AshMap
Overview
The Montecristo Open Eagle Torpedo is a study in deliberate misdirection. It wears the uniform of a legacy brand, but it refuses to play the part of a brooding, leather-clad heavyweight. Instead, it presents itself as a golden, sunlit afternoon—a cigar that understands its role as an ambassador, not an enforcer. This is the Open line's flagship, a torpedo that doesn't demand your full, reverent attention, but rather earns it through a quiet, persistent charm that unfolds over the course of a leisurely hour and a half. It is the answer to a question the purists are too afraid to ask: what if a Montecristo could be less about history and more about the present moment?
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade — Colorado Claro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Dominican |
| Filler | Dominican Republic — aged long-fillers from the Cibao Valley, primarily olor and piloto cubano varietals |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic — General Cigar Company / La Tabacalera de García |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo |
| Size | 6.0 x 54 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $12–$18 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of 3 years before blending; limited additional post-rolling aging noted in early releases |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The Ecuadorian wrapper leads with creamy cedar and toasted almond, underpinned by a gentle white pepper on the retrohale. A mild floral sweetness — reminiscent of meadow hay and light vanilla — emerges as the draw opens up. Construction is typically excellent, producing a cool, easy draw from the first light.
Second Third
The body fills out noticeably in the middle third with roasted cashew, dried apricot, and a pleasant bakery-spice note — think cinnamon and light nutmeg. The pepper on the retrohale softens into a warming earthiness, and a subtle leather note begins to develop along the palate's edge. Complexity is moderate but consistent.
Final Third
The final third transitions toward medium-full territory with deeper notes of espresso, dark wood, and a mild cocoa bitterness on the finish. The sweetness from the first two thirds recedes but doesn't disappear entirely, leaving a pleasing balance. Finish is medium-long with lingering cedar and roasted nut.
Construction, Burn & Draw
The Open Eagle routinely delivers outstanding construction — even burn line, firm white-gray ash that holds well past an inch, and a draw that is neither loose nor restricted. The torpedo head rewards a disciplined, tapered cut to best control the draw resistance.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Dominican rum (Barceló Imperial, Brugal 1888) or a lightly peated Scotch single malt (Glenfiddich 15 Solera, Aberfeldy 12) — both complement the creamy, nut-forward profile without overpowering it
Wine
New World Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley or Central Otago) or an unoaked white Burgundy — the wine's bright acidity and stone fruit notes mirror the cigar's apricot and floral sweetness
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Colombian pour-over or a lightly sweetened oat milk flat white — the cigar's almond and vanilla notes harmonize beautifully with medium-roast coffee
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the collector who has a humidor full of bold, vintage-styled maduros but finds himself reaching for them less and less. He's a mid-career professional, say a landscape architect, who on a Thursday afternoon finishes a site visit early and finds himself with an unexpected 90 minutes of golden-hour light. He wants something that won't demand a full sensory commitment, but will still reward his attention. He already enjoys the creamy profile of an Ashton VSG or the nutty character of a Padrón Damaso. He wants a cigar that feels like a well-tailored linen jacket—refined, comfortable, and appropriate for the moment without trying to be the center of it. This Eagle will give him a contemplative, balanced smoke that pairs with his pour-over coffee and the quiet satisfaction of a day that ended better than it began.
Bottom Line
The Open Eagle Torpedo is a masterclass in accessible sophistication, proving that a 'gateway' cigar can be a destination in its own right. It delivers a consistently engaging, medium-bodied journey that justifies its price tag with flawless construction and a refined flavor arc. This is the cigar you reach for when you want to remember why you enjoy the ritual, not just the rarity.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Montecristo No. 2 cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montecristo Open Eagle Torpedo a strong cigar?
No, it is rated as a Medium (3/5) strength cigar. Physically, this means you'll experience a comfortable, building warmth rather than a nicotine punch. The body fills out in the second and final thirds, but it never becomes overwhelming, making it suitable for an afternoon smoke without a heavy meal.
What does Montecristo Open Eagle Torpedo taste like?
The flavor journey begins with creamy cedar, toasted almond, and a gentle white pepper on the retrohale. The middle third introduces roasted cashew, dried apricot, and a bakery-spice note of cinnamon and nutmeg. It concludes with deeper notes of espresso, dark wood, and a mild cocoa bitterness on the finish.
How long does Montecristo Open Eagle Torpedo take to smoke?
Given its Torpedo vitola and 6.0 x 54 size, you should set aside approximately 90 minutes. The tapered head and dense filler require a slow, deliberate pace to appreciate the flavor progression, making it a perfect fit for a long conversation or a solo session with a book.
What is the best pairing for Montecristo Open Eagle Torpedo?
For a spirit pairing, an aged Dominican rum like Barceló Imperial is ideal. Its inherent sweetness and oak notes mirror the cigar's creamy almond and vanilla character, while its body is robust enough to stand up to the espresso and dark wood notes in the final third without overpowering the palate.
Is Montecristo Open Eagle Torpedo good for beginners?
Yes, with a caveat. Its Medium strength and creamy, non-aggressive flavor profile make it an excellent learning palate. However, the $12–$18 price point is a significant investment for a novice. It's a better choice for a beginner who has already smoked a few milder cigars and is ready to explore a more complex, refined blend.
Where can I buy Montecristo Open Eagle Torpedo?
As a premium, hand-rolled cigar, it is best purchased from a dedicated brick-and-mortar tobacconist where you can inspect the wrapper and get personalized advice. It is also widely available from reputable online cigar retailers that specialize in premium brands and offer proper humidified shipping.
What is the price of Montecristo Open Eagle Torpedo?
The Montecristo Open Eagle Torpedo typically retails for between $12 and $18 per cigar. This price point positions it as a premium, special-occasion smoke rather than an everyday value, reflecting its aged tobaccos and hand-rolled construction at La Tabacalera de García.
Is Montecristo Open Eagle Torpedo worth aging?
While the tobaccos are already aged a minimum of three years before blending, this cigar is not a primary candidate for long-term cellaring. The Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper is delicate and will lose its nuanced sweetness over time. It is best enjoyed within 1-2 years of purchase to capture its vibrant, creamy peak.
What wrapper does Montecristo Open Eagle Torpedo use?
It uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, which has a golden honey-brown Colorado Claro color. This wrapper is known for contributing a silky texture, minimal tooth, and a signature creaminess that forms the base for the cigar's cedar, almond, and subtle floral sweetness.
Where is Montecristo Open Eagle Torpedo made?
It is hand-rolled at the La Tabacalera de García factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic, which is owned by the General Cigar Company. This facility is renowned for its large-scale production of premium cigars, and it is here that the Dominican long-fillers from the Cibao Valley are expertly blended and rolled into the Torpedo format.