AshMap
Overview
The Montecristo No. 5 is a quiet masterpiece hiding in plain sight. Introduced in 1935 as the smallest vitola in the legendary Montecristo numbered series, this 4.0 x 40 Petit Corona was never intended to intimidate. Instead, it was designed to concentrate — to distill the creamy, cedar-laced complexity of Vuelta Abajo tobacco into a 30-minute smoke that asks only for the smoker’s full attention. In an era increasingly dominated by ring-gauge maximalism and strength-chasing blends, the No. 5 remains a defiantly old-school proposition: a handmade, triple-cap, entubado-bunched cigar that relies on leaf quality and blending precision rather than sheer mass. Its wrapper, a golden honey-brown Colorado Claro leaf — Cuban-seed Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade on non-Cuban versions, or pristine Cuban Vuelta Abajo on the original — presents a silky, lightly oily surface that signals refinement before the first draw. The filler, composed of aged seco and ligero leaves from Cuba’s premier growing region, is matured a minimum of two years, a regimen that tempers strength while preserving nuance. The result is a mild-to-medium smoke (2/5 on the AshMap scale) that opens with clean creaminess, toasted cedar, and a whisper of white pepper, then evolves through roasted almond, mild espresso, and a hint of cocoa powder before closing with dried fruit sweetness and a polished, medium-long finish. The burn is razor-even, the draw effortless — benchmarks for a small-ring cigar. The No. 5 is produced at the H. Upmann Factory (La Corona) in Havana for its Cuban incarnation, and in Santiago, Dominican Republic, under the Altadis USA/General Cigar umbrella for the non-Cuban version. Both are premium offerings, but the Cuban original holds a particular place in the connoisseur’s heart: its small ring gauge forces the leaf to burn hotter and faster, demanding flawless blending. This is not a cigar for those who measure satisfaction by nicotine impact or smoke volume. It is a cigar for those who want to taste tobacco, transparently and without distraction — a civilized quick smoke that has earned its understated reputation over nearly nine decades.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban-seed Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade or Cuban Vuelta Abajo (Cuban version) — Colorado Claro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban Vuelta Abajo (Cuban production); Dominican or Nicaraguan leaf for non-Cuban versions |
| Filler | Vuelta Abajo Cuban tobaccos, including seco and ligero leaves aged a minimum of two years (Cuban original); Dominican an |
| Country of Origin | H. Upmann Factory (La Corona), Havana, Cuba (original Cuban); Santiago, Dominican Republic for the Altadis/General Cigar |
| Vitola / Shape | Petit Corona |
| Size | 4.0 x 40 |
| Strength | Mild-Medium |
| Price | $18–$28 per cigar depending on Cuban vs. non-Cuban version and market |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Minimum two years on the leaf for Cuban production; box aging of 3–6 months recommended for optimal flavor development |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The opening draws reveal a clean, creamy creaminess over a foundation of toasted cedar and light hay. A gentle white pepper tingle greets the retrohale, while mild floral notes — reminiscent of dried jasmine — emerge alongside fresh-baked bread.
Second Third
The profile transitions into roasted almond, mild espresso, and a hint of cocoa powder as the tobacco opens up with heat. A nuanced earthiness — damp limestone and aged wood — underscores the mid-palate while retaining that signature Montecristo creaminess.
Final Third
The final inch tightens the flavor, pushing cedar and white pepper forward while a pleasant sweetness of dried fruit — figs or golden raisin — lingers on the finish. The finish is medium-long, clean, and consistently refined without harshness.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is exemplary on both Cuban and non-Cuban versions — the draw is effortless with just the right resistance, the burn line is razor-even, and the ash holds firm in tight, light-grey columns well past an inch. A benchmark small-ring cigar for structural consistency.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A light single malt Scotch (Glenfiddich 12 or Auchentoshan Three Wood) or a mild aged rum like Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva — avoid heavily peated expressions that overwhelm the delicate profile
Wine
White Burgundy (Puligny-Montrachet) or a light Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley — the cigar's subtlety demands restraint in the glass
Non-Alcoholic
A medium-roast Colombian pour-over or a lightly sweetened cortado; alternatively, a Ceylon orange pekoe tea with milk
Who Should Smoke This?
The Montecristo No. 5 is for the experienced smoker who values precision over power. It suits the connoisseur who understands that concentration and elegance are not a function of ring gauge, and who reaches for a cigar when time is limited but standards are not. This is an ideal morning or midday smoke — a 30- to 40-minute accompaniment to a cortado or a light single malt, perfect for a business pause or a quiet interlude. Beginners will find it approachable in strength but should come with patience for its subtlety; it rewards those who retrohale and pay attention. The No. 5 is not a bomb, and it makes no apologies for that. It is a gentleman’s quick smoke: brief in practice, unhurried in spirit.
Bottom Line
The Montecristo No. 5 proves that great things come in small vitolas. It is a benchmark of Cuban blending — refined, transparent, and utterly without pretense. For the smoker who values craft over spectacle, this is the gold standard of the petit corona format.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Montecristo cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montecristo No. 5 a strong cigar?
No. It is rated mild-to-medium on the AshMap scale (2/5). The strength is gentle and never aggressive, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer nuance over nicotine impact.
What does Montecristo No. 5 taste like?
The flavor profile opens with creamy cedar, fresh hay, and a light white pepper tingle. The middle third introduces roasted almond, mild espresso, and cocoa powder, with a damp limestone earthiness. The final third tightens into cedar, white pepper, and dried fruit sweetness — figs or golden raisins — on a clean, medium-long finish.
How long does Montecristo No. 5 take to smoke?
Approximately 30 to 40 minutes, depending on your pacing. It is designed as a quick, civilized smoke for occasions where time is at a premium.
What is the best pairing for Montecristo No. 5?
A light single malt Scotch such as Glenfiddich 12 or a mild aged rum like Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva complements the profile without overwhelming it. For wine drinkers, a White Burgundy or a light Willamette Valley Pinot Noir works beautifully. Non-alcoholic pairings include a medium-roast Colombian pour-over coffee or a Ceylon orange pekoe tea with milk.
Is Montecristo No. 5 good for beginners?
Yes, in terms of strength — it is mild enough to be approachable. However, its subtle flavor profile rewards an experienced palate. Beginners should smoke it slowly and pay attention to the retrohale to fully appreciate the cigar's nuance.
Where can I buy Montecristo No. 5?
Cuban Montecristo No. 5 is available at authorized La Casa del Habano retailers, duty-free shops, and select online vendors who ship from Cuba. The non-Cuban Dominican version is widely available at premium cigar shops in the United States and through online retailers like those operated by Altadis USA and General Cigar.
What is the price of Montecristo No. 5?
Expect to pay between $18 and $28 per cigar, depending on whether you purchase the Cuban or non-Cuban version, and on local market conditions. Cuban versions tend to command the higher end of that range.
Is Montecristo No. 5 worth aging?
Yes. Cuban production already uses leaf aged a minimum of two years. An additional 3 to 6 months of box aging allows the flavors to harmonize further, softening the white pepper and deepening the creaminess. With proper storage, it can age gracefully for several years.
What wrapper does Montecristo No. 5 use?
The Cuban version uses a Cuban Vuelta Abajo wrapper in Colorado Claro — a silky, lightly oily golden honey-brown leaf. The non-Cuban Dominican version uses a Cuban-seed Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, also in Colorado Claro.
Where is Montecristo No. 5 made?
The original Cuban Montecristo No. 5 is made at the H. Upmann Factory (La Corona) in Havana, Cuba. There is also a non-Cuban version produced in Santiago, Dominican Republic, under the Altadis USA and General Cigar umbrella.