What does Montecristo No.2 taste like and how does the flavor profile change throughout the smoke?

The Montecristo No.2 delivers a medium-to-full bodied experience with a distinctive progression. The first third opens with signature Montecristo cocoa and cedar notes, accompanied by subtle coffee bean. The pyramid shape concentrates flavors toward the middle, where leather and toasted almond emerge. The final third intensifies with black pepper and earthy sweetness. The 156mm length with 52 ring gauge (tapering to 42) creates a 90-120 minute smoking window that allows these transitions to develop gradually.

How long does a Montecristo No.2 last and what is the ideal smoking time?

A properly paced Montecristo No.2 typically lasts 90 to 120 minutes, depending on draw frequency and environmental conditions. The 156mm × 52 pyramid vitola, known as Pirámides in Cuban factories, burns slower than parejo shapes due to its tapered construction. Aficionados recommend allocating a full two hours uninterrupted, as rushing this cigar wastes its complexity. The ring gauge progression—from 52 at the foot narrowing to 42 at the cap—naturally regulates the burn rate throughout the experience.

Is Montecristo No.2 worth the price compared to other Cuban pyramids?

The Montecristo No.2 commands premium pricing due to its pre-1960 heritage and consistent quality control at the H. Upmann factory. While the Partagás Serie P No.2 and Hoyo de Monterrey Pirámides offer similar vitolas at lower cost, the No.2 maintains superior aging potential and global recognition. Its 52-ring base provides more tobacco volume than the 50-ring alternatives, justifying the price differential for collectors. For daily smoking, the Edmundo or Petit No.2 provide related profiles more economically.

What does Montecristo No.2 taste like and how does the flavor profile change throughout the smoke?

The Montecristo No.2 delivers a medium-to-full bodied experience with a distinctive progression. The first third opens with signature Montecristo cocoa and cedar notes, accompanied by subtle coffee bean. The pyramid shape concentrates flavors toward the middle, where leather and toasted almond emerge. The final third intensifies with black pepper and earthy sweetness. The 156mm length with 52 ring gauge (tapering to 42) creates a 90-120 minute smoking window that allows these transitions to develop gradually.

How long does a Montecristo No.2 last and what is the ideal smoking time?

A properly paced Montecristo No.2 typically lasts 90 to 120 minutes, depending on draw frequency and environmental conditions. The 156mm × 52 pyramid vitola, known as Pirámides in Cuban factories, burns slower than parejo shapes due to its tapered construction. Aficionados recommend allocating a full two hours uninterrupted, as rushing this cigar wastes its complexity. The ring gauge progression—from 52 at the foot narrowing to 42 at the cap—naturally regulates the burn rate throughout the experience.

Is Montecristo No.2 worth the price compared to other Cuban pyramids?

The Montecristo No.2 commands premium pricing due to its pre-1960 heritage and consistent quality control at the H. Upmann factory. While the Partagás Serie P No.2 and Hoyo de Monterrey Pirámides offer similar vitolas at lower cost, the No.2 maintains superior aging potential and global recognition. Its 52-ring base provides more tobacco volume than the 50-ring alternatives, justifying the price differential for collectors. For daily smoking, the Edmundo or Petit No.2 provide related profiles more economically.

Cigar Information

Montecristo Montecristo No.2

Montecristo No.2

The Montecristo No.2 stands as one of the most celebrated cigars in the entire Cuban portfolio. This iconic pyramid-shaped vitola has earned legendary status among aficionados worldwide, representing the pinnacle of what a figurado can achieve. As a pre-1960 release, the No.2 has delighted smokers for generations and remains in current regular production to this day.

Vitola Specifications

Cigar Name	Montecristo No.2
Factory Name	Piramides
Ring Gauge	52
Length	156 mm (6⅛″)
Official Weight	14.26 g
Construction	Handmade
Bands	Standard bands A, B, C, D

Packaging Options

Montecristo offers the No.2 in several distinct presentation formats to suit different preferences:

Display box containing 15 cigars, arranged in 5 cardboard packs of 3 cigars each (introduced in 2003)
Dress box of 10 cigars
Dress box of 25 cigars
Aluminium pack of 10 cigars

Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes

Based on 219 enthusiast reviews, the Montecristo No.2 delivers a rich and satisfying smoking experience. The cigar earns particular praise for its balance and aftertaste, both scoring a 4 out of 5, while maintaining medium strength at a 3 rating. Elegance and complexity also register at 3, contributing to an impressive overall rating of 3.94 out of 5.

The flavor spectrum reveals a beautifully layered profile with the following characteristics noted by reviewers:

Primary Notes: Cocoa (64 mentions), Coffee (57 mentions), Nut (44 mentions), Cream (37 mentions), Citrus (34 mentions)
Secondary Notes: Leather (30 mentions), Twang (24 mentions), Chocolate (19 mentions), Tobacco (10 mentions), Milk Chocolate (8 mentions)
Accent Notes: Spice (7 mentions), Cinnamon (6 mentions), Mocha (6 mentions), Monte character (6 mentions), Bitter Chocolate (5 mentions), Cedar (5 mentions)
Subtle Nuances: Baking Spice, Earth, Floral, Hay, Toast, Wood (4 mentions each), Grass, Nutmeg, Salt, Sweetness, Vanilla (3 mentions each), Almond, Biscuit, Caramel (2 mentions each), and single mentions of Clove, Cointreau, Funk, Honey, Latte, Molasses, Peanut, Raisin, Raspberry, and Tea

Related Special Releases

The enduring popularity of the No.2 has inspired several limited and special edition releases over the years:

Montecristo No.2 Siglo XXI Millennium Humidor
Montecristo No.2 510 Aniversario Humidor
Montecristo No.2 Selección Pirámides
Montecristo No.2 Selección Box
Montecristo No.2 Gran Reserva Cosecha 2005

With its perfect pyramid shape and time-honored blend, the Montecristo No.2 continues to represent the benchmark for Cuban figurados. Its combination of accessible pricing, consistent construction, and complex yet approachable flavor profile makes it essential smoking for anyone exploring Cuban cigars.

Questions & Answers

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