Montecristo Open Series Mixed Box of 25

Lighting Up the Montecristo Open Series Mixed Box: First Impressions from the Humidor

I’m halfway through this Open Eagle right now, ash hanging on for dear life while I tap out these thoughts, and honestly? This mixed box has me scratching my head a bit. Don’t get me wrong – it’s not bad. But after two decades of burning through Cubans, I’ve got some mixed feelings about what Montecristo’s done with their Open series.

The box arrived last month (thanks, CubanCigarOnline – always solid packaging), and I’ll admit I was curious. Twenty-five cigars split between the Eagle, Master, Junior, and Regata vitolas. Nice variety. But here’s the thing that struck me immediately: these don’t look like your grandfather’s Monte.

The wrapper’s got this almost golden sheen to it. Connecticut Shade, obviously, but it’s well-selected leaf. No major veins catching the light, construction looks solid across all the sizes. I’ve been storing them at 68% humidity (yeah, I know some of you swear by 65%, but I like my cigars with a little more give), and they’ve been behaving beautifully.

So What Exactly Is Monte Cristo Open Series?

Look, if you’re wondering “is monte cristo open” a departure from traditional Cuban flavor profiles – the answer’s a resounding yes. This isn’t your classic Cuban hay and leather bomb. Montecristo created this line specifically to bridge the gap between their traditional Cuban blends and something more approachable for newer smokers or folks who typically reach for milder cigars.

I’ve got buddies who swear by Cohiba Siglo series or the regular Monte No. 2, and they look at these Open series sticks like they’re some kind of betrayal. That’s nonsense, honestly. Evolution isn’t betrayal – it’s adaptation.

The blend uses that Connecticut Shade wrapper I mentioned, but underneath you’ve still got Cuban filler and binder. It’s like… imagine if someone took a classic Monte and decided to dress it up for a business meeting instead of a boxing match.

The Smoking Experience: Not Your Typical Cuban Journey

Started with the Junior this morning (smaller ring gauge, about 40 minutes of smoking time), and right off the bat – this is smooth. Almost creamy. Where a regular Monte might punch you with earth and spice from the first draw, the Open series whispers instead of shouts.

First third gives you cedar notes. Clean cedar, like you just opened a fresh humidor. There’s a subtle nuttiness underneath – not the bold almond you get from some Nicaraguans, but something more delicate. Vanilla? Maybe. Hard to pin down exactly.

The burn’s been consistent across all four vitolas I’ve tried so far. No touch-ups needed, which honestly surprised me given how mild the blend is. Sometimes these lighter cigars can be finicky about staying lit, but the Open series keeps chugging along.

Now here’s where it gets interesting (and where I might ruffle some feathers): around the halfway point, you start getting hints of what I can only describe as white pepper. Not the black pepper blast you’d expect from a full-bodied Cuban, but this gentle tingle on the retrohale. It’s subtle enough that if you’re not paying attention, you’ll miss it entirely.

The final third – and this is consistent across the Eagle, Master, and Regata too – develops this almost coffee-like finish. Not espresso. More like a really good breakfast blend with cream. Sweet, but not artificially so.

Vitola Breakdown: Which Size Hits Different

The Eagle (54 ring gauge) is probably my favorite of the bunch. Gives the blend room to breathe, develops more complexity over the 90-minute smoke time. If you’re gonna try one from this box, start here.

The Master feels rushed. Same flavors, but compressed into a shorter timeframe. It’s not bad, just… impatient? Like trying to have a meaningful conversation during a commercial break.

Junior and Regata are your quick smoke options. Perfect for those 20-30 minute windows when you want something Cuban but don’t have time for a full experience. I keep a few in my travel humidor now.

What I’m Pairing These With (And What Actually Works)

Forget everything you know about Cuban pairings for a minute. These Open series cigars play by different rules.

Coffee? Absolutely. But not your typical Cuban coffee pairing. I tried one with my usual morning Cuban espresso and it was… overwhelming. The coffee dominated completely. Instead, try it with something milder. I’ve been reaching for Lavazza Qualità Oro, and it’s been perfect. The nutty sweetness in the coffee complements that vanilla undertone in the cigar without competing.

Rum-wise (because we have to talk rum with Cubans), skip the heavy hitters. Don’t reach for your Zacapa 23 or even a decent Havana Club 7. I tried both and they steamrolled the cigar’s subtlety. Instead, I’ve been sipping Flor de Caña 4-year or even just a really good white rum on the rocks. Sounds weird, I know, but trust me on this.

Here’s where I’m gonna get controversial: these pair beautifully with wine. Yeah, you heard me right. A nice Pinot Grigio or even a light Chardonnay. I know, I know – wine with cigars is supposedly amateur hour. But the Open series is mild enough that a crisp white wine actually enhances the experience instead of clashing with it.

Whiskey? Tread carefully. Anything peated will kill the cigar entirely. I tried it with my beloved Ardbeg 10 (mistake) and couldn’t taste the Monte at all. But a smooth Irish whiskey like Redbreast 12? That actually worked surprisingly well.

Who Should Buy This Box (And Who Should Keep Walking)

If you’re new to Cuban cigars, this mixed box is actually a fantastic starting point. It’ll give you a taste of Cuban craftsmanship without the intensity that scares off newcomers. The variety means you can figure out which size works best for your schedule and preferences.

Experienced smokers looking for something different? Yeah, this works too. Sometimes you want complexity and full-bodied intensity. Other times you want something refined and approachable. The Open series scratches that second itch perfectly.

But if you’re one of those purists who thinks Cuban cigars should always taste like earth and leather and make your head spin… just keep walking. You’ll hate these, and then you’ll write angry forum posts about how Montecristo is “selling out.” Save yourself the disappointment.

Golf course smokers, this is your jam. The Open series won’t overwhelm when you’re concentrating on your game, burns evenly even with inconsistent puffing, and won’t leave you lightheaded on the back nine.

Storage Tips and Quirks I’ve Noticed

These seem to respond well to slightly higher humidity than traditional Cubans. I’ve got them sitting at 68-70% and they’re smoking beautifully. Tried one that had been sitting at 62% for comparison and it felt almost brittle.

The Connecticut wrapper is more delicate than you might expect. I’ve had two crack on me during handling – not construction issues, just me being ham-fisted while selecting one from the humidor. Handle with care.

Age potential? That’s the million-dollar question. I’ve only been sitting on these for about six months, but I suspect they’re pretty much ready to smoke upon arrival. This isn’t a blend that’s gonna transform dramatically with years in the humidor like a traditional Monte might.

The Bottom Line: Worth Your Money?

At the price point (and I’m writing this in late 2024, so who knows what prices will look like when you’re reading this), the mixed box offers solid value. You’re getting authentic Cuban construction with an approachable flavor profile and the chance to try four different sizes.

Is it the best Cuban you’ll ever smoke? Absolutely not. But it might be the most versatile. There’s something to be said for having cigars in your rotation that work for different occasions and moods.

The craftsmanship is there – these aren’t machine-made budget sticks trying to masquerade as premium cigars. The tobacco quality is evident, even if the flavor profile is intentionally dialed back.

FAQ: Questions I Keep Getting Asked

Are these “real” Cuban cigars? Yes, they’re made in Cuba with Cuban tobacco. The wrapper being Connecticut Shade doesn’t change that.

How do they compare to regular Montecristo No. 2? Completely different animals. The No. 2 is fuller, earthier, more traditionally “Cuban.” These are milder and more approachable.

Can beginners handle these? Absolutely. This is actually one of the better “introduction to Cuban cigars” options out there.

Do they get better with age? From my limited experience, they’re pretty much ready to smoke fresh. Might mellow even further with time, but I wouldn’t buy these as aging candidates.

What’s the best size for someone trying them for the first time? Start with the Eagle. It gives the blend the most room to develop and show what it can do.

Look, at the end of the day, the Montecristo Open Series isn’t trying to be the boldest or most complex Cuban on the market. It’s trying to be approachable, consistent, and enjoyable. And you know what? It succeeds on all three counts. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.