Montecristo Dantes LE 2016

Montecristo Dantes LE 2016

The Montecristo Dantes arrived as part of the 2016 Edición Limitada program, and its name alone was enough to quicken the pulse of aficionados worldwide. Named after Edmond Dantès—the protagonist of Alexandre Dumas' *The Count of Monte Cristo*, the very novel that gave the Montecristo brand its name—this cigar carries a literary weight that few releases can match. It is a cigar that understands its own mythology and delivers accordingly.

The Story Behind the Smoke

The connection between Montecristo and literature runs deeper than mere branding. In the 1930s, the *lectores* at the H. Upmann factory would read aloud to the torcedores as they worked, and Dumas' sprawling tale of betrayal, imprisonment, and revenge was among the most requested. When Alonso Menéndez registered his new cigar brand in 1935, he chose to honor that tradition. The Dantes Limited Edition 2016 completes the circle by naming the cigar directly after the novel's hero—a man who endured years of patience before emerging transformed.

The Edición Limitada treatment requires all tobaccos to be aged a minimum of two additional years. For the Dantes, this extended aging period refined the already smooth Montecristo blend into something exceptionally polished. The Edmundo vitola—a Robusto Extra format at 135mm by 46 ring gauge—provides a compact but substantial smoking experience of approximately sixty to seventy-five minutes. It is a format that Montecristo has used to great effect in its regular portfolio, and the LE treatment elevates it to another level entirely.

Presented in an elegant box of 10, the Dantes features both the standard Montecristo band and a secondary Limited Edition band that marks its special status. The wrapper is noticeably darker than standard production, a visual testament to the extended aging process. The cigar was received with critical acclaim upon release, with reviewers praising its balance of approachability and depth—qualities that have only improved with additional time in the humidor.

The Tasting Experience

First Light: The Dantes opens with the classic Montecristo signature—toasted almond and cedar—but rendered with a smoothness that immediately signals the Limited Edition treatment. There is a honeyed sweetness from the first draw that coats the palate like warm caramel, followed by a gentle white pepper on the retrohale. The smoke production is generous for the format, filling the mouth with a creamy, aromatic vapor that carries hints of vanilla and fresh bread. The construction is impeccable: a perfect draw with just enough resistance to slow the experience to a contemplative pace.

The Journey: The second third unveils the depth that two additional years of aging have contributed. Coffee emerges—not the aggressive espresso of a full-bodied cigar, but the rounded, milk-softened coffee of a well-made flat white. Cocoa powder joins the conversation, dusting the palate with bittersweet complexity. There is a nuttiness here that evolves from almond to cashew, and a woody backbone that has shifted from cedar to something darker and more aromatic—perhaps sandalwood or aged oak. The sweetness persists, now carrying notes of dried apricot and golden raisin that add a fruit dimension uncommon in the Montecristo portfolio. The burn remains even and unhurried throughout.

The Finale: The closing act brings a gentle intensification that honors the cigar's medium-strength classification. The coffee darkens, the cedar returns with a toasted character, and a leather note emerges—supple and refined, consistent with the Montecristo house style. A mineral quality adds structure to the finish, and the retrohale carries a complex blend of spice, wood, and a lingering sweetness that echoes the opening honey. The Dantes finishes as its namesake began: with patience rewarded in full, a satisfying conclusion to a cigar that values narrative over noise.

Who It's For

The Montecristo Dantes LE 2016 is for the Montecristo devotee who collects Limited Editions and understands their aging potential, and for the broader aficionado who appreciates medium-bodied cigars with exceptional refinement. Its manageable format makes it suitable for a weekday evening smoke, while its complexity rewards the kind of focused attention typically reserved for weekend indulgences. This is a cigar for readers, for thinkers, for those who appreciate that the best stories—and the best cigars—take their time.

Pairing Suggestion

A VSOP cognac with vanilla and dried fruit character—Rémy Martin VSOP or Courvoisier VSOP—complements the Dantes' honeyed sweetness, while a medium-roast pour-over coffee draws out the cigar's nutty, cocoa-dusted heart.