AshMap
Overview
There is a moment, about forty-five minutes into the Montecristo No. 2, when the smoke turns from a pleasure into a memory. The tapered pirámide head, which began with a precise, almost austere focus, has opened up into a landscape of cream and earth. You are no longer smoking a cigar; you are reading the terroir of Pinar del Río in a language of roasted almond and aged leather. This is the quiet authority of the No. 2 — it does not announce itself with strength, but with a density of flavor that feels less like a blend and more like a distillation of Cuban soil. The pre-light draw offers a hint of that dry clay and cedar, a promise of the depth to come. Once lit, the narrow gauge concentrates the smoke with a laser-like precision, delivering a first third of roasted almonds, creamy cedar, and a white pepper that tingles the retrohale without ever burning. A dried citrus peel — orange, perhaps, or a faint yuzu — cuts through the earthiness, keeping the palate bright and engaged. The construction is a masterclass in engineering; the draw is firm but yielding, pulling in just the right amount of air to coax the flavors forward. As the burn line passes the halfway point, the cigar performs its famous alchemy. The cream deepens into a rich café au lait, and the dark chocolate emerges not as a sweet note, but as a bitter, grounding presence. The leather ages, becoming supple and worn, while a floral tobacco sweetness — like jasmine on a humid evening — weaves through the smoke. Espresso notes arrive, followed by a whisper of dried fig or raisin, a fruitiness that is less about sugar and more about concentration. This is the heart of the No. 2, where the complexity builds without aggression, each layer folding into the next like a well-rehearsed symphony. The final third is a descent into the mineral core of the leaf. Roasted coffee and bittersweet cocoa dominate, but the real revelation is a graphite-like quality — a cool, stony minerality that anchors the smoke and leaves a long, earthy finish on the tongue. The strength nudges toward medium-full, but it is a cerebral strength, not a physical one. In a well-aged example, the sweetness persists through the nub, a final gift of balance. This is not a cigar for distraction. It demands the full ninety minutes to two hours, and it rewards that attention with a narrative arc that few vitolas can match. The No. 2 is the benchmark, the standard against which all other pirámides are measured — not because it is the boldest or the most complex, but because it is the most honest. It is the taste of Cuba, unadorned and unforgettable.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban Vuelta Abajo — Semilla 2000 or proprietary Cuban leaf — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban Vuelta Abajo |
| Filler | Cuban Vuelta Abajo long-leaf blend — seco, volado, and ligero from the finest vegas of Pinar del Río; aged a minimum of |
| Country of Origin | Havana, Cuba — H. Upmann Factory (formerly El Rey del Mundo Factory, La Corona) |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo (Pirámide) |
| Size | 6.125 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $35–$55 per cigar (depending on market and duty) |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Tobacco aged minimum two years pre-rolling; post-production aging of 3–5 years is widely recommended and well-documented |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The tapered head opens with a refined burst of roasted almonds, creamy cedar, and white pepper on the retrohale. A distinctive earthiness — dry Vuelta Abajo clay — anchors the palate alongside subtle dried citrus peel. Construction draws you in gently; the torpedo's narrow gauge concentrates flavor beautifully from the first draw.
Second Third
This is where the No. 2 earns its legendary status. The cream deepens into a rich café au lait, layered with dark chocolate, aged leather, and subtle floral tobacco sweetness. Espresso notes emerge alongside a whisper of dried fruit — dark raisin or fig — and the Cuban terroir becomes undeniable. Complexity builds without aggression.
Final Third
The final third intensifies with roasted coffee, bittersweet cocoa, and toasted oak. A mineral, almost graphite-like quality joins the smoke as strength nudges toward medium-full. Well-aged examples retain remarkable sweetness through the nub, while younger cigars may show more pepper and spice. Finish is long, earthy, and deeply satisfying.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is exemplary when production is on — the pirámide shape demands skilled rolling and CubaTabaco delivers consistently. Draw is typically slightly firm to ideal, ash holds in dense, firm columns of pale grey, and the burn is even once the torpedo head is properly lit with patience. Occasional tunneling can occur in high-humidity storage; ensure proper conditioning before cutting.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Cuban or Barbadian rum — Havana Club 15 Año, Ron Zacapa 23, or Dictador 20 Year; alternatively a single malt Scotch from Speyside — Glenfarclas 15 or Aberlour 16 — whose sherry cask sweetness mirrors the cigar's dried fruit complexity
Wine
A mature Rioja Reserva (Marqués de Murrieta, La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904) or an aged Ribera del Duero; the earthiness and tobacco notes in old-world Tempranillo are a classical alignment with Vuelta Abajo leaf
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Cuban or Ethiopian pour-over coffee, black — the inherent brightness of the cup accentuates the cigar's cocoa and almond notes without overpowering the terroir-driven earthiness
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the collector who has spent the last decade chasing limited editions and regional releases, only to realize that the true grail has been sitting in the humi all along. It is a Tuesday evening, and you have just finished a difficult quarter at work. The house is quiet, the phone is on silent, and you have a glass of Glenfarclas 15 within reach. You are not a novice — you have smoked enough to know that strength is not the point — but you are also not a snob. You appreciate the craftsmanship of a well-rolled Cuban, and you are ready to be reminded why you fell in love with this hobby in the first place. This cigar will not challenge you; it will converse with you. It will give you a slow, evolving story of earth and cream and cocoa, and it will leave you with the quiet satisfaction of having spent two hours in the company of a masterpiece. You already know the No. 2's reputation. Now you are ready to understand it.
Bottom Line
The Montecristo No. 2 is not just the benchmark for Cuban torpedoes; it is the reason the benchmark exists. Buy a box, age it for five years, and you will own a piece of smoking history that delivers on every ounce of its legend.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montecristo No. 2 a strong cigar?
No, it is rated Medium (3/5) on our strength scale. This means it delivers a satisfying nicotine presence that builds gradually through the final third, but it never becomes harsh or overpowering. You will feel a gentle warmth and a slight cerebral buzz by the nub, but it is more about flavor depth than physical impact, making it suitable for an extended session without fatigue.
What does Montecristo No. 2 taste like?
The flavor profile evolves in three distinct acts. The first third opens with roasted almonds, creamy cedar, and a white pepper spice on the retrohale, anchored by a dry Vuelta Abajo clay earthiness and subtle dried citrus peel. The second third deepens into café au lait, dark chocolate, aged leather, and a floral tobacco sweetness, with espresso and dark raisin or fig notes emerging. The final third intensifies to roasted coffee, bittersweet cocoa, and toasted oak, finishing with a distinctive mineral, graphite-like quality.
How long does Montecristo No. 2 take to smoke?
Given its Torpedo (Pirámide) vitola and 6.125 x 52 dimensions, you should allocate between 90 minutes and two hours. The tapered head requires a patient, even light, and the dense filler blend burns slowly. This is not a cigar to rush; the experience is designed to unfold gradually, and smoking it too quickly will cause the flavors to become muddled and the burn to overheat.
What is the best pairing for Montecristo No. 2?
For a spirit pairing, an aged Cuban or Barbadian rum like Havana Club 15 Año or Ron Zacapa 23 is ideal. The rum's natural sweetness and oak notes mirror the cigar's dried fruit and cocoa complexity, creating a harmonious counterpoint. Alternatively, a Speyside single malt like Glenfarclas 15, with its sherry cask influence, will echo the raisin and fig notes perfectly. For a non-alcoholic option, a black, single-origin Ethiopian pour-over coffee provides a bright, floral acidity that accentuates the cigar's almond and cocoa notes without overwhelming the earthy terroir.
Is Montecristo No. 2 good for beginners?
Honestly, no. While its Medium (3/5) strength is approachable, the $35–$55 per cigar price point makes it a costly learning tool. More importantly, the No. 2's subtlety and complexity require a developed palate to fully appreciate. A beginner might miss the delicate transitions between the floral sweetness and the mineral finish. We recommend starting with milder, more affordable Cubans to train your palate before investing in this masterpiece.
Where can I buy Montecristo No. 2?
As a Cuban cigar, it is legally available only through authorized Habanos S.A. distributors in countries where Cuban imports are permitted. You can find it at La Casa del Habano franchises worldwide, which are the official retail outlets, or through reputable online retailers that ship to your region. Be wary of counterfeit products; always verify the box's authenticity seal and purchase from a trusted source to ensure you are getting a genuine, properly aged product.
What is the price of Montecristo No. 2?
The price typically ranges from $35 to $55 per cigar, depending on your local market and applicable tobacco duties. This places it in the Prestige tier of our rating system. The cost reflects the premium Vuelta Abajo long-filler blend, the skilled hand-rolling required for the pirámide shape, and the brand's iconic status. While not inexpensive, it is considered a benchmark cigar worth the investment for special occasions.
Is Montecristo No. 2 worth aging?
Absolutely. The tobacco is aged a minimum of two years pre-rolling, but the cigar truly transforms with 3–5 years of post-production aging in your humidor. Well-aged examples develop a remarkable sweetness through the nub and a deeper integration of the mineral and cocoa notes, while younger cigars may show more pepper and spice. The Colorado wrapper's silky oils also mellow and integrate over time, creating a more transcendent smoking experience.
What wrapper does Montecristo No. 2 use?
It uses a Cuban Vuelta Abajo wrapper, specifically from Semilla 2000 seed or other proprietary Cuban leaf. This wrapper is shade-grown in the Colorado style, presenting a warm chestnut to medium-brown color with a silky, subtly oily texture. This wrapper is the primary source of the cigar's signature earthiness and contributes the delicate notes of cedar and dried citrus peel that define the opening third.
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 and La Corona. This is a significant production detail, as the factory is renowned for its skilled torcedores who specialize in the demanding pirámide shape. The cigars are hand-rolled using the entubado filler technique, where each filler leaf is rolled into a tube, allowing for better airflow and a more even burn, a hallmark of the No. 2's exemplary construction.