Montecristo No. 2

Montecristo No. 2, box of 25. The world’s most famous torpedo — coffee, dark chocolate and cedar in Cuba’s definitive Piramides. Authentic Habanos.

The Montecristo No. 2 is the most written about, most collected and most imitated Cuban cigar in the world. In the 6 1/8″ × 52 Piramides format — a pyramid-shaped torpedo with a tapered head — it has achieved a canonical status rarely accorded to any manufactured product. Introduce it to a room and experienced smokers will pay attention.

Its reputation is earned rather than inherited. The Piramides vitola concentrates the draw through its tapered head, intensifying the opening flavours before opening up as the ring gauge widens. The result is a dynamic, three-act smoke: the first third is coffee, cedar and a clean earthiness; the mid-section deepens into dark chocolate and leather; the final third settles into a rich, full-bodied finish with black pepper and a long, dry close.

Rolled at the H. Upmann factory in Havana (despite the brand name) using the finest Vuelta Abajo leaf, the No. 2 is a medium-full cigar that rewards experienced smokers and respectfully challenges intermediates. It is not the right first cigar — but it may well become an irreplaceable one.

A box of 25 in the classic Montecristo black and gold presentation. The most important box in any serious collection.