Montecristo Doble Edmundo

Why the Montecristo Doble Edmundo Became My Go-To Recommendation

Look, I’ll be straight with you – after two decades of burning through Cuban cigars, there’s one stick I keep coming back to when someone asks me for a foolproof recommendation. It’s not the flashiest choice, and it’s definitely not the most exotic, but the Montecristo Doble Edmundo has this weird ability to never let you down. Whether I’m smoking with my lawyer buddy who thinks anything under $30 isn’t worth his time, or introducing my neighbor to his first Cuban, this cigar just works.

I stumbled onto the Doble Edmundo back in 2018 (yeah, relatively late to the party, I know). Was in a shop in Montreal – can’t remember the name now, but it was one of those places where the owner clearly knew his stuff. Asked him what he’d smoke if he only had one cigar left. Without hesitation, he grabbed a Doble Edmundo. “Trust me,” he said. That’s it. No sales pitch, no fancy description.

Best $25 I ever spent.

First Impressions: What You’re Getting Into

The montecristo double edmundo comes in at 6⅛ inches with a 50 ring gauge – what they call a “double robusto” format. It’s got some heft to it without being obnoxious. The wrapper’s usually this gorgeous colorado shade, maybe leaning slightly darker depending on the crop year. I’ve noticed the 2019s tend to run a bit lighter than the 2021s, but that’s getting into the weeds.

Construction-wise, these things are typically rock solid. I mean, we’re talking about Montecristo here – they didn’t build their reputation by shipping out loose-rolled sticks. The draw’s usually perfect right out of the gate (though I always test it before lighting, old habit). Cap cuts clean, no wrapper issues. It’s the kind of reliability that makes you forget how hard good construction actually is.

Here’s something interesting though – and this might sound crazy – but I swear these cigars smoke differently depending on what time of year you light them up. Had one last December during that cold snap we had, and it seemed more intense than the same stick I’d smoked in July. Could be my imagination, but after 20+ years of this, you start noticing patterns.

The Flavor Journey (Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Enjoy the Smoke)

Forget that “first third, second third, final third” nonsense you read everywhere. Real cigars don’t read textbooks. The Doble Edmundo starts off with this gentle cedar note – nothing aggressive, nothing that’ll knock you back in your chair. It’s like a polite introduction.

About an inch in, you start getting these subtle leather hints. Not that harsh, tannic leather some cigars throw at you, but more like the smell of a well-worn baseball glove. Comfortable. Familiar.

The middle section is where this cigar really starts showing off. You’ve got this beautiful interplay between earth and wood, with occasional flashes of what I can only describe as roasted coffee beans. Not coffee per se, but that deep, rich smell when you walk into a good roastery. My wife always knows when I’m smoking a Doble Edmundo because I come in smelling like the forest floor after rain.

Now here’s where it gets interesting – and where I might lose some people. The final portion of this cigar can get a bit strong. Not overpowering, but definitely more assertive than the first half. I’ve had smoking buddies who tap out with about two inches left, claiming it’s too much. Honestly? I think they’re missing the best part. That final stretch has this complexity that builds on everything that came before. It’s like the crescendo of a symphony.

The retrohale (if you’re into that sort of thing) brings out some spice notes that aren’t really present in the mouth smoke. Nothing overwhelming – we’re not talking Pepin Garcia levels of pepper here – but enough to keep things interesting.

What I Pair It With (And What You Definitely Shouldn’t)

Okay, controversial opinion time: stop pairing every damn cigar with whiskey. Yeah, I said it.

Don’t get me wrong – I love a good bourbon as much as the next guy, but the Doble Edmundo deserves better than whatever bottle of Maker’s Mark you’ve got sitting around. If you’re going the whiskey route, try it with a good aged rum instead. I’m partial to Ron Zacapa 23 – that honeyed sweetness plays beautifully with the cedar notes in the first half of the cigar.

But honestly? My favorite pairing is a proper Cuban coffee. Strong, black, maybe with just a hint of sugar. I discovered this combo by accident during a business trip to Miami (yeah, I know, cliché, but hear me out). Was sitting outside this little café in Little Havana, had just lit up a Doble Edmundo, and the waitress brought me a cortadito I didn’t order. One sip while the cigar was going and it was like everything clicked into place.

Beer works too, but you’ve got to be careful. Nothing too hoppy – IPAs will murder the subtle flavors. I’ve had good luck with Belgian dubbels, something like Chimay Rouge. The slight sweetness and those dark fruit notes complement rather than compete.

And here’s something you might not expect: try it with a good dark chocolate. Not milk chocolate, not some fancy 90% cacao nonsense that tastes like dirt, but something in the 70% range. Lindt Excellence Dark is perfect and won’t break the bank.

What NOT to pair it with:

• Anything citrusy (learned this the hard way with a mojito)
• Heavy red wines (they just steamroll the cigar’s flavors)
• Any food that’s heavily spiced
• Your morning cup of Folgers (please, have some respect)

Who Should Smoke This (And Who Should Walk Away)

The montecristo double edmundo is what I call a “gateway Cuban.” It’s approachable enough for someone relatively new to premium cigars but complex enough that experienced smokers won’t get bored. If you’re just starting to explore Cuban cigars, this is probably where you should begin. It’ll give you a good baseline for what to expect from the island’s tobacco.

That said, if you’re someone who only smokes Nicaraguan powerhouses or you think anything under medium-full body is for amateurs, you might find this a bit tame. It’s not a weak cigar by any means, but it’s not going to knock your socks off either. Some guys need that punch-in-the-face intensity, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Just know what you’re getting into.

Time commitment is another thing to consider. You’re looking at roughly 90 minutes to two hours for the full experience, depending on how fast you smoke. (And please, for the love of all that’s holy, don’t rush it. This isn’t a cigarette.) I’ve seen too many people try to power through a premium cigar like they’re late for a meeting. Defeats the whole purpose.

Also – and this might sound elitist, but whatever – if you’re someone who needs to pair every cigar with your phone, constantly taking pictures for Instagram, maybe skip this one. The Doble Edmundo rewards attention. It’s got subtleties that you’ll miss if you’re not paying attention.

Storage, Quirks, and Other Things Nobody Tells You

Here’s something I learned the hard way: these cigars are surprisingly sensitive to humidity fluctuations. I keep mine at 65% RH, maybe 66% in the winter when the house gets dry. Any higher and they get spongy, any lower and they burn too fast. Found this out when I moved apartments and left them in a travel humidor for three weeks. Completely changed the smoking experience.

Another quirk – and I’ve noticed this with multiple boxes over the years – the first cigar from a fresh box is rarely the best. It’s like they need to settle in or something. I usually wait at least a week after getting a new box before touching the first stick. Could be superstition, but it’s worked for me.

If you’re buying these online (which, let’s face it, most of us are), pay attention to the box date. Anything under two years old is probably going to benefit from some aging. I’ve got some 2018s that are smoking beautifully now, way better than they did fresh. The cedar mellows out, the leather notes become more pronounced. It’s like watching a good wine develop.

One more thing – and this is probably just me being weird – but I always smoke these outside. I’ve tried them in my home office, in cigar lounges, even in my buddy’s “cigar room” with the fancy ventilation system. They just taste better with some fresh air moving around. Maybe it’s psychological, but the flavors seem cleaner, more defined.

The Bottom Line

Look, I’m not going to tell you the Montecristo Doble Edmundo is the greatest cigar ever made. It’s not. There are more complex cigars, stronger cigars, prettier cigars. But what it is, consistently, is a damn good smoke that delivers on its promises.

In a world where half the Cuban cigars you buy are overpriced disappointments (looking at you, Cohiba Behike), the Doble Edmundo represents something increasingly rare: reliability. It’s the cigar equivalent of a well-made tool – not flashy, but it gets the job done every single time.

After six years of regular smoking, I’ve probably gone through at least 200 of these. Maybe more. And I can count on one hand the number of duds I’ve encountered. That’s a hell of a batting average in the Cuban cigar world.

Quick FAQs

Q: How does this compare to the regular Edmundo?

A: The Doble is longer and a bit thicker. More tobacco means longer smoking time and generally more complex flavors. If you like the regular Edmundo but want more of a time commitment, the Doble is your answer.

Q: Are these worth the premium over Dominican alternatives?

A: Depends what you’re after. If you want that distinctive Cuban tobacco character – that earthy, mineral quality – then yeah, absolutely. If you’re just looking for a good smoke and don’t care about origin, you can probably find something 40% cheaper that’ll satisfy you.

Q: Should I age these or smoke them fresh?

A: Both have their merits. Fresh, you get more of the cedar and brighter notes. Aged (3+ years), the flavors integrate more and you get additional complexity. I keep some of each on hand.

Q: What’s the difference between box-pressed and round?

A: The montecristo double edmundo typically comes round, but occasionally you’ll see box-pressed versions. The box-pressed ones tend to burn a bit more evenly and some people think they concentrate the flavors. Honestly, both are great – it’s mostly personal preference.

Bottom line: if you’ve never tried one, you should. If you have and didn’t love it, maybe give it another shot with a different pairing or in a different setting. Sometimes the stars just need to align properly. And if you’re already a fan, well, you probably stopped reading this review three paragraphs ago to go light one up.

Can’t say I blame you.