AshMap
Overview
The Montecristo No. 2 is not a cigar you smoke; it is a cigar you listen to. From the first cold draw—a whisper of hay and sweet tobacco through the tapered tip—it signals that this is a smoke of patience and reward. Light it slowly, and the narrow head concentrates the flame, releasing a first third that is all composure: toasted cedar, a fine white pepper that tingles rather than bites, and fresh cream that coats the palate like a silk veil. By the inch mark, roasted almond and a faint dried flower sweetness emerge, but the strength remains deceptively gentle—a masterclass in elegance that lulls you into a false sense of simplicity. This is the opening movement of a symphony, not the whole piece.
As the burn widens past the torpedo's shoulder, the blend opens like a locked door giving way. The second third is where Montecristo's identity asserts itself: rich Cuban earth, supple leather, and a pronounced cocoa note that is darker and more refined than the sweeter profiles of Partagás or Romeo y Julieta. Cedar persists, but now it is joined by dark raisin and fig—dried fruit that adds a chewy, almost jammy depth. The retrohale is creamy, with a clean finish that lingers just long enough to make you crave the next draw. This is the heart of the experience, a moment of perfect balance where the Vuelta Abajo filler's seco and ligero leaves sing in harmony, and you understand why this vitola has become the benchmark for every torpedo that dares to follow.
The final third is where the piramide's geometry works its magic. As the ring gauge narrows, the smoke concentrates, and the body builds with purpose. Dark chocolate and espresso take center stage, backed by a black pepper that is assertive but never harsh—provided you have not rushed the previous hour. A subtle sweetness, like molasses or dried cherry, lingers on the palate, a parting gift that keeps you in your chair long after the ash falls. A well-aged example remains composed to the nub, while younger versions can turn bitter if smoked too fast—a reminder that this cigar demands respect. The burn is steady, the draw open with just the right resistance, and the ash holds firm in a compact white-grey column that feels almost architectural. This is not a cigar for multitasking; it is a ritual for the focused, the contemplative, and those who understand that the best things in life cannot be hurried.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban Vuelta Abajo — Corojo-seed seco and ligero leaves, aged — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban Vuelta Abajo |
| Filler | Cuban Vuelta Abajo seco, ligero, and volado leaves — aged a minimum of two years at the H. Upmann factory in Havana |
| Country of Origin | Havana, Cuba — H. Upmann Factory (La Corona) |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo (Piramide) |
| Size | 6.125 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $35–$55 per cigar (varies by market and duty-free availability; black market premiums apply in the US) |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Minimum two years of leaf aging pre-rolling; benefits enormously from an additional 3–7 years of box aging in the humido |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The tapered head concentrates aromatic oils brilliantly at ignition, delivering a composed opening of toasted cedar, white pepper, and fresh cream. A mild nuttiness — roasted almond or hazelnut — emerges alongside mild earth and a whisper of dried flowers. Strength is gentle despite the flavor complexity, making the first inch deceptively elegant.
Second Third
The core of the experience: the blend fully opens into rich Cuban earth, leather, and a pronounced cocoa note that distinguishes Montecristo from more savory Cuban profiles. Cedar and dried fruit — specifically dark raisin or fig — layer in as the ring gauge widens. Creamy texture dominates the retrohale, with a clean, medium-length finish.
Final Third
The piramide's narrow foot concentrating smoke through the final third delivers increased body and a deepening of all prior flavors. Dark chocolate, espresso, and a note of black pepper assert themselves. A slight sweetness — molasses or dried cherry — lingers on the palate. A well-aged example remains composed and never harsh; younger examples can push toward spice and bitterness if rushed.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction quality from the H. Upmann factory is generally excellent — the draw is consistently open with a touch of resistance ideal for a piramide, and the burn, though occasionally requiring a single touch-up, self-corrects across a long, compact white-to-light-grey ash that holds 1 to 1.5 inches reliably.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Cuban or Barbadian rum — Ron Zacapa 23 Solera or El Dorado 15-Year are ideal; alternatively, a well-aged Cognac (Hennessy XO or Rémy Martin XO) complements the creamy cocoa character without overwhelming Cuban subtlety
Wine
A structured, moderately tannic red — aged Rioja Reserva (Muga or La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904), or a Côtes du Rhône with Grenache-forward depth; avoid New World fruit bombs which mask the cigar's nuance
Non-Alcoholic
A well-brewed single-origin Ethiopian or Guatemalan pour-over coffee — medium roast, clean, and bright — mirrors the cocoa and dried fruit notes without competing
Who Should Smoke This?
You are a collector who has spent years chasing strength and rarity—the latest limited edition, the strongest maduro, the most obscure regional release. But tonight, after a long week of board meetings and family obligations, you pour a glass of Ron Zacapa 23, sink into a leather armchair on your screened porch, and light the Montecristo No. 2 you have been cellaring for five years. You are not looking for a punch; you are looking for a conversation. This cigar will not shout at you—it will speak in measured tones, revealing a new layer with every third, rewarding your patience with a cocoa-and-cedar depth that no new-world blend has matched. You have smoked enough to know that power fades, but harmony endures. This is your Sunday evening, your post-dinner ritual, your reminder of why you fell in love with Habanos in the first place.
Bottom Line
The Montecristo No. 2 is the definitive torpedo—a masterclass in balance that rewards patience and punishes haste. Age it, smoke it slowly, and it will convert even the most skeptical palate. This is not just a cigar; it is the standard by which all others are judged.
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 our strength scale. Physically, you will feel a gentle warmth on the palate and a mild nicotine presence that builds slowly through the final third, but it never overwhelms. It is a cigar for those who prefer flavor complexity over raw power.
What does Montecristo No. 2 taste like?
The flavor progression moves from toasted cedar, white pepper, and fresh cream in the first third, to rich Cuban earth, leather, cocoa, and dark raisin in the second, and finishes with dark chocolate, espresso, black pepper, and a hint of molasses or dried cherry in the final third.
How long does Montecristo No. 2 take to smoke?
Plan for 75 to 90 minutes. The Torpedo (Piramide) vitola at 6.125 x 52 inches requires a slow, deliberate pace to fully appreciate the flavor arc—rushing it will cause bitterness in the final third.
What is the best pairing for Montecristo No. 2?
An aged Cuban or Barbadian rum, such as Ron Zacapa 23 Solera or El Dorado 15-Year, complements the creamy cocoa and dried fruit notes without overpowering the cigar's subtlety. Alternatively, a well-aged Cognac like Hennessy XO works beautifully.
Is Montecristo No. 2 good for beginners?
It is approachable in strength (Medium), but the price point of $35–$55 per cigar and the need for focused attention make it a poor choice for novices. Beginners should start with milder, more affordable Cubans like a Montecristo No. 4 or Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 before graduating to this flagship.
Where can I buy Montecristo No. 2?
Purchase from authorized Habanos specialists in duty-free shops, international cigar retailers, or reputable online vendors that ship to your region. In the US, where Cuban cigars are restricted, you may need to travel to Canada, Europe, or other markets, or rely on trusted sources—but beware of counterfeits.
What is the price of Montecristo No. 2?
Expect to pay $35–$55 per cigar, depending on market and duty-free availability. In the US, black market premiums can push prices higher, so always buy from verified sources to avoid fakes.
Is Montecristo No. 2 worth aging?
Absolutely. The leaves are already aged a minimum of two years pre-rolling, but an additional 3–7 years of box aging in a humidor will transform the profile—harsh edges soften, the cocoa deepens, and the finish becomes silkier. A well-aged No. 2 is a completely different, superior cigar.
What wrapper does Montecristo No. 2 use?
It uses a Cuban Vuelta Abajo wrapper from Corojo-seed seco and ligero leaves, aged to a Colorado shade. This wrapper contributes a silky texture, a subtle sheen, and flavors of cedar, cream, and a gentle pepper that underpins the blend.
Where is Montecristo No. 2 made?
It is hand-rolled totalmente a mano at the H. Upmann Factory (formerly La Corona) in Havana, Cuba. The piramide vitola is technically demanding, requiring skilled torcedores to craft the tapered head without compromising the draw—quality control has improved notably since 2010.