AshMap
Overview
The Montecristo No. 2 is not merely a cigar; it is the Platonic ideal of the torpedo vitola, a benchmark that has defined the category for decades. Introduced in 1935 as part of the original Montecristo lineup, this 6.125 x 52 Pirámide emerged during a golden era of Cuban cigar innovation, when the H. Upmann Factory (and formerly the El Rey del Mundo and La Corona facilities) in Havana became the crucible for what many consider the most iconic shape in Habanos history. From its inception, the No. 2 was designed to concentrate flavor through its tapered head, forcing the smoker to engage slowly with a blend of Vuelta Abajo long-fillers—seco, volado, and ligero from the finest vegas of Pinar del Río—that have been aged a minimum of two years pre-rolling. The result is a cigar that, at its best, transcends its physical form to become a meditation on Cuban terroir.
The character of the Montecristo No. 2 is one of deliberate, layered complexity. Upon lighting the narrow tip—a process that rewards patience and a soft flame—the first third delivers a refined burst of roasted almonds and creamy cedar, with white pepper threading through the retrohale. The palate is anchored by a distinctive dry Vuelta Abajo clay earthiness, punctuated by subtle dried citrus peel. This opening is a study in restraint, drawing the smoker inward as the torpedo's geometry concentrates every note. As the burn progresses into the second third, the cigar reveals its legendary depth: café au lait richness, dark chocolate, aged leather, and a whisper of floral tobacco sweetness. Espresso and dried dark fruit—raisin or fig—emerge, and the unmistakable mark of Cuban soil becomes undeniable. The final third builds toward a crescendo of roasted coffee, bittersweet cocoa, and toasted oak, with a mineral, almost graphite-like quality that nudges the medium-strength profile toward medium-full. Well-aged examples retain a remarkable sweetness through the nub, while younger boxes may show more pepper and spice; the finish is long, earthy, and deeply satisfying.
In the annals of premium cigar history, the Montecristo No. 2 occupies a singular position. It is the standard against which all other pirámides are measured, full stop. Younger boxes from 2015 onward, following Habanos’ post-reform production improvements, have shown marked consistency, but the transcendent experience lies in a box-dated No. 2 aged five to eight years. This is the cigar that converts skeptics into Cubanophiles. Its construction is exemplary when production is on—the pirámide shape demands skilled rolling, and CubaTabaco delivers, with a draw that is typically slightly firm to ideal, dense pale-grey ash, and an even burn once the torpedo head is properly lit. Occasional tunneling can occur in high-humidity storage, so proper conditioning is essential. The Montecristo No. 2 is not a casual smoke; it commands ninety minutes to two hours of unhurried attention, rewarding contemplation with each evolving note. This is a prestige-tier cigar that belongs in the humidor of any serious collector, and its legacy as the most important Cuban torpedo ever made remains unchallenged.
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?
The Montecristo No. 2 is for the seasoned aficionado who has already explored the breadth of Cuban vitolas and seeks the definitive expression of the torpedo form. It demands a smoker with patience and discernment—someone who understands that a Pirámide must be lit slowly and smoked deliberately to unlock its full arc of complexity. This is not a cigar for a hurried commute or a loud social gathering; reserve it for an unhurried afternoon or evening where its evolving layers can command full attention. The No. 2 will equally reward the collector who ages boxes for five to eight years, but it is approachable enough for the dedicated enthusiast ready to graduate from milder profiles. A minimum commitment of ninety minutes to two hours is essential. If you seek a cigar that challenges, refines, and ultimately deepens your understanding of Cuban terroir, this is your benchmark.
Bottom Line
The Montecristo No. 2 is the definitive Cuban torpedo—the benchmark against which all other pirámides are measured. Its depth, complexity, and aging potential place it in the highest tier of premium cigars, and no serious collection is complete without it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montecristo No. 2 a strong cigar?
The Montecristo No. 2 is rated medium strength (3/5). It builds gradually from a refined opening to a medium-full finish in the final third, but it never overwhelms with raw power. The strength is balanced by creamy textures and complex earthiness, making it approachable for experienced smokers while remaining a benchmark for Cuban balance.
What does Montecristo No. 2 taste like?
Expect a complex profile that evolves in thirds. The first third delivers roasted almonds, creamy cedar, white pepper, and dry Vuelta Abajo clay earthiness with subtle dried citrus peel. The second third deepens into café au lait, dark chocolate, aged leather, floral sweetness, espresso, and dried dark fruit (raisin or fig). The final third intensifies with roasted coffee, bittersweet cocoa, toasted oak, and a mineral, graphite-like quality. Well-aged examples retain remarkable sweetness through the nub.
How long does Montecristo No. 2 take to smoke?
Plan for 90 minutes to two hours minimum. The torpedo shape requires a patient, even burn, and rushing the experience will compromise the evolving complexity. This is a cigar best reserved for an unhurried afternoon or evening.
What is the best pairing for Montecristo No. 2?
For spirits, aged Cuban or Barbadian rum is ideal—Havana Club 15 Año, Ron Zacapa 23, or Dictador 20 Year. A Speyside single malt Scotch such as Glenfarclas 15 or Aberlour 16 also complements the dried fruit and sherry cask notes. For wine, a mature Rioja Reserva (Marqués de Murrieta, La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904) or aged Ribera del Duero aligns beautifully with the cigar's earthiness. For a non-alcoholic pairing, a single-origin Cuban or Ethiopian pour-over coffee (black) accentuates the cocoa and almond notes without overpowering the terroir.
Is Montecristo No. 2 good for beginners?
The Montecristo No. 2 is not recommended for beginners. Its complexity, medium strength, and 90-minute to two-hour smoking time demand experience and patience. New smokers are better suited to smaller, milder vitolas before attempting this benchmark torpedo, which rewards a trained palate and a deliberate smoking pace.
Where can I buy Montecristo No. 2?
The Montecristo No. 2 is a standard production Cuban cigar available at authorized Habanos retailers worldwide, including La Casa del Habano franchises, duty-free shops at international airports, and reputable online vendors that ship from countries such as Switzerland, Hong Kong, or the UAE. Always verify the authenticity seal and box date before purchasing.
What is the price of Montecristo No. 2?
Pricing ranges from $35 to $55 per cigar, depending on the market, local duties, and retailer. Prices can be higher in regions with heavy tobacco taxation (e.g., the United Kingdom, Canada) and lower in duty-free or Habanos-friendly markets like Switzerland or Cuba. Limited editions or aged boxes may command a premium.
Is Montecristo No. 2 worth aging?
Absolutely. While the tobacco is aged a minimum of two years pre-rolling, an additional 3–5 years of post-production aging is widely recommended and well-documented. A box-dated Montecristo No. 2 aged 5–8 years is considered a transcendent smoking experience, with flavors becoming more integrated, sweetness more pronounced, and pepper notes mellowing into refined complexity.
What wrapper does Montecristo No. 2 use?
The wrapper is Cuban Vuelta Abajo leaf—either Semilla 2000 or proprietary Cuban seed. It is shade-grown to a Colorado color (warm chestnut to medium-brown), and the leaf is silky with a subtle oiliness. This wrapper is a key contributor to the cigar's aromatic complexity and even burn.
Where is Montecristo No. 2 made?
The Montecristo No. 2 is made in Havana, Cuba, at the H. Upmann Factory (formerly the El Rey del Mundo Factory and La Corona Factory). It is entirely hand-rolled using the entubado filler technique, a hallmark of premium Cuban construction that allows for optimal airflow and even combustion within the torpedo shape.