Montecristo Espada Oscuro is one of the very special cigars by this iconic company.
With attention to detail, the Espada Oscuro is another collaboration with the Plasencia family. As with the original, this blend is pure Nicaraguan. The big difference here is this edition uses a Habano Rosado Oscuro wrapper instead of the original blend’s Nicaraguan Habano. What’s more important is the filler and binder tobacco is extremely rare. To say the least, this is a long burning medium to full bodied smoke with a very nice, flavorful progression from start to finish.
With this in mind, Cigar Coop rates it at 90 and Blind Man’s Puff gives it a very respectable 93! So if you’re a Montecristo fan and liked the first Espada, this Oscuro is a must try for sure!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Habano Rosado Oscuro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A.
Blender: Rafael Nodal, Pedro Ventura, Nestor Plasencia
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua is one of this long storied company’s best cigars ever.
Celebrate the rich and flavorful heritage of Montecristo cigars with this specially made Nicaraguan super star. With attention to detail, this special Anniversary edition is an expertly crafted interpretation of the brand’s original blend from 1935. Rich and complex, with a creamy texture and hints of spice, these cigars will transport you to a world of luxury and sophistication. It should be noted that Master Blenders Rafael Nodal, and AJ Fernandez as well as the Montecristo’s Grupo de Maestros created this world class cigar.
Receiving an astounding 95-point rating and garnering the #2 spot of 2021 by Cigar Aficionado is well-deserved to say the very least. Their description is perfect. “…a spicy, earthy backbone refined by notes of leather, coconut and malted milk.” These medium to full bodied jewels are any cigar smokers joy to behold.
Without doubt, this Montecristo is an absolute must try.
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: San Latano AJ Fernandez
Blenders: Grupo de Maestros, Rafael Nodal, AJ Fernandez
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Montecristo Epic Vintage 12 is one of the very special cigars by this iconic company.
With attention to detail, the fine tobaccos of this exclusive cigar represent the best of the best. Coming from a rare blend of reserved Dominican and Nicaraguan leaves collected during an exceptional harvest in 2012, this is a cigar experience worth capturing. Vintage 12 surely gives rise to a high density of flavors and extraordinary complexity.
Take the case of Blind Man’s Puff giving this beauty a very respectable 93 rating. They describe it perfectly. “This cigar is a great addition to the Epic line from Montecristo, maybe the best yet. The flavors are harmonious and leave me wanting more and more. I really enjoy the caramel sweetness combined with the on and off oak flavor. The burn and draw are perfect the whole time just adding to the great experience.”
Without a doubt, if you consider yourself a seasoned smoker and have never tried this masterfully crafted cigar, now’s your chance!
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic and Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera de Garcia
Blender: Grupo de Maestros
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Montecristo Pepe Mendez Pilotico is a collaboration between Altadis U.S.A’s Grupo de Maestros team and Dominican tobacco company José Mendez & Co.
With attention to detail, the Pepe Mendez Pilotico is the definition of expert craftsmanship. While it’s one of the higher priced Montecristos, it’s an extremely good one. To put it another way, this vintage blend is a flavor bomb! This medium bodied smoke yields heaps of natural tobacco taste and aromatic smoke. Cigar Coop rates it a respectable 92 and describes it perfectly. “While the Montecristo Pilotico Pepe Mendez Toro has excellent flavor, there is one thing that really surprises me – and that is the complexity and change-ups this cigar delivers. If you like a cigar that undergoes a lot of flavor transitions, then this is a cigar for you.”
If you’re a fan of boutique blends and Montecristo cigars, this one should be in your humidor.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican Pilotico, Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera de Garcia)
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Montecristo White is one of this long storied company’s most popular cigars.
When this White banded edition appeared in 2017, an entirely new group of smokers discovered this brand for the first time. Many of those folks that gravitated to mild to mellow tasting cigars now had a Montecristo to call their own. The addition of tamer Nicaraguan fillers with Dominican leaves and encasing it with an Ecuadorian grown Connecticut seed wrapper yields a smooth, lighter smoke with a tiny bit of crispy spice that’s enjoyable for everyone.
There was no doubt this cigar was a hit as the accolades poured in. When Blind Man’s Puff rated it at 94, they said it best. “Excellent smoke! One of the best mild-medium smoked I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying. The rich buttery and vanilla notes that were the backbone of this cigar were thoroughly enjoyable. Only smoke this cigar when you have the time to sit back, relax, and savor a truly high quality cigar. ”
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera de Garcia
Blender: Grupo de Maestro
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Montecristo Monte by AJ Fernandez is another fantastic collaboration between Master Blender A J Fernandez and this iconic brand. This is the fourth cigar blended and rolled by Fernández for Altadis U.S.A.
With attention to detail, this creation contains vintage Dominican piloto cubano and criollo 98 fillers along with a prime Nicaraguan corojo 98 binder. And encasing all this is a 17-year-old Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. How’s that for complexity and craftsmanship! Without doubt the blend yields a balanced, smooth medium-full bodied flavor. To say the least, this dark, box pressed cigar is perfectly made with an exceptional draw.
When renowned industry reviewer Katman rated it at 95, his description of this flavor bomb is spot on. ” This may just be the maltiest blend I’ve smoked. In addition, flavors of chocolate, caramel, creaminess, red pepper, dried fruit, roasted nuts, cedar, and toasted buttered French bread make this cigar a winner.”
If you consider yourself a fan of Montecristo and AJ Fernandez, this one must be in your humidor for sure!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan Corojo 98
Filler: Nicaraguan Criollo 98, Dominican Republic Piloto Cubano
Factory: Tabacalera Fernandez S.A.
Blender: AJ Fernandez
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Without doubt, Montecristo Espada is one of this iconic company’s best cigars ever!
The Spanish lesson for today is: Espada means sword. When the Espada appeared garnering a 92 rating and becoming one of the top 25 cigars of the year we all knew it was worth the price. What must be remembered is Espada is made in Nicaragua at Plasencia Cigars and is a collaboration between Plasencia and the Altadis blending team, Grupo de Maestros.
With attention to detail, the very rare wrapper from 2010 encases vintage Nicaraguan filler and binder tobacco from three prized growing regions. In fact, the filler and binder leaves are even older! The result is a medium bodied purebred with an interesting combination of sweetness and spice thats creamy and balanced. Cigar Aficionado describes this amazing smoke perfectly. “An exceptional smoke offering the spice of a gingersnap with touches of cinnamon that build to a sweet, spicy finish.”
It’s no surprise Espada has been pleasing cigar smokers for almost a decade and is still going strong.
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa) Vintage 2010
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa) Vintage 2009
Filler: Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa) Seco Vintage 2008, Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa) Viso Ometepe Vintage 2008, Nicaraguan Habano (Condega) Ligero Vintage 2008
Montecristo Espada Estoque #2 is one of the most beautifully made and complexly blended cigars Montecristo makes. Hands down!
With attention to detail, the super smooth medium bodied Estoque is an all-Nicaraguan cigar with more prized, aged tobaccos from the Placencia family. It’s also important to note this is a Limited Edition entry. The vintage leaves used here range up to over 20 years old. That is to say, this is a very special cigar!
On one hand, Cigar Dojo rates it a respectable 90 touting the deep, rich, complex flavors. Blind Man’s Puff scores it at 93 with accolades as well. “Tobacco, leather, cedar, spice, and mild pepper dance around my taste buds. It’s a delight- an amazing set of flavors.” Still not convinced? Cigar Aficionado gives it a solid 91 with an equally great description. “A dark and picture-perfect torpedo with a notably pointy tip. Light notes of wood and black tea become heavier with caramel, cocoa and a warm toasty finish.” To be sure, this is the Montecristo you have to try!
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Cuban Seed Viso Jalapa Vintage 2013
Binder: Nicaraguan Criollo Seco Jalapa Vintage 2002
Filler: Nicaraguan Corojo Seco Esteli, Vintage 2009 Nicaraguan Criollo Viso Ometepe Vintage 2013, and Nicaraguan Criollo Viso Condega Vintage 2013
Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A.
Blender: Grupo de Maestros
Montecristo By AJ Fernandez is a very special edition of this iconic brand.
With attention to detail, this box pressed cigar uses an Ecuadorian Sumatra Oscuro wrapper, a San Andres Mexican binder and Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers. How’s that for complexity! To say the least, the Montecristo crafted by Master Blender AJ Fernandez cigar is an ultra-premium gem that puts AJ’s modern spin on this classic Cuban heritage brand. Just so you know, this cigar is probably the boldest cigar to carry the Montecristo name.
To illustrate this, Cigar Coop rates it a very respectable 91. With flavors of coffee, cedar, pepper and heaps of natural tobacco taste, this is a cigar that delivers medium to full strength and full-bodied flavors from start to finish. Without doubt, if you’re a fan of rich, robust cigars, this Montecristo is a must try.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra Oscuro
Binder: San Andres Mexican
Filler: Nicaragua, Honduran
Country of Origin: Nicaragua (Tabacalera Fernandez)
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Montecristo Platinum is one of this iconic company’s most popular cigars for over 20 years.
For the record, the Platinum series is still pleasing discerning smokers since 2002. With attention to detail, this great cigar consists of quite the intriguing and complex blend of cigar tobaccos from four countries. When Cigar Aficionado gave the Churchill a 94 rating, it beat out most of it’s Cuban competitors. Their short and sweet description still applies today. “A hearty, meaty smoke with flavors of salty, roasted nuts and wood on the palate.”
Without doubt, this Montecristo is a long standing winner. To put it another way, aficionados will continue enjoying Platinum for years to come.
Like its counterparts, Platinum is perfectly made with a great draw. The bonus is this medium-full bodied beauty increases in intensity as you move it along to the glorious finish.
Binder: Mexican
Wrapper: Sumatra
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan and Peruvian
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Montecristo Pilotico is a very special edition from this long storied brand.
This 2017 creation has an interesting heritage. It turns out that around 50 years ago, Jose Pepe Mendez came upon a region in the Dominican Republic that proved to be perfect for growing tobacco leaves. It was here where he planted what is known as his Pilotico seeds. As time passed he also gained a reputation for establishing many growing techniques and grading guidelines that still exist today in the industry. The master blenders of Montecristo decided to pay homage to Mendez and his seeds by creating this three country blend that yields a sweet kind of medium bodied taste.
To put in another way, Blind Man’s Puff rated this one at 90. Cigar Coop gave it a 91. Without doubt, Pilotico is a must try for aficionados everywhere!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican Pilotico, Nicaraguan
Factory: Tabacalera de Garcia
Blender: Grupo de Maestros
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Montecristo Epic is an epic achievement for this amazing brand. No pun intended. Even the boxes bear the signatures of the blenders that create them.
You know the name. What sets this 91 rated Epic series apart is two things. The rollers are the Maestros of the factory and the Dominican and Nicaraguan filler leaves used go back as far as 13 years.
Delivering rich nuances of caramel, chocolate, leather, espresso and cedar throughout its slow burn, without doubt this Montecristo is another winner! In other words, this is a solid medium to full bodied complex smoke that’s perfectly made, draws consistently, and is worth the price.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder:Nicaraguan
Filler:Nicaraguan & Dominican Republic
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
