Montecristo No. 2 Review: The World's Most Iconic Cuban Cigar
Overview
There are few cigars in the world that carry the weight of legend quite like the Montecristo No. 2. A torpedo-shaped Piramide from one of Cuba's most celebrated brands, the No. 2 has been the benchmark by which countless aficionados measure all other cigars. Produced at the Fábrica de Tabacos H. Upmann in Havana, it is a cigar that has graced the humidors of heads of state, celebrities, and discerning smokers worldwide for decades. We approached it with the reverence it deserves — and with fresh, critical eyes — to give you our most honest assessment.
Vital Statistics
- Brand: Montecristo
- Line: No. 2
- Vitola: Piramide (Torpedo)
- Size: 6┹ × 52
- Wrapper: Cuban (Vuelta Abajo)
- Binder: Cuban
- Filler: Cuban (Vuelta Abajo)
- Strength: Medium to Full
- Origin: Cuba (Habanos S.A.)
- Estimated Smoke Time: 75–90 minutes
Construction & Appearance — 9.5/10
The Montecristo No. 2 is a beautiful object. The wrapper is a rich, even Colorado — silky smooth, lightly oily, and virtually seamless from the tapered torpedo head to the perfectly cut foot. The pointed cap is applied with extraordinary precision, and the cigar is firm and consistent throughout with not a single soft spot to be found. Pre-light, the cold draw through the torpedo tip is slightly firm but delivers an exquisite preview: sweet cedar, dark honey, and a whisper of cocoa. This is a cigar that inspires complete confidence before the first flame is applied.
First Third — 9.0/10
The torpedo format means the Montecristo No. 2 opens gradually, the tapered head concentrating the flavours beautifully as the cigar finds its rhythm. The first third is a masterclass in Cuban elegance: creamy cedar, toasted almonds, white pepper, and a distinctive dark honey sweetness that is the Montecristo signature. There's a subtle cocoa note underpinning everything — rich and warming without being overt. Strength is medium from the outset, building with quiet authority. The burn is near-perfect, and the ash holds in a firm, pale column well past an inch. Smoke production is generous, cool, and aromatic.
Second Third — 9.5/10
The second third is where the Montecristo No. 2 earns its legendary status. As the cigar reaches its widest ring gauge, the flavour profile opens up into something genuinely extraordinary. Dark espresso, roasted cedar, dried fig, leather, and a complex floral note — jasmine and dried rose — layer over the persistent creaminess and honey sweetness in a way that is almost orchestral in its complexity. The draw is effortless at the cigar's widest point, and the smoke is thick, cool, and deeply satisfying. Strength climbs to medium-full but remains supremely balanced. This is Cuban cigar smoking at its absolute pinnacle.
Final Third — 9.0/10
The final third is a triumphant conclusion. The espresso and leather notes intensify with grace, joined by a returning cedar spice and a deep, warming earthiness. The honey sweetness from the first third lingers as a backdrop, tying the entire experience together. Strength reaches full but never becomes uncomfortable — a testament to the quality and balance of the blend. The burn remains impeccable to the very end, and the draw stays clean right to the nub. The finish is extraordinarily long — dark chocolate, cedar, and roasted coffee lingering on the palate for minutes after the cigar is set down. Exceptional.
Scores at a Glance
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| 🏗️ Construction & Appearance | 9.5 / 10 |
| 🔥 First Third | 9.0 / 10 |
| 🎯 Second Third | 9.5 / 10 |
| 🏁 Final Third | 9.0 / 10 |
| 💨 Draw & Burn | 9.5 / 10 |
| 🌿 Complexity & Flavour | 9.5 / 10 |
| 💰 Value for Money | 8.5 / 10 |
| ⭐ Overall Score | 9.4 / 10 |
Pairing Suggestions
A cigar of this stature demands pairings that match its complexity and prestige. A well-aged Kentucky Bourbon — Blanton's Single Barrel, Eagle Rare 17, or a vintage Pappy Van Winkle if the occasion calls for it — is the classic pairing, its deep oak, vanilla, and dried fruit notes harmonising beautifully with the cigar's honey, cedar, and espresso character. For Scotch lovers, a heavily sherried single malt of real age and distinction — Glenfarclas 21, GlenDronach 18, or Macallan 18 Sherry Oak — is a near-perfect match, the dried fruit and spice of the whisky mirroring the cigar's complexity note for note. A vintage port or aged Cognac elevates the experience further still for those seeking the ultimate pairing.
Final Verdict
The Montecristo No. 2 is, quite simply, one of the greatest cigars ever made. It is not without its price — this is a premium Cuban that commands a premium investment — but what it delivers in return is an experience that is difficult to match anywhere in the cigar world. The torpedo format, the Vuelta Abajo leaf, and the Montecristo blending philosophy combine to produce a cigar of extraordinary complexity, balance, and longevity. Whether you are smoking it for the first time or the fiftieth, the No. 2 has a way of revealing something new with every visit. An essential smoke. A genuine masterpiece.
Reviewed by the team at Bourbon & Cigars Blackpool.