About the Montecristo No.1
Few cigars carry the weight of reputation that the Montecristo No.1 does. Montecristo has been a cornerstone of Cuban tobacco since 1935, and the No.1 sits proudly among the brand’s most recognized vitolas. Rolled in the Cervantes format, this is the classic Lonsdale that many enthusiasts point to when they describe what a balanced, well aged Habano should taste like. Its slender, elegant silhouette and seamless construction reflect the level of craft that built the Montecristo name across nearly a century of production.
Flavor profile by thirds
The opening third leans into toasted tobacco and warm cedar, with a creaminess that softens the bolder early notes. As the cigar settles into its middle stretch, coffee and cocoa step forward alongside a gentle nuttiness, and the smoke takes on a rounder, more polished character. The final third brings the sweeter elements into focus, with hints of vanilla and bright citrus weaving through the toasty core, never tipping into bitterness or heat. It is a progression that rewards an unhurried pace.
Pairings
- An aged Cuban rum, which echoes the cigar’s vanilla and cocoa tones.
- A cup of espresso or dark roast coffee to amplify the toasty, roasted character.
- A lightly peated single malt whisky for those who enjoy a touch of contrast.
Aging and storage
The No.1 already smokes beautifully fresh, yet a few years of patience can deepen its creaminess and round off any youthful edges. Keep your cigars in a seasoned humidor held around 65 to 70 percent relative humidity and a steady temperature near 18 degrees Celsius. Stored well, a box of these Lonsdales will mature gracefully, with the wood and cocoa notes gaining richness over time.
Who it is for
This is a cigar for the smoker who values finesse over force. If you appreciate a medium bodied Habano with genuine complexity, a clean draw, and a long, contemplative burn, the No.1 belongs in your rotation. It suits both the seasoned aficionado revisiting a classic and the newer enthusiast ready to understand why Montecristo is held in such high regard.
Frequently asked questions
What size is the Montecristo No.1?
It is a Lonsdale in the Cervantes vitola, measuring 6.5 inches (165 mm) with a 42 ring gauge.
How strong is the Montecristo No.1?
It is a medium bodied cigar, complex and refined rather than overpowering, which makes it approachable across a wide range of palates.
How long does it take to smoke?
Expect roughly an hour of relaxed smoking, with each third offering its own distinct progression of flavor.
Explore more
Browse all Montecristo cigars, see our Montecristo price guide, or try the Montecristo No.2 and Montecristo Double Corona Limited Edition 2001. Store yours in a seasoned humidor and see our guide on how long cigars last. Learn more from Wikipedia, the official Habanos S.A. site.
Kathleen Cooper –
Absolutely love this Montecristo No.1! Montecristo continues to impress with their quality. Wonderful complexity with cocoa and cream, smooth creamy smoke, and perfect construction. One of my all-time favorites!
Matthew Jackson –
Absolutely outstanding cigar! The Montecristo Montecristo No.1 delivers exceptional quality from start to finish. Rich, complex flavors with notes of earth and nuts. Perfect construction and draw. This is what premium Cuban cigars are all about. Highly recommended!
Raymond Morgan –
Exceptional cigar from Montecristo. The Montecristo No.1 delivers on every level – flavor, construction, consistency. Beautiful notes of earth and nuts throughout the 80 minute smoke. This is why Cuban cigars are legendary!
Eric Turner –
Five stars all the way! The Montecristo Montecristo No.1 is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of cocoa and cream. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Lawrence Rose –
Best cigar I’ve had in a long time! Montecristo really knocked it out of the park with the Montecristo No.1. Rich flavor profile featuring almonds and honey, perfect draw, and excellent burn. Can’t recommend this enough!
Larry Barnes –
Phenomenal smoke! Been enjoying Cuban cigars for years and this Montecristo No.1 is easily one of my favorites. Beautiful wrapper, flawless construction, and about 85 minutes of pure enjoyment. The flavor profile is incredible – almonds and honey. Will definitely order more!
Ann Crawford –
Exceptional cigar from Montecristo. The Montecristo No.1 delivers on every level – flavor, construction, consistency. Beautiful notes of almonds and honey throughout the 81 minute smoke. This is why Cuban cigars are legendary!
Theresa Lawson –
A true masterpiece from Montecristo. This Montecristo No.1 is everything you want in a premium Cuban cigar. Exquisite flavors of spice and toast, flawless construction, razor-sharp burn. Been smoking these for years and they never disappoint!
Scott Henderson –
A true masterpiece from Montecristo. This Montecristo No.1 is everything you want in a premium Cuban cigar. Exquisite flavors of almonds and honey, flawless construction, razor-sharp burn. Been smoking these for years and they never disappoint!
Anthony Harris –
Absolutely love this Montecristo No.1! Montecristo continues to impress with their quality. Wonderful complexity with almonds and honey, smooth creamy smoke, and perfect construction. One of my all-time favorites!
Carol King –
A true masterpiece from Montecristo. This Montecristo No.1 is everything you want in a premium Cuban cigar. Exquisite flavors of spice and toast, flawless construction, razor-sharp burn. Been smoking these for years and they never disappoint!
Philip Mason –
Very pleased with this Montecristo No.1. Montecristo quality shines through with cocoa and cream flavors and solid construction. A touch expensive but worth it for special occasions. Good smoke!
Joshua Clark –
Incredible cigar! The Montecristo No.1 from Montecristo is absolutely exceptional. Smooth, complex, and beautifully balanced. Got wonderful notes of earth and nuts throughout the smoke. Lasted about 55 minutes. Already ordering another box!
Roger Webb –
Great cigar! Montecristo Montecristo No.1 offers excellent quality and flavor. Notes of cocoa and cream throughout, good burn, nice draw. Not quite perfect but very close. Will definitely order again!
Angela Griffin –
The Montecristo No.1 is a respectable cigar. Nice notes of almonds and honey, decent construction. However, I found it a bit one-dimensional compared to other Montecristo offerings. Not bad, but there are better options in this price range.
Doris Spencer –
Exceptional cigar from Montecristo. The Montecristo No.1 delivers on every level – flavor, construction, consistency. Beautiful notes of earth and nuts throughout the 49 minute smoke. This is why Cuban cigars are legendary!
Barbara Thomas –
The Montecristo No.1 is a respectable cigar. Nice notes of cocoa and cream, decent construction. However, I found it a bit one-dimensional compared to other Montecristo offerings. Not bad, but there are better options in this price range.
George Collins –
A true masterpiece from Montecristo. This Montecristo No.1 is everything you want in a premium Cuban cigar. Exquisite flavors of wood and leather, flawless construction, razor-sharp burn. Been smoking these for years and they never disappoint!
Mildred Pierce –
Five stars all the way! The Montecristo Montecristo No.1 is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of spice and toast. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Anna Sanders –
Phenomenal smoke! Been enjoying Cuban cigars for years and this Montecristo No.1 is easily one of my favorites. Beautiful wrapper, flawless construction, and about 56 minutes of pure enjoyment. The flavor profile is incredible – spice and toast. Will definitely order more!
Maria Patterson –
A true masterpiece from Montecristo. This Montecristo No.1 is everything you want in a premium Cuban cigar. Exquisite flavors of almonds and honey, flawless construction, razor-sharp burn. Been smoking these for years and they never disappoint!
Samuel Morris –
Exceptional cigar from Montecristo. The Montecristo No.1 delivers on every level – flavor, construction, consistency. Beautiful notes of almonds and honey throughout the 70 minute smoke. This is why Cuban cigars are legendary!
David Williams –
Really enjoyed this Montecristo No.1. Montecristo consistently delivers quality and this is no exception. Good complexity with notes of earth and nuts. Construction was solid and burn was even. A bit pricey but you get what you pay for with Cuban cigars. Recommended!
Annie Griffin –
Best cigar I’ve had in a long time! Montecristo really knocked it out of the park with the Montecristo No.1. Rich flavor profile featuring earth and nuts, perfect draw, and excellent burn. Can’t recommend this enough!
Diane Ross –
Absolutely love this Montecristo No.1! Montecristo continues to impress with their quality. Wonderful complexity with earth and nuts, smooth creamy smoke, and perfect construction. One of my all-time favorites!
Richard Howard –
Good cigar but expected a bit more for the price. The Montecristo Montecristo No.1 delivered on flavor (wood and leather) and construction, but lacked the complexity I was hoping for. Solid smoke, just not outstanding. Still enjoyable.
Nancy Martin –
Excellent cigar from Montecristo. The Montecristo No.1 has a refined flavor profile – lots of wood and leather. Draw was perfect and it burned for about 55 minutes. Only minor complaint is it’s slightly strong for my taste, but overall a great smoke.
Walter Sanders –
A true masterpiece from Montecristo. This Montecristo No.1 is everything you want in a premium Cuban cigar. Exquisite flavors of wood and leather, flawless construction, razor-sharp burn. Been smoking these for years and they never disappoint!
Keith Dixon –
The Montecristo No.1 is a respectable cigar. Nice notes of almonds and honey, decent construction. However, I found it a bit one-dimensional compared to other Montecristo offerings. Not bad, but there are better options in this price range.
Lisa Walker –
Good cigar but expected a bit more for the price. The Montecristo Montecristo No.1 delivered on flavor (spice and toast) and construction, but lacked the complexity I was hoping for. Solid smoke, just not outstanding. Still enjoyable.
William Garcia –
The Montecristo No.1 is a respectable cigar. Nice notes of wood and leather, decent construction. However, I found it a bit one-dimensional compared to other Montecristo offerings. Not bad, but there are better options in this price range.
Kimberly Roberts –
This is hands down one of the best cigars I’ve smoked this year. The Montecristo Montecristo No.1 exceeded all expectations. Rich, creamy smoke with complex notes of cedar and coffee. Construction is perfect, ash holds firm. Worth every penny!
Catherine Murray –
Very good cigar. The Montecristo Montecristo No.1 lives up to its reputation. Beautiful wrapper, good construction, and nice flavor development. Tasted cocoa and cream with a smooth finish. Not the absolute best I’ve had, but definitely solid. Would buy again.
Julia Holmes –
Best cigar I’ve had in a long time! Montecristo really knocked it out of the park with the Montecristo No.1. Rich flavor profile featuring earth and nuts, perfect draw, and excellent burn. Can’t recommend this enough!
Emily Nelson –
Exceptional cigar from Montecristo. The Montecristo No.1 delivers on every level – flavor, construction, consistency. Beautiful notes of cedar and coffee throughout the 52 minute smoke. This is why Cuban cigars are legendary!
Betty Lewis –
Solid cigar from Montecristo. The Montecristo No.1 has nice flavors of spice and toast and good construction. Enjoyed about 57 minutes of smooth smoking. Would recommend, especially for those new to Montecristo.
Jessica White –
A true masterpiece from Montecristo. This Montecristo No.1 is everything you want in a premium Cuban cigar. Exquisite flavors of cedar and coffee, flawless construction, razor-sharp burn. Been smoking these for years and they never disappoint!
Harold Wells –
Absolutely outstanding cigar! The Montecristo Montecristo No.1 delivers exceptional quality from start to finish. Rich, complex flavors with notes of wood and leather. Perfect construction and draw. This is what premium Cuban cigars are all about. Highly recommended!
Dorothy Hughes –
A true masterpiece from Montecristo. This Montecristo No.1 is everything you want in a premium Cuban cigar. Exquisite flavors of earth and nuts, flawless construction, razor-sharp burn. Been smoking these for years and they never disappoint!
Alexander Green –
The Montecristo Montecristo No.1 is a quality cigar. Nice balance of flavor and strength. I enjoyed the wood and leather notes throughout. Construction was very good with only one minor touch-up needed. Good cigar for experienced smokers.
Dennis Wallace –
Absolutely love this Montecristo No.1! Montecristo continues to impress with their quality. Wonderful complexity with spice and toast, smooth creamy smoke, and perfect construction. One of my all-time favorites!
Jack Peterson –
Incredible cigar! The Montecristo No.1 from Montecristo is absolutely exceptional. Smooth, complex, and beautifully balanced. Got wonderful notes of earth and nuts throughout the smoke. Lasted about 54 minutes. Already ordering another box!
Thomas Perry –
Incredible cigar! The Montecristo No.1 from Montecristo is absolutely exceptional. Smooth, complex, and beautifully balanced. Got wonderful notes of cedar and coffee throughout the smoke. Lasted about 54 minutes. Already ordering another box!
Steven Ross –
Top-tier quality from Montecristo. The Montecristo No.1 showcases everything I love about Cuban cigars – impeccable craftsmanship, smooth draw, and layers of flavor. Picked up notes of cedar and coffee. Burned evenly throughout. A must-try for any serious aficionado!
Albert Ross –
Exceptional cigar from Montecristo. The Montecristo No.1 delivers on every level – flavor, construction, consistency. Beautiful notes of almonds and honey throughout the 65 minute smoke. This is why Cuban cigars are legendary!
Debra Warren –
Absolutely outstanding cigar! The Montecristo Montecristo No.1 delivers exceptional quality from start to finish. Rich, complex flavors with notes of cocoa and cream. Perfect construction and draw. This is what premium Cuban cigars are all about. Highly recommended!
Evelyn Russell –
A true masterpiece from Montecristo. This Montecristo No.1 is everything you want in a premium Cuban cigar. Exquisite flavors of cocoa and cream, flawless construction, razor-sharp burn. Been smoking these for years and they never disappoint!
Ruth Powell –
Best cigar I’ve had in a long time! Montecristo really knocked it out of the park with the Montecristo No.1. Rich flavor profile featuring spice and toast, perfect draw, and excellent burn. Can’t recommend this enough!
Ryan Hall –
Absolutely outstanding cigar! The Montecristo Montecristo No.1 delivers exceptional quality from start to finish. Rich, complex flavors with notes of spice and toast. Perfect construction and draw. This is what premium Cuban cigars are all about. Highly recommended!
Willie Ford –
This is hands down one of the best cigars I’ve smoked this year. The Montecristo Montecristo No.1 exceeded all expectations. Rich, creamy smoke with complex notes of cedar and coffee. Construction is perfect, ash holds firm. Worth every penny!
Teresa Myers –
Great cigar! Montecristo Montecristo No.1 offers excellent quality and flavor. Notes of wood and leather throughout, good burn, nice draw. Not quite perfect but very close. Will definitely order again!
Shirley Neal –
This is hands down one of the best cigars I’ve smoked this year. The Montecristo Montecristo No.1 exceeded all expectations. Rich, creamy smoke with complex notes of wood and leather. Construction is perfect, ash holds firm. Worth every penny!
Edward Coleman –
Top-tier quality from Montecristo. The Montecristo No.1 showcases everything I love about Cuban cigars – impeccable craftsmanship, smooth draw, and layers of flavor. Picked up notes of wood and leather. Burned evenly throughout. A must-try for any serious aficionado!
Amanda Phillips –
Exceptional cigar from Montecristo. The Montecristo No.1 delivers on every level – flavor, construction, consistency. Beautiful notes of spice and toast throughout the 53 minute smoke. This is why Cuban cigars are legendary!
Karen Lee –
Very good cigar. The Montecristo Montecristo No.1 lives up to its reputation. Beautiful wrapper, good construction, and nice flavor development. Tasted spice and toast with a smooth finish. Not the absolute best I’ve had, but definitely solid. Would buy again.
Peter Hayes –
Excellent cigar from Montecristo. The Montecristo No.1 has a refined flavor profile – lots of cocoa and cream. Draw was perfect and it burned for about 82 minutes. Only minor complaint is it’s slightly strong for my taste, but overall a great smoke.
Susan Richardson –
The Montecristo No.1 is a respectable cigar. Nice notes of cedar and coffee, decent construction. However, I found it a bit one-dimensional compared to other Montecristo offerings. Not bad, but there are better options in this price range.
Jeffrey Watson –
Absolutely outstanding cigar! The Montecristo Montecristo No.1 delivers exceptional quality from start to finish. Rich, complex flavors with notes of wood and leather. Perfect construction and draw. This is what premium Cuban cigars are all about. Highly recommended!