Montecristo

MONTECRISTO

Flavour profile: Classic: medium to full Open Series: medium

Linea 193: full

Montecristo is the best known and probably the most appreciated brand of Havanas throughout the world. It forms the benchmark for many Havana smokers against which other brands are judged.

The name comes from Alexandre Dumas’ famous novel ‘The Count of Montecristo’, which was a firm favourite when read to the Torcedoras (cigar rollers) at the factory where it was founded in 1935.

The original Montecristo range of sizes was composed of a narrow assortment numbered from 1 to 5. Today it consists of a wide variety of vitolas to cover every level of the cigar enthusiast’s needs.

2009 saw the introduction of a new Series, Montecristo Open, consisting of four sizes blended to a lighter flavour than other sizes in Montecristo’s range and aimed at a new generation of smokers, who enjoy the pleasures of outdoor pursuits.

More recently the 2017 addition of La Linea 1935 provided a welcome full-flavoured option for the brand’s many admirers.

Whether it is within the classic medium-to-full line, the lighter Open Series or the newer, more powerful, Linea 1935, Montecristo’s perfectly balanced blends are all created exclusively with selected filler and binder leaves from the Vuelta Abajo zone, home of the finest tobaccos in the world.

All sizes are ‘tripa larga, totalmente a mano’ – long filler, totally handmade.

The Range Classic

AIntroduced in 1971, this commanding shape remains the longest in production in Cuba. A mythical vitola that rewards the aficionado with a mounting richness of taste. Set aside a good three hours to fully enjoy.

Especial

Introduced in 1971 and sharing its dimensions with Cohiba’s Lanceros, the Especial offers a slightly more intense flavour in this elegant size.

Especial No.2

Another vitola that Montecristo shares with Cohiba. Slender ring gauges may not be in vogue these days, but 38 is sufficient to house the full Montecristo blend in a dapper shape.

Joyita

A cigar that benefits from being sipped rather than gulped, but one that rewards the more patient cigar smoker with a short, intense shot of Montecristo’s famous flavour.

Edmundo

Named after Alexandre Dumas’ hero Edmundo Dantès in ‘The Count of Montecristo’. The Edmundo was one of the first extra heavy gauge Parejo (straight-sided) sizes produced in Cuba in the 21st century. Big and rewarding.

Petit Edmundo

Edmundo’s little brother blessedly burst onto the scene just ahead of the UK smoking ban in 2007 so that devotees of heavy gauge, intense flavoured cigars had a shorter alternative.

Double Edmundo

This 2013 addition to the Edmundo range is a Doble, nearly an inch (20 mm) longer than the original Edmundo and slightly slimmer. A welcome addition to the star-studded line up.

No.1

The lead size of Montecristo when it was introduced in 1935. The standard bearer for the medium to full, tangy taste that conquered the world. A treasure for the cognoscenti of Havana cigars.

No.2

If ever one brand has come to dominate a particular vitola, this is it. The classic Pirámide or ‘torpedo’ size. Easy burning with a controlled release of faithful Montecristo flavours; many devotees look no further than this.

Petit No.2

All the medium to full character of the classic No.2 in a shorter smoke. Considering the popularity of the classic No.2 the only question really is why it took so long to arrive, being released in 2013, 78 years after the original.

No.3

Another of the original Montecristos; this one a Corona. From start to finish it maintains the true taste of this brand and is the stalwart vitola amongst the more recent, trendier, excitable sizes that emerge.

No.4

The most popular individual handmade cigar in the UK. Its rich, tangy, medium to full flavour acts as the benchmark for most smokers embarking on the journey to find their preferred Habano. Many return to it. A trusted friend who never lets you down.

No.5

The smallest of Montecristo’s original, tightly defined range. A good, pressed cigar with a flavour and aroma that develops during smoking. A faithful companion almost anywhere.

Media Corona

At just 3 1⁄2” (90mm) long, this is as short a cigar as you will find being made in Cuba today. However, despite its lack of length it is still able to deliver plenty of Montecristo taste. Ideal for when time is not a virtue.

Petit Tubos

The ubiquitous No.4 in a cedar-lined, aluminium tube first produced specially for Hunters & Frankau in the mid 1980s. Attributed by many as their first ever encounter with a “proper” cigar.

Tubos

This elegantly presented extra length Corona, cedar-wrapped in an aluminium tube, was the first new vitola to be added to Montecristo’s original range in the late 1950s. Eminently portable.

Open Series:

Open Eagle

The largest of the Montecristo Open series. Its commanding 54 ring gauge format houses a different, lighter tobacco blend than you find in standard Montecristos. Suits experienced and novice smokers and golfers alike.

Open Regata

When released this was a completely new figurado shape made in the image of the famous No.2, but shorter and thinner. All the smoking characteristics of its big brother are preserved in a lighter flavoured, less time demanding size.

Open Master

The Open Series created space, at last, for a Robusto size in Montecristo’s illustrious line-up. A delightful medium bodied cigar in the classic shape and sporting the all-important fleur-de-lys on its band.

Open J

The smallest of the Open Series. The J takes the form of a rare vitola previously only found in the Le Hoyo Series (du Deputé). A perfect morning or aperitif smoke.

Linea 1935:

Leyenda

The largest of the three cigars that comprise Montecristo's new Linea 1935, the Leyenda delivers an abundance of rich, flavoursome smoke over the course of the hour and a half or so it takes to enjoy. Not a cigar to be hurried and perhaps best enjoyed after a good meal.

Maltes

This rare size is known as a 'Sobresalientes' within the factories of Cuba, a word which translates as 'outstanding' in English, and it's easy to see why. Big and bold, but also subtle and nuanced with a lightness of touch that surprises many smokers the first time they light one up.

Dumas

The Dumas offers a full-bodied blend of signature Montecristo tobaccos and helps make the Linea 1935 a new way to enjoy the most popular premium cigar brand in the world.