About the San Cristobal El Morro
San Cristobal de la Habana arrived as one of the youngest Cuban marcas, launched in Havana on November 20, 1999, with a quartet of cigars named after the fortresses that once defended the colonial city. The El Morro is the largest format in that founding lineup, taking its name from the imposing Castillo del Morro at the mouth of Havana’s harbor. Built as a true Double Corona (the factory calls this vitola Paco), it rolls out long and stately, the kind of cigar made for an unhurried afternoon rather than a quick break. Tobaccos for the line come from the Vuelta Abajo region, and the result is a smoke that leans toward the classic, full-flavored side of the Habanos spectrum.
Flavor profile by thirds
The first third tends to open with earthy, woody depth, leading with cedar and a backbone of roasted coffee that signals where the cigar is headed. As you move into the second third, the smoke fills out and gains complexity, with notes of dark cocoa and a faint leather edge weaving through the core tobacco character. The final third carries the most weight, where the spice picks up and a subtle sweetness rounds off the finish. It reads as a medium to full bodied experience that builds steadily rather than arriving all at once.
Pairings
- An aged Cuban rum, whose caramel and oak echo the cigar’s woody, coffee-driven core.
- A robust espresso or a dark roast coffee to mirror the roasted notes already present in the smoke.
- A lightly peated single malt Scotch, balancing the cigar’s earthy depth without overpowering it.
Aging and storage
Like most full-flavored Habanos, the El Morro rewards patience. Kept in a properly seasoned humidor at roughly 65 to 70 percent relative humidity and around 18 degrees Celsius, the blend tends to soften its youthful edges and let the sweeter, more rounded notes come forward over the years. A long Double Corona also holds humidity well thanks to its sheer mass of leaf, so resist rushing it. Give boxes a few months of rest after purchase and you will usually notice a more harmonious draw.
Who it is for
This is a cigar for the smoker who treats the ritual as the point, not the interruption. The 7.2 inch length and 49 ring gauge translate to well over an hour of smoking, so it suits a relaxed evening, a celebration, or any moment that deserves room to breathe. Newer enthusiasts can certainly enjoy it, but its medium to full character and generous length make it most at home with experienced palates who appreciate a long, evolving Cuban classic.
Frequently asked questions
What size is the San Cristobal El Morro?
It is a Double Corona measuring approximately 7.2 inches (184 mm) with a 49 ring gauge, the factory vitola known as Paco.
How strong is the El Morro?
It sits in the medium to full bodied range, building in intensity from a woody, coffee-forward opening to a spicier, weightier final third.
How long does it take to smoke?
Given its length and ring gauge, expect well over an hour, which makes it best suited to an unhurried setting.
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.