Few cigar brands have achieved the iconic status of Montecristo. Its famous crossed-sword logo and distinctive aroma are known across the world — from the cigar terraces of London to the rolling fields of Vuelta Abajo. But the story of Montecristo’s rise to fame is every bit as captivating as the cigars themselves.
A Bold Beginning
When Sir Francis Drake brought tobacco to England in the 16th century, he couldn’t have imagined that centuries later, Cuba would give birth to a cigar that defined refinement.
Launched officially in 1935, Montecristo was unlike any other Havana. At a time when brands favoured long, poetic Spanish names, Montecristo kept things simple — just five numbered sizes:
No. 1 (Cervantes), No. 2 (Pirámide), No. 3 (Corona), No. 4 (Mareva) y No. 5 (Perla).
This disciplined line-up was revolutionary. It reflected a new, modern Cuba — sleek, confident and focused on craftsmanship rather than ornament. Today, those five vitolas remain at the heart of Montecristo, joined by celebrated newcomers such as the Edmundo, Double Edmundo, and the sporty Open Series, designed for modern tastes and thicker ring gauges.
A Hidden Chapter Uncovered
For decades, historians believed Montecristo launched in 1935 with that original numbered range. But research by Hunters & Frankau — Britain’s exclusive Habanos distributor — revealed a fascinating twist.
Documents from the company archives show that Alonso Menendez, the visionary Spaniard behind Montecristo, didn’t finalise the famous five until years later.
In August 1935, Habano Magazine briefly mentioned a new cigar called Montecristo in an article about Menendez’s recent purchase of the Particulares Factory. The reference was fleeting — Montecristo was little more than a whisper beside established names like Particulares and Byron.
Menendez’s partner, José Manuel “Pépé” García, soon sailed to England to secure a British agent. He visited every importer in London — and was turned down by all of them — until fate led him to Jack Benham, managing director of John Hunter, Morris & Elkan Ltd.
Benham saw what others missed: the makings of a world-class cigar. Against boardroom resistance, he signed a 15-year exclusive contract for the UK market on 10 February 1936. Montecristo has been distributed by Hunters & Frankau for nearly nine decades.
The Lost Vitolas
Attached to Menendez’s 1936 letter was a list of twelve vitolas — a mix of now-familiar and long-forgotten names: Kohinoors, Coronas Magna, Piramides, Cesares, Petit Coronas, Half-a-Coronas, Grandes, Londres, Borlas, Faroles and Damas.
Among them were the seeds of greatness: the Piramide (today’s No. 2), the Corona (No. 3), and the Petit Corona (No. 4). Others have vanished into time, leaving behind an alluring mystery in cigar lore.
War, Rationing & Reinvention
Montecristo flourished until World War II disrupted trade. British import restrictions on US-dollar goods halted Havana shipments, freezing the brand’s UK supply until 1953.
Intriguingly, the Montecristo contract included commissions on sales to Switzerland and Ireland, countries unaffected by those dollar controls. Invoices from 1939 to 1946 show shipments under names like Odeons and Coronas Reales — until October 1946, when a Basel invoice first listed the numeric system we know today.
Somewhere between 1940 and 1946, the Montecristo range transformed from a mix of poetic titles to the clean, iconic numbering that defined its identity.
A Modern Classic Reborn
Fast-forward to 2015, and Habanos S.A. marked Montecristo’s 80th anniversary with two special cigars.
The first was a grand, limited edition: the Montecristo 80 Aniversario, a robust 6½ × 55 (165 mm × 21.8 mm) masterpiece celebrating the brand’s stature.
The second was unexpectedly small — the Media Corona (“Half Corona”), measuring just 3½ inches × 44 ring gauge. Nearly identical to the old Half-a-Corona of the 1930s, it quietly closed a full circle in Montecristo’s story.
It’s poetic symmetry — celebrating 80 years of Cuban excellence with a cigar that harks back to its earliest days.
Montecristo Today
Montecristo remains Cuba’s best-selling brand, admired for its perfect balance of strength, aroma and consistency. Whether you prefer the commanding No. 2 Piramide, the refined No. 4, or the leisurely Double Edmundo, each cigar carries the same DNA that first enchanted British smokers in the 1930s.
At Simply Cigars London, we’re proud to honour that legacy with our curated collection of Montecristo cigars — from timeless classics to limited editions worthy of collectors.
Eighty Years of Montecristo – A Legacy That Endures
From its uncertain beginnings in pre-war Havana to its place today as a symbol of Cuban craftsmanship, Montecristo’s journey is a tale of perseverance, precision and passion.
Eight decades on, the brand continues to inspire aficionados around the world — proof that true excellence never goes out of style.
Explore Montecristo cigars and discover the legend for yourself at Simply Cigars.
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