Montecristo Petit No. 2 Review

Overview

The Montecristo Petit No. 2 is a masterclass in compression: taking the legendary profile of the Montecristo No. 2—arguably the most iconic torpedo in the history of premium cigars—and distilling it into a format that respects the demands of modern time without sacrificing the complexity that made the original a benchmark. At just 4.5 inches with a 52-ring gauge, this petite belicoso is not a compromise; it is a deliberate architectural choice. Produced in both a Cuban version (Habanos S.A., rolled at the H. Upmann factory or El Laguito in Havana) and a non-Cuban version (General Cigar/Altadis, La Romana, Dominican Republic), the Petit No. 2 exists in two distinct genealogies. The Cuban iteration uses a Vuelta Abajo wrapper—a medium Colorado shade with a silky sheen—while the non-Cuban employs a Cuban-seed Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade or Dominican-grown wrapper depending on the market. Both versions share a Dominican binder and Dominican long-fillers from the Cibao Valley, aged a minimum of two to three years before rolling, yielding a medium-strength smoke that rewards patience and precision.

The construction is a point of pride. Triple-capped and hand-rolled, the Petit No. 2 demands a careful cut at the shoulder of the torpedo—a V-cut or sharp guillotine is recommended—to achieve optimal draw. Once lit, the cold draw hints at cedar, toasted almond, and cream. The opening third delivers a clean marriage of smooth cedar and mild earth, with a gentle white pepper on the retrohale that signals the cigar’s complexity to come. As the taper opens in the second third, the profile broadens: leather and cocoa emerge alongside the cedar spine, and a subtle dried-fruit sweetness—almost caramel-like—surfaces to balance the earthiness. The final third tightens and deepens: leather intensifies, espresso notes take root, and the spice rises slightly on the finish, yet the burn remains even and the ash holds firm in dense grey columns. The entire experience unfolds over 45 to 60 minutes—a deliberate reduction from the classic No. 2’s 90-minute journey, but one that retains the essential arc of start, development, and climax.

In the pantheon of what might be called ‘the short torpedo genre,’ the Montecristo Petit No. 2 holds a unique position. It is not a quick cigar in the sense of a machine-made or simple smokes; it is a precision instrument for those who understand that time can be compressed but not eliminated. The cigar bridges the gap between a full-length vitola and a short smoke, offering the aficionado the chance to engage with a classic blend without the commitment of a long afternoon. For Cuban purists, the Habanos version remains the gold standard—a product of Havana’s most hallowed rolling rooms, with a wrapper that carries the terroir of Vuelta Abajo. The non-Cuban Altadis offering is a capable, consistent everyday torpedo, but it plays in a different league. Both are valid; both are worth knowing. But if you have never experienced the Cuban Montecristo No. 2 in any of its forms, make it a priority—this vitola, in its full or petit expression, is one of the enduring archetypes of the premium cigar world.