Montecristo Cigars

Almost a century after the publication of the novel The Count of MonteCristo , Alonso Menéndez from Asturias, who already had a cigar business in Cuba, created and registered a trademark of cigars after the name of the main character of that novel.

Originating in Cuba, the fine tradition of Montecristo continues today. Hand manufactured by skilled craftsmen in the Dominican Republic, the Montecristo cigar maintains its reputation as one of the finest cigars on the market and the standard by which others are judged. Known for its smooth and satisfying taste, Montecristo is a medium bodied cigar with a rich aroma, a smooth smoke and impeccable construction. 

The success of the Montecristo has a lot to do with the tangy flavor of the blend. In addition to the unique arrangements of the filler leaves, the ligero filler is stored in a special type of cedar box prior to construction.  This process attributed to great cigar roller, Jose Manuel Gonzales, nicknamed "Masinguilla"-- "the masseur"-- for his enormous skill. The Montecristo are, generally, slightly milder than Cohibas with less ligero in their blend. They have characteristic dark, slightly oily wrappers with a distinct aromatic flavor.

The modern day Montecristo refers to two brands of premium cigar, one produced on the island of Cuba for Habanos SA, the Cuban state-owned tobacco company, and the other produced in La Romana, Dominican Republic for the Franco-Spanish tobacco monopoly Altadis SA. Due to the Cuban embargo, the American market may only purchase and consume the Montecristo produced in the Domincan Republic.