About the San Cristobal El Morro
The San Cristobal El Morro carries the name of the historic fortress that has guarded the mouth of Havana harbour for centuries, and it sits at the top of the San Cristobal de la Habana range as its grandest format. San Cristobal de la Habana takes its name from the original 16th century name of Havana itself, and the brand was conceived as a tribute to the city and the fortifications that once defended it. Rolled in Cuba from Vuelta Abajo leaf, the El Morro is a full-bodied double corona built for unhurried sessions where the wrapper has room to develop its character slowly.
Flavor profile by thirds
The opening third is grounded in earthy, woody tobacco with a gentle natural sweetness and a thread of cedar that frames each draw. As the cigar settles into its middle third, roasted coffee and dark cocoa come forward, joined by a measured spice that keeps the smoke lively without turning sharp. The final third deepens toward leather and a richer, more concentrated tobacco core, finishing long and warm as the strength climbs toward its fuller side.
Pairings
- Aged Cuban rum, whose caramel and oak echo the cigar’s cocoa and cedar.
- A robust dark-roast espresso to amplify the roasted coffee notes in the middle third.
- A peaty single malt Scotch for those who want the leather and spice of the final third pushed forward.
Aging and storage
This is a cigar that rewards patience. Kept at a steady 65 to 70 percent relative humidity and around 18 degrees Celsius, the El Morro mellows over a few years, with its earthier edges softening and the sweeter coffee and cocoa tones gaining clarity. The generous ring gauge and long format mean each stick holds a large volume of leaf, so even modest cellaring time can make a noticeable difference to balance and smoothness.
Who it is for
The El Morro suits the experienced smoker who has an hour or more to give and prefers a cigar with real depth rather than a quick light. Its medium to full body makes it better as an after-dinner companion than a morning smoke, and its size appeals to those who enjoy watching a blend evolve across a long burn. Newcomers may find it demanding, but for collectors of classic Cuban double coronas it is a satisfying choice.
Frequently asked questions
What size is the San Cristobal El Morro?
It is a double corona measuring 7.6 inches by a 49 ring gauge, the largest vitola in the San Cristobal de la Habana line.
How strong is the El Morro?
It sits in the medium to full range, building in body as it burns, which is why it is best enjoyed after a meal rather than early in the day.
What does the El Morro taste like?
Expect earthy tobacco and cedar up front, moving into roasted coffee, dark cocoa and spice, and finishing on leather and a deeper tobacco core.
Explore more
Browse all San Cristobal de la Habana cigars, see our San Cristobal de la Habana price guide, or try the San Cristobal de la Habana 20 Aniversario and San Cristobal La Muralla Casa Del Habano. Store yours in a seasoned humidor and see our guide on how long cigars last. Learn more from the official Habanos S.A. site.
Steven Rivera –
Absolutely love this San Cristobal El Morro! San Cristobal continues to impress with their quality. Wonderful complexity with cedar and spice, smooth creamy smoke, and perfect construction. One of my all-time favorites!
Kathleen Cooper –
Excellent cigar from San Cristobal. The San Cristobal El Morro has a refined flavor profile – lots of honey and tobacco. Draw was perfect and it burned for about 70 minutes. Only minor complaint is it’s slightly strong for my taste, but overall a great smoke.
Joe Fisher –
A true masterpiece from San Cristobal. This San Cristobal El Morro is everything you want in a premium Cuban cigar. Exquisite flavors of leather and wood, flawless construction, razor-sharp burn. Been smoking these for years and they never disappoint!
Laura Bell –
The San Cristobal San Cristobal El Morro is a quality cigar. Nice balance of flavor and strength. I enjoyed the leather and wood notes throughout. Construction was very good with only one minor touch-up needed. Good cigar for experienced smokers.
Thomas Perry –
Great cigar! San Cristobal San Cristobal El Morro offers excellent quality and flavor. Notes of honey and tobacco throughout, good burn, nice draw. Not quite perfect but very close. Will definitely order again!
Margaret Butler –
The San Cristobal El Morro is a respectable cigar. Nice notes of nuts and earth, decent construction. However, I found it a bit one-dimensional compared to other San Cristobal offerings. Not bad, but there are better options in this price range.
Albert Ross –
Absolutely love this San Cristobal El Morro! San Cristobal continues to impress with their quality. Wonderful complexity with cocoa and pepper, smooth creamy smoke, and perfect construction. One of my all-time favorites!
Emily Nelson –
Decent cigar but not my favorite from San Cristobal. The San Cristobal El Morro has good flavor – cedar and spice – but didn’t wow me like other Cubans I’ve had. Construction was fine, burn was mostly even. It’s good, just not exceptional. Worth trying though.
Ann Crawford –
Five stars all the way! The San Cristobal San Cristobal El Morro is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of leather and wood. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Lawrence Rose –
Very good cigar. The San Cristobal San Cristobal El Morro lives up to its reputation. Beautiful wrapper, good construction, and nice flavor development. Tasted nuts and earth with a smooth finish. Not the absolute best I’ve had, but definitely solid. Would buy again.
Ralph Morrison –
Five stars all the way! The San Cristobal San Cristobal El Morro is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of honey and tobacco. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Nicholas Allen –
Five stars all the way! The San Cristobal San Cristobal El Morro is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of cocoa and pepper. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Victor Harper –
Five stars all the way! The San Cristobal San Cristobal El Morro is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of cedar and spice. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Charles Foster –
Very good cigar. The San Cristobal San Cristobal El Morro lives up to its reputation. Beautiful wrapper, good construction, and nice flavor development. Tasted honey and tobacco with a smooth finish. Not the absolute best I’ve had, but definitely solid. Would buy again.
Willie Ford –
Absolutely outstanding cigar! The San Cristobal San Cristobal El Morro delivers exceptional quality from start to finish. Rich, complex flavors with notes of leather and wood. Perfect construction and draw. This is what premium Cuban cigars are all about. Highly recommended!
Karen Lee –
Top-tier quality from San Cristobal. The San Cristobal El Morro showcases everything I love about Cuban cigars – impeccable craftsmanship, smooth draw, and layers of flavor. Picked up notes of coffee and cream. Burned evenly throughout. A must-try for any serious aficionado!
Kimberly Roberts –
Solid cigar from San Cristobal. The San Cristobal El Morro has nice flavors of cocoa and pepper and good construction. Enjoyed about 62 minutes of smooth smoking. Would recommend, especially for those new to San Cristobal.
Donald Long –
This is hands down one of the best cigars I’ve smoked this year. The San Cristobal San Cristobal El Morro exceeded all expectations. Rich, creamy smoke with complex notes of coffee and cream. Construction is perfect, ash holds firm. Worth every penny!
Dorothy Hughes –
Exceptional cigar from San Cristobal. The San Cristobal El Morro delivers on every level – flavor, construction, consistency. Beautiful notes of nuts and earth throughout the 75 minute smoke. This is why Cuban cigars are legendary!
Robert Martinez –
Incredible cigar! The San Cristobal El Morro from San Cristobal is absolutely exceptional. Smooth, complex, and beautifully balanced. Got wonderful notes of honey and tobacco throughout the smoke. Lasted about 59 minutes. Already ordering another box!