About the Montecristo No.3
Few cigars carry the weight of reputation quite like the Montecristo No.3. The Montecristo brand was born in 1935 when Alonso Menendez acquired the Particulares factory in Havana and named his new marca after Alexandre Dumas’ beloved novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, a tale that rollers reportedly loved to hear read aloud at the bench. From that house came the celebrated numbered series, sizes one through five, and those original formats remain in production to this day. The No.3 is the classic Corona of the line, a 5.6 inch by 42 ring gauge vitola that distills the signature Montecristo blend into one of the most approachable and consistent shapes Habanos S.A. produces.
Flavor profile by thirds
The first third opens smooth and creamy, with toasted cedar leading the way alongside a gentle wash of coffee and a faint crack of black pepper on the retrohale. Through the middle, the cigar settles into its character, layering warm cocoa over nutty almond sweetness while a soft, earthy backbone keeps everything grounded. The final third deepens toward espresso and roasted notes, with a touch of honeyed richness that carries through to a clean, satisfying finish. Body sits squarely in the medium range, occasionally edging toward medium-full, never overwhelming the palate.
Pairings
- An aged Cuban rum, whose caramel and oak echo the cigar’s cocoa and cedar notes.
- A cup of strong espresso or dark roast coffee to mirror the smoke’s roasted core.
- A lightly peated single malt Scotch for those who enjoy a touch of contrast against the sweetness.
Aging and storage
Montecristo No.3 smokes beautifully young, yet it also rewards patience. Kept at a steady 65 to 70 percent relative humidity and around 18 degrees Celsius, the blend rounds out over a year or two, with the pepper mellowing and the cocoa and honey notes growing more pronounced. Store the cigars in a well seasoned humidor away from light and temperature swings, and rotate boxes occasionally so the bundle ages evenly. Many collectors hold a box specifically to track how this classic profile matures.
Who it is for
This is a cigar that bridges experience levels with rare ease. Newcomers stepping up from milder smokes will find the medium body and balanced sweetness forgiving and instructive, an honest introduction to the Cuban idiom. Seasoned aficionados return to the No.3 for its dependability and its place in cigar history, treating it as a reliable daily Corona rather than a special occasion indulgence. If you want a genuine Havana that delivers complexity without demanding a free afternoon, this is the one.
Frequently asked questions
What size is the Montecristo No.3?
It is a Corona vitola measuring 5.6 inches (142 mm) in length with a 42 ring gauge, traditionally boxed in 25s.
How strong is the Montecristo No.3?
It is generally regarded as medium bodied, sometimes leaning toward medium-full, which makes it accessible to confident newcomers while still satisfying experienced smokers.
What does the Montecristo No.3 taste like?
Expect a creamy, balanced profile of cedar, coffee and espresso, warm cocoa, nutty almond, and a gentle thread of honey, with a light peppery edge on the retrohale.
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.
Ann Crawford –
Really enjoyed this Montecristo No.3. 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!
Andrew Thompson –
Great smoke for the price. This Montecristo No.3 offers excellent value for a premium Montecristo cigar. Good flavor with notes of almonds and honey, even burn, and consistent quality. Perfect for a weekend smoke. Happy with this purchase!
Harold Wells –
A true masterpiece from Montecristo. This Montecristo No.3 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!
Gary Wood –
The Montecristo No.3 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.
Paul Price –
Incredible cigar! The Montecristo No.3 from Montecristo is absolutely exceptional. Smooth, complex, and beautifully balanced. Got wonderful notes of wood and leather throughout the smoke. Lasted about 90 minutes. Already ordering another box!
Brian Parker –
Very good cigar. The Montecristo Montecristo No.3 lives up to its reputation. Beautiful wrapper, good construction, and nice flavor development. Tasted earth and nuts with a smooth finish. Not the absolute best I’ve had, but definitely solid. Would buy again.
Theresa Lawson –
Really enjoyed this Montecristo No.3. Montecristo consistently delivers quality and this is no exception. Good complexity with notes of cedar and coffee. Construction was solid and burn was even. A bit pricey but you get what you pay for with Cuban cigars. Recommended!
Diane Ross –
Phenomenal smoke! Been enjoying Cuban cigars for years and this Montecristo No.3 is easily one of my favorites. Beautiful wrapper, flawless construction, and about 86 minutes of pure enjoyment. The flavor profile is incredible – wood and leather. Will definitely order more!
David Williams –
Very good cigar. The Montecristo Montecristo No.3 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.
Sandra Young –
Solid cigar from Montecristo. The Montecristo No.3 has nice flavors of wood and leather and good construction. Enjoyed about 59 minutes of smooth smoking. Would recommend, especially for those new to Montecristo.
Catherine Murray –
Five stars all the way! The Montecristo Montecristo No.3 is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of earth and nuts. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Amanda Phillips –
Absolutely love this Montecristo No.3! 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!
Mildred Pierce –
Top-tier quality from Montecristo. The Montecristo No.3 showcases everything I love about Cuban cigars – impeccable craftsmanship, smooth draw, and layers of flavor. Picked up notes of cocoa and cream. Burned evenly throughout. A must-try for any serious aficionado!
Carol King –
Good cigar but expected a bit more for the price. The Montecristo Montecristo No.3 delivered on flavor (cedar and coffee) and construction, but lacked the complexity I was hoping for. Solid smoke, just not outstanding. Still enjoyable.
Doris Spencer –
Great smoke for the price. This Montecristo No.3 offers excellent value for a premium Montecristo cigar. Good flavor with notes of almonds and honey, even burn, and consistent quality. Perfect for a weekend smoke. Happy with this purchase!
Raymond Morgan –
Absolutely outstanding cigar! The Montecristo Montecristo No.3 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!
Ruth Powell –
Best cigar I’ve had in a long time! Montecristo really knocked it out of the park with the Montecristo No.3. Rich flavor profile featuring almonds and honey, perfect draw, and excellent burn. Can’t recommend this enough!
Howard Lynch –
Five stars all the way! The Montecristo Montecristo No.3 is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of wood and leather. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Jacqueline Porter –
Great smoke for the price. This Montecristo No.3 offers excellent value for a premium Montecristo cigar. Good flavor with notes of spice and toast, even burn, and consistent quality. Perfect for a weekend smoke. Happy with this purchase!
Henry Gardner –
Absolutely love this Montecristo No.3! 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!
Donna Campbell –
Five stars all the way! The Montecristo Montecristo No.3 is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of cedar and coffee. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Angela Griffin –
Excellent cigar from Montecristo. The Montecristo No.3 has a refined flavor profile – lots of spice and toast. Draw was perfect and it burned for about 88 minutes. Only minor complaint is it’s slightly strong for my taste, but overall a great smoke.
Lawrence Rose –
Absolutely love this Montecristo No.3! 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!
George Collins –
Really enjoyed this Montecristo No.3. Montecristo consistently delivers quality and this is no exception. Good complexity with notes of almonds and honey. Construction was solid and burn was even. A bit pricey but you get what you pay for with Cuban cigars. Recommended!
Jack Peterson –
Best cigar I’ve had in a long time! Montecristo really knocked it out of the park with the Montecristo No.3. Rich flavor profile featuring spice and toast, perfect draw, and excellent burn. Can’t recommend this enough!
Shirley Neal –
This is hands down one of the best cigars I’ve smoked this year. The Montecristo Montecristo No.3 exceeded all expectations. Rich, creamy smoke with complex notes of cocoa and cream. Construction is perfect, ash holds firm. Worth every penny!
Richard Howard –
Absolutely love this Montecristo No.3! 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!
Deborah Stewart –
Good cigar but expected a bit more for the price. The Montecristo Montecristo No.3 delivered on flavor (cocoa and cream) and construction, but lacked the complexity I was hoping for. Solid smoke, just not outstanding. Still enjoyable.
Scott Henderson –
Exceptional cigar from Montecristo. The Montecristo No.3 delivers on every level – flavor, construction, consistency. Beautiful notes of spice and toast throughout the 58 minute smoke. This is why Cuban cigars are legendary!
Betty Lewis –
Top-tier quality from Montecristo. The Montecristo No.3 showcases everything I love about Cuban cigars – impeccable craftsmanship, smooth draw, and layers of flavor. Picked up notes of cocoa and cream. Burned evenly throughout. A must-try for any serious aficionado!
Anna Sanders –
Best cigar I’ve had in a long time! Montecristo really knocked it out of the park with the Montecristo No.3. Rich flavor profile featuring cedar and coffee, perfect draw, and excellent burn. Can’t recommend this enough!
Carolyn Jenkins –
Best cigar I’ve had in a long time! Montecristo really knocked it out of the park with the Montecristo No.3. Rich flavor profile featuring spice and toast, perfect draw, and excellent burn. Can’t recommend this enough!
Peter Hayes –
Solid cigar from Montecristo. The Montecristo No.3 has nice flavors of almonds and honey and good construction. Enjoyed about 57 minutes of smooth smoking. Would recommend, especially for those new to Montecristo.
Gregory Murphy –
Incredible cigar! The Montecristo No.3 from Montecristo is absolutely exceptional. Smooth, complex, and beautifully balanced. Got wonderful notes of almonds and honey throughout the smoke. Lasted about 90 minutes. Already ordering another box!
Anthony Harris –
A true masterpiece from Montecristo. This Montecristo No.3 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!