Description
Why the Montecristo Club 20 Is My Go-To for Quick Smoke Sessions
There’s this weird thing that happens when you mention “cigarillos” at a cigar lounge. Some guys get this dismissive look, like you just suggested pairing a Cohiba with Mountain Dew. But I’m telling you – and I’ll stake my reputation on this – the Montecristo Club 20 is one of the most misunderstood cigars in the Cuban lineup. This isn’t some gas station smoke. This is a legitimate Montecristo, scaled down for those moments when you’ve got 20 minutes instead of 2 hours. I keep a tin of these in my car, another in my desk drawer, and there’s always a backup in my humidor. Why? Because sometimes life doesn’t give you a full evening, but you still want that authentic Cuban experience.
The Little Montecristo That Could
Montecristo doesn’t need an introduction – it’s arguably the most recognized cigar brand on the planet. Since 1935, they’ve been the benchmark for what a Cuban cigar should taste like. The thing about the Club 20 though… it’s what I call a “respect test” for a brand. Anyone can make a great Churchill when they’re using premium leaves and giving it 90 minutes to develop. But can you capture that signature profile in a small format? Can you deliver actual complexity in 20 minutes? That’s the challenge.
And Montecristo nailed it. Actually, let me back up – they didn’t just nail it, they’ve created something that stands on its own. This isn’t a watered-down version of a No. 2. It’s its own thing. The Club 20 comes in those classic yellow and brown tins, machine-made for consistency, and measuring a compact size that’s perfect for coffee breaks, dog walks, or that window between dinner and whatever’s next. I’ve introduced at least a dozen people to Cuban cigars through this exact vitola, because it’s not intimidating and it won’t punish a new smoker with nicotine overload.
Who’s this for? Honestly, everyone. New smokers who want to understand what Montecristo is about without committing to an hour-plus session. Experienced aficionados who need a quick fix between meetings. People who want to keep a few cigars handy without worrying about elaborate humidor setups. I’ve smoked these everywhere from fishing boats to golf courses to my back porch at 6 AM with coffee.
What You’re Actually Getting
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Club (Small Panetela) |
| Length | 4.3 inches / 110 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 20 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban blend |
| Strength | Mild to Medium |
| Smoking Time | 15-25 minutes |
The Smoke: What Actually Happens When You Light One Up
Okay, so here’s where it gets interesting. The cold draw – and yeah, I know some people skip this on smaller cigars, but don’t – gives you this clean, slightly sweet tobacco note. There’s a hint of hay, maybe some almond if you’re paying attention. It’s subtle. The wrapper has that classic Cuban sheen, light brown with a bit of tooth to it. Nothing fancy, but it feels right in your fingers.
First few puffs? Immediate cedar. That’s the Montecristo signature right there. But here’s what surprised me the first time I really paid attention to these – there’s actual complexity happening. You get some earth, a touch of leather, and this creamy smoothness that coats your palate. The strength sits comfortably in the mild-to-medium range, which is perfect for morning or afternoon sessions. I’ve had these with my first coffee of the day and with a post-lunch espresso, and both work beautifully.
The middle section – and we’re talking maybe 8 minutes in – develops this interesting spicy character. Not pepper, exactly. More like… hmm, how do I explain this. It’s warming rather than sharp. Some sweet tobacco notes come through, and if you’re retrohaling (which I recommend, even on short smokes), you’ll pick up more of that cedar with a touch of cocoa. Maybe I’m imagining the cocoa. But I swear it’s there.
Final third brings a bit more strength. The flavors concentrate – more earth, more leather, that spicy note becomes more pronounced. Some coffee bitterness shows up, which sounds bad but actually balances everything nicely. The burn stays pretty even throughout, which is impressive for a machine-made cigar. I mean, I’m not going to tell you it burns like a hand-rolled Edmundo, but it’s consistent. The ash holds for maybe an inch before you need to tap it. White-gray, fairly tight.
Construction-wise, these are reliable. That’s what you get with machine-made – consistency. I’ve gone through probably 30 tins over the years, and I can count on one hand the number of duds I’ve encountered. The draw is usually perfect, maybe occasionally a touch loose, but never plugged. They don’t tunnel, they don’t canoe, they just… work. Which is exactly what you want when you’ve only got 20 minutes.
How Does It Stack Up?
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montecristo Club 20 | Mild-Medium | 15-25 min | Quick sessions, beginners, daily smoke |
| Cohiba Club | Medium | 15-20 min | More refined palate, special occasions |
| Romeo y Julieta Club | Mild | 15-25 min | Mildest option, morning smoke |
| Partagas Club | Medium-Full | 15-25 min | Stronger preference, experienced smokers |
Real talk – if you’re comparing the small formats, the Montecristo sits right in the sweet spot. The Cohiba Club is smoother and more refined, yeah, but it’s also… I don’t know, sometimes you want that classic Montecristo character, you know? The Romeo Club is too mild for me most days – feels like it’s missing something. And the Partagas Club kicks harder than I usually want in a short smoke. The Montecristo just hits this perfect balance where you get enough flavor and complexity to feel satisfied, but it’s not demanding your full attention or overwhelming your palate.
What to Drink with It (And When to Smoke It)
Coffee. That’s the obvious one, and it works brilliantly. I’m talking about a proper espresso or a strong Cuban coffee if you can get it. The coffee bitterness and that spicy-earthy profile from the cigar play off each other perfectly. But you want to know what else works surprisingly well? A light rum. Specifically, I’ve paired these with Havana Club 3 Year, just over ice, during afternoon smoke sessions, and something about that combination just clicks. The rum’s sweetness balances the earthier notes in the cigar.
Beer? Yeah, actually. A pilsner or a light lager. Nothing too hoppy – you’ll overpower the cigar. I had one with a Presidente (Dominican beer) at a beach resort, and it was perfect. The crisp, clean beer profile let the cigar’s flavors come through without competition.
As for when – these are my morning cigars during the week. Twenty minutes on the back porch before the day gets crazy, with coffee and maybe checking emails. They’re also great for lunch breaks, post-meal smokes when you don’t want something heavy, or those situations where you’re smoking with people who don’t smoke cigars regularly. Nobody feels intimidated by a 20-minute commitment, and you’re not the guy holding up the group because you’re an hour into a Churchill.
How should I store Montecristo Club 20s if I don’t have a humidor?
The tin they come in actually provides decent protection for a few weeks, honestly. But if you want to keep them fresh longer, grab a small Tupperware container, throw in a small Boveda pack (65% RH works great), and store the opened tin in there. I’ve kept them this way for months without issues. Don’t overthink it – these are more forgiving than hand-rolled cigars because of their construction.
Are these real Cuban cigars or just using the Montecristo name?
They’re legitimate Cuban Montecristos, made with Cuban tobacco from the Vuelta Abajo region. Machine-made, yes, but that doesn’t mean they’re not “real” Cubans. Habanos S.A. produces these specifically for the Montecristo line. The tobacco is Cuban, the production is Cuban, they’re the real deal – just in a more accessible format.
What’s the strength like compared to a Montecristo No. 4?
Milder, definitely. The No. 4 sits solidly in medium territory and builds toward medium-full. The Club 20 stays in that mild-to-medium range throughout. It’s a gentler introduction to the Montecristo flavor profile. I’ve handed these to people who found a No. 4 too strong, and they’ve loved them. If you’re sensitive to nicotine or smoking early in the day, the Club 20 won’t knock you sideways.
Can beginners smoke these, or should they start with something else?
This is actually one of my top recommendations for beginners, especially people transitioning from cigarettes. The short smoking time means you’re not committing to an hour-plus session if you discover cigars aren’t your thing. The strength won’t overwhelm a new palate. And you get authentic Cuban tobacco and the Montecristo profile without the intimidation factor. I’ve converted more people to cigar smoking with these than probably any other vitola.
How many come in a tin and how long do they last once opened?
Twenty cigars per tin, hence the name. Once opened, if you’re not using any humidity control, you’ve got maybe 2-3 weeks before they start drying out, depending on your climate. In humid areas, you might get a month. Dry climates, maybe a week or two. But like I mentioned earlier, throw them in a container with a Boveda pack, and you’re good for several months. I’ve had an opened tin last half a year this way with zero issues.
Do these need to age, or can I smoke them right away?
Smoke them whenever. These aren’t cigars that need years in the humidor to reach their potential. They’re designed to be ready-to-smoke. That said – and I’ve tested this – if you do age them for 6-12 months in proper conditions, the flavors integrate a bit more smoothly. But it’s not necessary. I’ve smoked them fresh from the vendor and been perfectly happy. The difference aging makes is subtle, not transformative like it would be with a Monte 2 or something.
Are these better than non-Cuban cigarillos from other brands?
Different category entirely, in my opinion. Most non-Cuban cigarillos – the ones you find in gas stations or convenience stores – are made with homogenized tobacco leaf or other materials. They’re flavored, they’re meant for quick nicotine delivery, they’re not really “cigars” in the traditional sense. The Montecristo Club 20 is made with actual long-filler Cuban tobacco. You’re getting a genuine cigar experience, just in a shorter format. It’s like comparing a shot of decent whiskey to whiskey-flavored vodka. Both serve a purpose, but they’re not the same thing.
Final Thoughts from Someone Who’s Smoked Too Many of These
I’m probably biased at this point because I’ve gone through so many tins of these over the years, but the Montecristo Club 20 deserves more credit than it gets. We cigar enthusiasts sometimes get caught up in longer formats, complex blends, and rare releases. But there’s something to be said for a reliable, well-made cigar that fits into real life. Not every smoke session needs to be an event. Sometimes you just want 20 minutes of quality tobacco, classic Cuban flavors, and a moment to decompress.
If you’re new to Cubans, start here. If you’re experienced but haven’t tried the smaller formats, give these a shot – you might be surprised. And if you’re looking for something to keep handy for those spontaneous moments when a full-size cigar isn’t practical, the Club 20 is the answer. Keep a tin in your car, your desk, your golf bag, wherever. They’re ready when you are, and they won’t disappoint. That’s really all you can ask for in a cigar this size.
