AshMap
Overview
The Montecristo No. 2 Petit Torpedito is a masterclass in compression—not just of size, but of intent. It takes the most iconic silhouette in the cigar canon, the torpedo, and shrinks it into a 45-minute meditation without losing the architectural drama that makes the format sing. From the first cold draw, there’s a quiet confidence here: the closed head funnels air into a stream of almond and toasted cedar, a prelude that feels less like a tease and more like a promise. Light it, and the tapered tip delivers a focused, creamy smoke that hits roasted cashew and a light espresso note, with a floral undertone that speaks to the piloto cubano leaf’s elegance. The strength is present but polite—a medium that lets you settle into the rhythm rather than brace for impact.
By the second third, the cigar reveals its true ambition. The cocoa that was a whisper in the opening now deepens into a rich, dark chocolate, while seasoned leather and dried fig emerge, weaving through a persistent cedar spice. The figurado shape concentrates the smoke beautifully, and the complexity climbs with each draw—there’s a faint earthiness on the retrohale that grounds the profile, keeping it from veering into sweetness. This is where the Petit Torpedito earns its keep: it delivers the full No. 2 arc, but with a density that feels almost like a different blend, not just a shorter version. The burn stays even, though the tapered head demands a touch-up now and then, a small price for the focused draw.
The final third tightens the screws. Espresso and dark chocolate take center stage, backed by toasted oak and a pepper that builds but never bites. The signature Montecristo creaminess holds through to the nub, and the finish is long, warm, and satisfying—a reminder that this is a cigar built for closure, not just consumption. The ash holds firm, off-white and compact, releasing at about an inch and a half. It’s a smoke that respects your time without making you feel rushed, and it leaves you with the sense that you’ve experienced something complete, not abbreviated.
What makes this cigar distinctive is its dual identity. In the Dominican edition, it’s a study in balance—the Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper adds a silky texture and a mild sweetness that frames the filler’s nutty, earthy core. The Cuban edition, if you can find it, swaps in Vuelta Abajo leaf that introduces a mineral, terroir-driven edge that the Dominican version can’t replicate. Both are premium expressions, but they’re different animals. This is a cigar for the smoker who knows exactly what they want and doesn’t have all afternoon to get it—a focused, layered experience that respects the torpedo’s legacy while carving its own path.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban-seed Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade or Dominican-grown wrapper (Habano-style); Cuban edition uses Vuelta Abajo wrapp — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Dominican or Cuban Vuelta Abajo (depending on market edition) |
| Filler | Dominican long-filler blend (piloto cubano, olor dominicano) for non-Cuban editions; Cuban edition uses Vuelta Abajo and |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic (General Cigar / Altadis USA non-Cuban edition); La Habana, Cuba (Habanos S.A. Cuban editio |
| Vitola / Shape | Petit Torpedo (Torpedito) |
| Size | 4.5 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $12–$18 per cigar (non-Cuban); $20–$30+ Cuban edition depending on market |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobacco aged a minimum of 2 years in Dominican production; Cuban edition Habanos-standard aging; box aging of 3–6 months |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with almonds, toasted cedar, and a whisper of white pepper on the retrohale. Once lit, the torpedo head channels a focused stream of creamy smoke, delivering roasted cashew, light espresso, and a subtle floral note typical of Dominican piloto cubano. Strength is restrained but present, establishing a clean, balanced platform.
Second Third
The midpoint is where this cigar earns its reputation — cocoa deepens, joined by seasoned leather, dried fruit (raisin, fig), and a persistent cedar spice. The figurado shape concentrates smoke delivery beautifully, and complexity rises noticeably. A slight earthiness enters on the retrohale, rounding out the profile with genuine elegance.
Final Third
The final third tightens into rich espresso, dark chocolate, and toasted oak with a building but never aggressive pepper finish. The classic Montecristo creaminess holds through to the nub. Strength inches toward medium-full without crossing into harshness, and the finish is long, warm, and satisfying — a hallmark of the No. 2 lineage.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is exemplary — the torpedo head cuts cleanly and the draw is open yet structured, neither loose nor restrictive. The burn is even, occasionally requiring a touch-up due to the tapered head concentrating heat, and the ash is firm and off-white, holding 1 to 1.5 inches before release.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A 12-year aged Rum (Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva) complements the cocoa and dried fruit beautifully; alternatively, a lightly peated Scotch such as Glenmorangie 18 or Dalmore 15 echoes the cedar and toasted nut profile without overpowering it
Wine
A medium-bodied Rioja Reserva (Marqués de Riscal or La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva) — the Tempranillo's dried cherry and vanilla align perfectly with the cigar's second-third complexity
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Colombian pour-over coffee (medium roast, washed process) — its brightness cuts through creaminess while reinforcing the mocha and nut notes
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the collector who has a humidor full of 60-ring monsters but finds themselves reaching for something shorter on a Tuesday afternoon. You’re the smoker who’s been through a box of the full-sized No. 2 and appreciates its arc, but today you have a 45-minute window between meetings, and you want that same depth without the time commitment. You already enjoy medium-bodied cigars with a nutty, creamy profile—maybe you’ve been smoking Padróns or Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Stories—and you’re looking for something that rewards attention but doesn’t demand it. You’ll light this up on a quiet patio with a pour-over coffee, not at a loud party. It’s for the moment when you want to think, not socialize, and you need a cigar that can keep pace with your thoughts without overwhelming them.
Bottom Line
The Montecristo No. 2 Petit Torpedito is a rare feat: a short smoke that doesn’t feel shortchanged. It delivers the full No. 2 experience in a compact format, with enough complexity to satisfy a seasoned palate and a construction that honors the torpedo’s demanding geometry. If you can find the Cuban edition, it’s a must-buy; the Dominican version is a worthy stand-in, but the Vuelta Abajo leaf adds a dimension that elevates the blend to another level.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Montecristo No. 2 cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montecristo No. 2 Petit Torpedito a strong cigar?
No, it’s rated Medium (3/5) on the strength scale. You’ll feel a gentle build through the final third, but it never crosses into full-bodied territory. The nicotine presence is noticeable but not overwhelming—you can smoke it on an empty stomach without feeling dizzy, though it’s best enjoyed after a meal to fully appreciate the flavors.
What does Montecristo No. 2 Petit Torpedito taste like?
The flavor progression moves from roasted cashew, light espresso, and a floral note in the first third, to dark cocoa, seasoned leather, dried fig, and cedar spice in the second, and finishes with rich espresso, dark chocolate, toasted oak, and a building white pepper on the retrohale. There’s a persistent creaminess throughout, especially in the Dominican edition.
How long does Montecristo No. 2 Petit Torpedito take to smoke?
Expect a 45–55 minute smoke, depending on your pace. The 4.5 x 52 vitola is compact, but the torpedo head concentrates the draw, so you’ll get a dense, flavorful smoke that doesn’t burn too fast. If you’re a slow smoker, you might stretch it to an hour, but it’s designed for a focused session, not a marathon.
What is the best pairing for Montecristo No. 2 Petit Torpedito?
A 12-year aged rum like Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva is ideal—the cocoa and dried fruit notes in the cigar mirror the rum’s caramel and raisin complexity. If you prefer something less sweet, a lightly peated Scotch like Glenmorangie 18 or Dalmore 15 will echo the cedar and toasted nut profile without overpowering it. For a non-alcoholic option, a single-origin Colombian pour-over coffee (medium roast, washed process) cuts through the creaminess and reinforces the mocha and nut notes.
Is Montecristo No. 2 Petit Torpedito good for beginners?
It’s not the best starting point. The medium strength is manageable, but the torpedo shape requires a precise cut and a slower smoking pace to avoid overheating. Plus, at $12–$18 per cigar (non-Cuban) or $20–$30+ for the Cuban edition, it’s an investment better suited to someone who already knows they enjoy cigars. Beginners should start with a milder, more forgiving vitola like a robusto or corona before tackling this.
Where can I buy Montecristo No. 2 Petit Torpedito?
The Dominican edition is widely available at premium cigar retailers, both brick-and-mortar and online, including shops like Corona Cigar Co., Neptune Cigars, or directly from General Cigar’s distributors. The Cuban edition is only sold through Habanos S.A. authorized dealers, which means you’ll need to purchase it in Cuba, at duty-free shops in airports, or through reputable international online retailers that ship to your country (where legal).
What is the price of Montecristo No. 2 Petit Torpedito?
The non-Cuban edition typically retails for $12–$18 per cigar, depending on your local taxes and retailer markup. The Cuban edition is pricier, ranging from $20–$30+ per cigar, with prices varying significantly by market and availability. You may find slight discounts when buying a box of 10 or 25, but this is a premium-tier cigar, so expect to pay for the quality.
Is Montecristo No. 2 Petit Torpedito worth aging?
Yes, but with caveats. The Dominican edition uses tobacco aged a minimum of 2 years, so it’s already well-rested, but a further 6–12 months of box aging will soften the pepper and deepen the cocoa and leather notes. The Cuban edition, with its Vuelta Abajo wrapper, benefits even more from aging—2–3 years will round out the harsh edges and bring out a honeyed sweetness. However, the Petit Torpedito is designed for shorter-term enjoyment, so don’t overdo it; beyond 5 years, the flavors may start to fade.
What wrapper does Montecristo No. 2 Petit Torpedito use?
The non-Cuban edition uses a Cuban-seed Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade or a Dominican-grown Habano-style wrapper, depending on the release. The Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade is silky with a light sheen and contributes a mild sweetness and creamy texture. The Cuban edition uses a Vuelta Abajo wrapper from Cuba, which is a shade-grown leaf that adds a distinct earthy, mineral complexity and a slightly darker color. Both are medium-brown with minimal veining, but the Cuban wrapper has a more pronounced terroir character.
Where is Montecristo No. 2 Petit Torpedito made?
The non-Cuban edition is hand-rolled in Santiago, Dominican Republic, at the General Cigar / Altadis USA factory, using Dominican long-filler tobaccos like piloto cubano and olor dominicano. The Cuban edition is produced in La Habana, Cuba, by Habanos S.A., using Vuelta Abajo filler and binder. Both are triple-capped, figurado constructions, but the Cuban edition is made under strict Habanos quality control standards, which can result in slight variations in draw and burn compared to the more consistent Dominican production.