complexity and integration — the flavors meld together, the harsh edges soften, and a nuanced sweetness emerges in the final third that is simply not present in younger cigars. The peak window is generally between 5 and 10 years of total age, after which the cigar will slowly begin to lose its vibrancy. If you buy a box, smoke one immediately to establish a baseline, then revisit one every year to track the evolution.
What wrapper does Montecristo No. 2 use?
The wrapper is a Cuban Vuelta Abajo (Habano) sun-grown Corojo leaf, finished in a Colorado shade — a warm reddish-brown with a silky texture and a subtle natural sheen. This wrapper is significant because it is grown in the Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba, which is widely considered the premier tobacco-growing soil in the world. The sun-grown Corojo contributes a natural sweetness and a gentle spice that complements the creamier notes of the binder and filler, while the Colorado color indicates a medium-maturity leaf that adds a touch of richness without overwhelming the blend's balance.
Where is Montecristo No. 2 made?
It is hand-rolled at the H. Upmann Factory (also known as La Corona) in Havana, Cuba. This is one of the most storied production facilities in the country, and the rollers there are among the most skilled in the industry. The No. 2 features a triple-cap construction, which is essential for a torpedo vitola — it ensures the tapered head holds together perfectly during the rolling process and provides a clean, even draw when cut. The blend of seco, ligero, and volado filler leaves is aged for a minimum of two years at the factory before the cigars are rolled.