Montecristo
Brand Notes
StatusMontecristo is a current pre-Revolution brand, established in 1935.
It is classified by Habanos SA as a Global brand and has the largest market share.
Generally
The main range comprises medium to full-strength cigars. The Open series comprises light-strength cigars.
Both use tobacco from the premium Vuelta Abajo region.
There is a non-Cuban brand with the same name.
Standard Production
Only five Standard Production cigars were available pre-1960.
Additional cigars were added from 1969 on. The Open range was released in 2009.
Special Releases
Special Releases commenced in 1999 with the inclusion of Montecristo cigars in the Siglo XXI Humidor.
There have been numerous releases since.
Standard Band A
c1940s to c2003 -- Discontinued
Not embossed
Standard Band B
c2003 to 2006 -- Discontinued
Not embossed
Standard Band C
c2006 to c2012 -- Discontinued
Variable embossing
Standard Band D
2013 on - Current
Similar to Band C, but with gold central and side inserts
Standard Production Packaging
Edmundo
SBN25 - 2004
Especial No.1
SBN25 - early 1970s
Montecristo A
vCab25 - early 1970s
Montecristo B
vHum50 - 1970s
Montecristo B
vHum50 - 2000
Montecristo No.1
SLB50 - to 1970s
Montecristo No.2
B25 - 2000s
Montecristo No.2
B10 - 2000s
Current Production Cigars
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard bands A, B, C, D.
Packaging:
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Dress box of 10 cigars (discontinued 2017).
Slide lid box of 25 cigars in cellophane (discontinued c1970s).
Slide lid box of 50 cigars (discontinued c1970s).
Aluminium pack of 10 cigars.
Cellophane wrapped bundle of 25 cigars.
Dress box of 25 cigars in cellophane.
Aluminium pack of 25 cigars.
Aluminium pack of 50 cigars.
Cajón of 100 cigars.
Dress box of 10 cigars (discontinued 2017).
Slide lid box of 25 cigars in cellophane (discontinued c1970s).
Slide lid box of 50 cigars (discontinued c1970s).
Aluminium pack of 10 cigars.
Cellophane wrapped bundle of 25 cigars.
Dress box of 25 cigars in cellophane.
Aluminium pack of 25 cigars.
Aluminium pack of 50 cigars.
Cajón of 100 cigars.
Status:
A pre-1960 release. Current.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard bands A, B, C, D.
Packaging:
Cardboard pack of 3 cigars (released 2003).
Dress box of 10 cigars.
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Aluminium pack of 10 cigars.
Dress box of 10 cigars.
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Aluminium pack of 10 cigars.
Status:
A pre-1960 release. Current.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard bands A, B, C, D.
Packaging:
Cardboard pack of 3 cigars.
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Dress box of 10 cigars (discontinued 2017).
Slide lid box of 50 cigars (discontinued c1970s).
Cardboard pack of 5 cigars.
Dress box of 10 cigars in cellophane.
Dress box of 25 cigars in cellophane.
Dress box of 50 cigars.
Aluminium pack of 50 cigars.
Dress box of 100 cigars in cellophane.
Aluminium pack of 100 cigars.
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Dress box of 10 cigars (discontinued 2017).
Slide lid box of 50 cigars (discontinued c1970s).
Cardboard pack of 5 cigars.
Dress box of 10 cigars in cellophane.
Dress box of 25 cigars in cellophane.
Dress box of 50 cigars.
Aluminium pack of 50 cigars.
Dress box of 100 cigars in cellophane.
Aluminium pack of 100 cigars.
Status:
A pre-1960 release. Current.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard bands A, B, C, D.
Packaging:
Cardboard pack of 3 cigars.
Cardboard pack of 5 cigars.
Dress box of 10 cigars.
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Slide lid box of 25 cigars in aluminium foil (discontinued c1970s).
Slide lid box of 50 cigars (discontinued c1970s).
Dress box of 25 cigars in cellophane.
Dress box of 50 cigars.
Aluminium pack of 50 cigars.
Cajón of 100 cigars.
Dress box of 100 cigars in cellophane.
Aluminium pack of 100 cigars.
Cardboard pack of 5 cigars.
Dress box of 10 cigars.
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Slide lid box of 25 cigars in aluminium foil (discontinued c1970s).
Slide lid box of 50 cigars (discontinued c1970s).
Dress box of 25 cigars in cellophane.
Dress box of 50 cigars.
Aluminium pack of 50 cigars.
Cajón of 100 cigars.
Dress box of 100 cigars in cellophane.
Aluminium pack of 100 cigars.
Status:
A pre-1960 release. Current.
History:
A replica (c1970s) Aluminium Pack of 5 was proposed in late-2009 but never released.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard bands A, B, C, D.
Packaging:
Cardboard pack of 5 cigars (released c2003).
Dress box of 10 cigars.
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Cardboard pack of 5 cigars in cellophane (discontinued mid-1980s).
Dress box of 25 cigars in cellophane (discontinued c1980s).
Aluminium pack of 50 cigars (discontinued c1980s).
Aluminium pack of 100 cigars (discontinued c1980s).
Slide lid box of 25 cigars in an aluminium foil bundle (discontinued c1970s).
Dress box of 10 cigars.
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Cardboard pack of 5 cigars in cellophane (discontinued mid-1980s).
Dress box of 25 cigars in cellophane (discontinued c1980s).
Aluminium pack of 50 cigars (discontinued c1980s).
Aluminium pack of 100 cigars (discontinued c1980s).
Slide lid box of 25 cigars in an aluminium foil bundle (discontinued c1970s).
Status:
A pre-1960 release. Current.
Discontinued Tube
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard bands A, B, C, D.
Tubes:
Premium tube introduced ?
Packaging:
Dress box of 10 cigars in aluminium tubes.
Dress box of 25 cigars in aluminium tubes.
Cardboard pack of 3 cigars in aluminium tubes (released c2003, discontinued 2017).
Cardboard pack of 5 cigars in aluminium tubes (discontinued c1980s).
Aluminium pack of 5 cigars in aluminium tubes (discontinued c1980s).
Dress box of 25 cigars in aluminium tubes.
Cardboard pack of 3 cigars in aluminium tubes (released c2003, discontinued 2017).
Cardboard pack of 5 cigars in aluminium tubes (discontinued c1980s).
Aluminium pack of 5 cigars in aluminium tubes (discontinued c1980s).
Status:
A pre-1960s release. Current.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard bands A, B, C, D.
Packaging:
Semi boîte nature box of 25 cigars.
Cardboard pack of 5 cigars (discontinued 2009).
Semi boîte nature box of 25 cigars in cellophane (discontinued c1980s).
Cardboard pack of 5 cigars (discontinued 2009).
Semi boîte nature box of 25 cigars in cellophane (discontinued c1980s).
Status:
A 1969 release. Current.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard bands A, B, C, D.
Packaging:
Semi boîte nature box of 25 cigars.
Semi boîte nature box of 10 cigars.
Aluminium pack of 100 cigars.
Semi boîte nature box of 10 cigars.
Aluminium pack of 100 cigars.
Status:
A 1969 release. Current.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard bands A, B, C, D.
Packaging:
Semi boîte nature box of 25 cigars.
Semi boîte nature box of 10 cigars (discontinued pre-2000).
Cajón of 100 cigars in cellophane (discontinued c1980s).
Semi boîte nature box of 10 cigars (discontinued pre-2000).
Cajón of 100 cigars in cellophane (discontinued c1980s).
Status:
A 1969 release. Current.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard bands A, B, C, D.
Packaging:
Dress box of 5 cigars in varnished individual slide lid boxes.
Varnished cabinet of 25 cigars (discontinued 2010).
Varnished cabinet of 25 cigars (discontinued 2010).
Status:
A 1971 release. Current.
Discontinued Tube
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard bands A, B, C, D.
Tubes:
Premium tube introduced c2009.
Packaging:
Cardboard pack of 3 cigars in aluminium tubes.
Cardboard pack of 5 cigars in aluminium tubes.
Dress box of 25 cigars in aluminium tubes.
Dress box of 10 cigars in aluminium tubes (discontinued 2017).
Cardboard pack of 5 cigars in aluminium tubes.
Dress box of 25 cigars in aluminium tubes.
Dress box of 10 cigars in aluminium tubes (discontinued 2017).
Status:
A 1980s release. Current.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard bands B, C, D.
Packaging:
Cardboard pack of 3 cigars in aluminium tubes (released c2008).
Cardboard pack of 3 cigars.
Semi boîte nature box of 25 cigars.
Cardboard pack of 3 cigars.
Semi boîte nature box of 25 cigars.
Status:
A 2004 release. Current.
History:
In 2010 a ceramic jar of 25 cigars were produced for W. Europe.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard bands C, D.
Packaging:
Cardboard pack of 3 cigars in aluminium tubes (released c2008).
Semi boîte nature box of 10 cigars.
Semi boîte nature box of 25 cigars.
Semi boîte nature box of 10 cigars.
Semi boîte nature box of 25 cigars.
Status:
A 2006 release. Current.
Open Eagle Band
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band C, D, with a special Open Eagle band.
Packaging:
Cardboard pack of 3 cigars in aluminium tubes (released 2009).
Dress box of 20 cigars (released c2009).
Dress box of 20 cigars (released c2009).
Status:
A 2009 release. Current.
History:
The Montecristo Open range was introduced early 2009 as a lighter flavoured blend, supposedly targeted at "sporty outdoor smokers".
A new vitola size was created for this cigar. The range was originally intended to be named Sport, and this cigar was to be called Mónaco.
A new vitola size was created for this cigar. The range was originally intended to be named Sport, and this cigar was to be called Mónaco.
Open Junior Band
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band C, then D, with a special Open Junior band.
Packaging:
Cardboard pack of 3 cigars in aluminium tubes (released 2010).
Dress box of 20 cigars (released 2009).
Dress box of 20 cigars (released 2009).
Status:
A 2009 release. Current.
History:
In the proposed Sport range, this cigar was to be named Swing.
Open Master Band
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band C, D, with a special Open Master band.
Packaging:
Cardboard pack of 3 cigars in aluminium tubes (released 2010).
Dress box of 20 cigars (released 2009).
Dress box of 20 cigars (released 2009).
Status:
A 2009 release. Current.
History:
In the proposed Sport range, this cigar was also to be named Master.
Open Regata Band
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band C, D with a special Open Regata band.
Packaging:
Cardboard pack of 3 cigars in aluminium tubes (released 2011).
Dress box of 20 cigars (released 2009).
Dress box of 20 cigars (released 2009).
Status:
A 2009 release. Current.
History:
A new vitola size was created for this cigar. In the proposed Sport range, this cigar was to be named Albatros.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band D.
Packaging:
Cardboard pack of 3 cigars (released 2013).
Semi boîte nature box of 10 cigars (released 2013).
Semi boîte nature box of 25 cigars (released 2013).
Semi boîte nature box of 10 cigars (released 2013).
Semi boîte nature box of 25 cigars (released 2013).
Status:
A 2013 release. Current.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band D.
Packaging:
Dress box of 10 cigars.
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Cardboard pack of 3 cigars (discontinued 2017).
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Cardboard pack of 3 cigars (discontinued 2017).
Status:
A 2013 release. Current.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band D.
Packaging:
Aluminium pack of 5 cigars (released 2018).
Cardboard pack of 5 cigars in aluminium tubes.
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Cardboard pack of 5 cigars in aluminium tubes.
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Status:
A 2015 release. Current.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band D, with Línea 1935 second band, and Montecristo foot-band.
Packaging:
Brown lacquered bevel edged boîte nature box of 20 cigars.
Status:
A 2017 release. Current. Released mid-2018.
History:
Part of the premium 1935 line, which commemorates the founding of the Montecristo brand.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band D, with Línea 1935 second band, and Montecristo foot-band.
Packaging:
Brown lacquered bevel edged boîte nature box of 20 cigars.
Status:
A 2017 release. Current. Released mid-2018.
History:
Part of the premium 1935 line, which commemorates the founding of the Montecristo brand.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band D, with Línea 1935 second band, and Montecristo foot-band.
Packaging:
Brown lacquered bevel edged boîte nature box of 20 cigars.
Status:
A 2017 release. Current. Released mid-2018.
History:
Part of the premium 1935 line, which commemorates the founding of the Montecristo brand.
Cazadores Especiales - a new special release size.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band D, with a second Habanos Specialist Exclusive band.
Packaging:
Luxury boîte nature box of 20 cigars.
Status:
A 2020 release. Not yet available.
Discontinued Production Cigars
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band A.
Packaging:
Semi boîte nature box of 25 cigars.
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Status:
A 1980 release. Discontinued 1998. A rare cigar.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band A.
Packaging:
Semi boîte nature box of 25 cigars.
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Status:
A 1980 release. Discontinued 1998. A rare cigar.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band A.
Packaging:
Humidor of 50 cigars.
Status:
A 1971 release. Discontinued mid-1980s.
History:
While discontinued in the 1980s, these humidors were reportedly produced yearly in extremely limited numbers until at least the early 2000s.
Special Releases
Montecristo No.1 - a current production size
Montecristo No.2 - a current production size
Montecristo No.3 - a current production size
Montecristo No.4 - a current production size
Montecristo No.5 - a current production size
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard bands.
Packaging:
Semi boîte nature box of 50 cigars.
Status:
A pre-1960 release. Last seen 2003.
History:
While a discontinued production cigar, these humidors are reportedly produced yearly in extremely limited numbers.
Robustos - a new special release size
Millennium Reserve 2000 Band
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Special Millennium Reserve 2000 band.
Packaging:
Ceramic jar of 25 cigars (10,000 produced).
Status:
A 1999 release. Balance of jars released late 2002.
History:
Launched at the 1999 Havana Festival to celebrate the Millennium. Due to the rejection of some defective jars, only a partial release was made. Replacement jars were not available until 2002. The balance of the stored 1999 cigars were packed and released late 2002. They have a box code OSU Nov 2002.
Robustos - a special release size
Construction:
Handmade. Wrapper aged 2 years.
Bands:
Standard band A, with an undated Edición Limitada band.
Packaging:
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Status:
A 2000 release.
Double Corona - a new special release size
Construction:
Handmade. Wrapper aged 2 years.
Bands:
Standard band A, with Limited Edition 2001 band.
Packaging:
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Status:
A 2001 release. Not available until 2002.
Montecristo No.4 - a current production size
Salomones II - a new special release size
Compay 95 Aniversario Band
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Special Compay 95 Aniversario band.
Packaging:
Numbered humidor of 95 cigars (95 produced).
Status:
A 2002 release.
History:
There was also a single humidor containing 156 Montecristo No.3 cigars, released in 2001 for Compay's 94th Anniversary.
Montecristo C - a new special release size
Construction:
Handmade. Wrapper aged 2 years.
Bands:
Standard band B, with Edición Limitada 2003 band.
Packaging:
Boîte nature box of 25 cigars.
Status:
A 2003 release.
Montecristo A - a current production size
Salomones II - a special release size
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band B.
Packaging:
Numbered humidor of 100 cigars (700 produced).
Status:
A 2004 release.
Maravillas No.1 - a new special release size
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band B.
Packaging:
Numbered book-shaped boîte nature box of 20 cigars (500 produced).
Status:
A 2005 release.
History:
The fifth release of the Habanos Collection Series, and the 70th Anniversary of the Montecristo Brand.
Montecristo D - a new special release size
Construction:
Handmade. Wrapper aged 2 years.
Bands:
Standard band B, with Edición Limitada 2005 band.
Packaging:
Varnished 8-9-8 box of 10 cigars.
Status:
A 2005 release.
Robusto - a special release size
Construction:
Handmade. Wrapper aged 2 years.
Bands:
Standard band C, with Edición Limitada 2006 band.
Packaging:
Semi boîte nature box of 25 cigars.
Status:
A 2006 release.
History:
A re-release of the Robustos Limited Edition 2000.
Edmundo - a current production size
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band C.
Packaging:
Leather-bound travel humidor of 10 cigars..
Status:
A 2006 release.
History:
The first release of the Duty Free and Travel Retail Series.
Montecristo B - a reinstated production size
Compay Segundo 100 Band
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band C, with a special Compay 100 Aniversario band.
Packaging:
Numbered humidor of 50 cigars (150 produced).
Status:
A 2007 release.
History:
Released to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Compay Segundo's birth. Replica of the discontinued Montecristo B humidor.
Montecristo No.4 - a current production size
Reserva Band
Construction:
Handmade. Tobacco is from the 2002 Harvest and is aged a minimum of three years before rolling.
Bands:
Standard band C, with a special Reserva band.
Packaging:
Numbered black lacquered boîte nature box of 20 cigars (5,000 produced).
Status:
A 2007 release.
Sublimes - a new special release size
Construction:
Handmade. All tobacco aged 2 years.
Bands:
Standard band C, with Edición Limitada 2008 band.
Packaging:
Semi boîte nature box of 10 cigars.
Status:
A 2008 release.
Double Corona - a previous special release size
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band C.
Packaging:
Numbered humidor of 50 cigars (350 produced).
Status:
A 2009 release.
History:
The fourth release of the Replica Antique Humidor Series.
Grand Edmundo - a new special release size
Construction:
Handmade. All tobacco aged two years.
Bands:
Standard band C, with a Limited Edition 2010 band.
Packaging:
Semi boîte nature box of 10 cigars.
Status:
A 2010 release.
Montecristo No.2 - a standard production size
Grand Reserve Band
Construction:
Handmade, using tobacco from the 2005 harvest.
Bands:
Standard band C, with a special Grand Reserve band.
Packaging:
Numbered black lacquered boîte nature box of 15 cigars (5,000 produced).
Status:
A 2011 release.
Montecristo 520 - a new special release size
Construction:
Handmade, using two-year old aged tobacco.
Bands:
Standard band C, with Edición Limitada 2012 band.
Packaging:
Dress box of 10 cigars.
Status:
A 2012 release.
Julieta No. 2 - a new special release size.
Construction:
Handmade, then aged for 5 - 8 years.
Bands:
Standard band C with an Aged Habanos (Añejados) band.
Packaging:
Dress box of 25 cigars.
Status:
A 2014 release.
History:
Released early 2015.
Maravillas No. 2 - a new special release size.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Special Gold Montecristo band, with second 80 Aniversario band.
Packaging:
Brown lacquered bevel edged boîte nature box of 20 cigars (30,000 produced).
Status:
A 2015 release.
History:
Released mid-2016.
Hermosos No. 1 - a new special release size.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band D, with Edición Limitada 2016 band.
Packaging:
Varnished semi boîte nature box of 10 cigars.
Status:
A 2016 release. Released February 2017.
Gran Pirámides - a new special release size.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band D.
Packaging:
Numbered book-shaped boîte nature box of 20 cigars (2,000 produced).
Status:
A 2018 release. Released early 2019.
Dobles - an existing regular production size.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Standard band D.
Packaging:
Humidor of 10 cigars (10,000 produced).
Status:
A 2018 release.
Montesco - a new special release size.
Construction:
Handmade.
Bands:
Large band D, with Edición Limitada 2019 band.
Packaging:
Luxury box of 25 cigars.
Status:
A 2019 release.
History:
Released early 2020.