Description
The Double Corona That Redefined a Legend
I still remember the buzz when Habanos S.A. announced this Limited Edition back in 2001. After decades of producing the same classic vitolas, Montecristo was finally giving us something different – and boy, did they deliver. The Double Corona LE 2001 wasn’t just another size addition to the lineup. It was a statement piece, a cigar that took everything we loved about the Montecristo profile and stretched it out over nearly two hours of pure smoking pleasure.
What makes this particular release special – and I mean genuinely special, not just marketing hype – is the timing. The turn of the millennium saw some exceptional tobacco harvests in the Vuelta Abajo region, and the torcedores at the Montecristo factory had access to leaf that was, frankly, sublime. This isn’t your everyday production cigar. Limited Editions come around once, and when they’re gone, they’re gone. Which explains why finding these gems over twenty years later feels like stumbling onto buried treasure in your buddy’s humidor.
What You’re Actually Getting Here
Montecristo needs little introduction if you’ve been in the Cuban cigar game for more than five minutes. The brand traces back to 1935, born in the H. Upmann factory and named after Alexandre Dumas’s famous novel. But knowing the brand history and actually understanding what this specific vitola brings to the table – those are two different things.
The Double Corona format gives Montecristo’s master blenders room to work. At this length and ring gauge, the blend has space to breathe, develop, and take you on a journey that the smaller vitolas simply can’t match. I’m probably biased here, but I think the Double Corona size is where premium Cuban tobacco really shows what it can do. You’re not rushing through the experience – you’re settling in for the long haul.
This cigar is for the experienced smoker. Not because it’s overly strong or challenging, but because you need to appreciate subtlety and evolution to really get what’s happening here. If you’re the type who lights up while doing yard work or checking emails, save this for someone who’ll give it proper attention. This demands your focus, a comfortable chair, and at least ninety minutes of uninterrupted time.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Double Corona |
| Length | 7.6 inches / 194 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 49 |
| Wrapper | Cuban Vuelta Abajo |
| Binder | Cuban Vuelta Abajo |
| Filler | Cuban Long Filler Blend |
| Strength | Medium to Full |
| Smoking Time | 90-120 minutes |
The Smoke: From First Light to Final Inch
Right off the cold draw, you know you’re dealing with quality tobacco. There’s this earthy sweetness that comes through – not candy sweet, but that natural tobacco sweetness that tells you the aging process has done its job. I pick up hints of cedar right away, which shouldn’t surprise anyone familiar with Montecristo’s signature profile.
The first third opens with classic Montecristo character, but there’s more weight to it than, say, a No. 2. That wrapper leaf from Vuelta Abajo brings this beautiful leathery note that sits underneath everything else. The draw is typically excellent – these rolled at a time when quality control at the factories was exceptional. You get medium-bodied smoke with touches of earth, a bit of that Cuban twang (you know the one I’m talking about), and smooth cedar notes that remind me why I fell in love with this brand in the first place.
As you move into the second third – and this is where it gets interesting – the strength builds. Not dramatically, but there’s a definite shift from medium toward the fuller end of the spectrum. Coffee notes start showing up, that dark roasted kind, not your morning latte situation. The spicy elements become more pronounced too. It’s peppery without being harsh, adding complexity without overwhelming the core flavors. The leather note I mentioned earlier? It intensifies here, becoming almost the dominant characteristic for a stretch.
Actually, scratch that – dominant isn’t quite right. It’s more like leather becomes the canvas that everything else plays against. The earth tones, the cedar, the coffee – they’re all dancing around this rich, supple leather foundation. If you retrohale during this middle section (and you should, assuming your sinuses can handle it), you’ll get waves of spice that add another dimension entirely.
The final third is where this cigar earns its reputation. Some Double Coronas fall apart toward the end – they get hot, bitter, or just lose their character. Not this one. The strength is full now, no question, but it remains smooth. The flavors concentrate without becoming harsh. That coffee note deepens, the cedar comes back stronger, and there’s this almost cocoa-like richness that appears in the last couple inches. The burn stays even right to the nub, and the ash – when you’re not nervously flicking it off – holds solid in inch-and-a-half segments.
Construction-wise, these Limited Editions were rolled with pride. The wrapper has an oily sheen even after two decades, the seams are invisible, and the cap cuts cleanly without unraveling. The burn line stays remarkably straight without constant correction. I genuinely don’t understand why more recent production doesn’t match this level of craftsmanship, but that’s a rant for another day.
How Does It Stack Up?
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montecristo Double Corona LE 2001 | Medium to Full | 90-120 minutes | Evening relaxation, special occasions |
| Montecristo No. 2 | Medium | 60-75 minutes | After dinner, everyday luxury |
| Partagás Lusitania | Full | 90-110 minutes | Experienced smokers, hearty meals |
Comparing this to the regular production No. 2 – probably Montecristo’s most famous vitola – the Double Corona is like the mature, more contemplative older brother. The No. 2 is fantastic, don’t get me wrong, but it’s brighter, more straightforward. This LE stretches out the experience and adds layers you simply don’t get in shorter formats. Against the Partagás Lusitania, which is another excellent Double Corona from Cuba, the Montecristo is noticeably smoother and more refined. The Partagás hits harder from the start and maintains that full strength throughout. If you want power, go Partagás. If you want elegance and complexity, you’re holding the right cigar.
What to Drink With It (And When to Light Up)
I’m drinking either aged rum or single malt scotch with this cigar. The rum pairing – something like a Havana Club 15 Year or Ron Zacapa 23 – plays beautifully with the earth and leather notes. The natural sweetness of aged rum complements without competing, and both the cigar and the rum have that similar aged-in-wood character that just makes sense together.
For scotch lovers, look for something from Speyside with some sherry cask influence. The Macallan 18 is probably overkill expense-wise – wait, no, if you’re smoking a twenty-year-old Limited Edition Cuban, maybe it’s not. A good Highland Park or Glenfiddich 18 works wonderfully too. That slight sweetness and dried fruit character in sherried scotch pairs perfectly with the coffee and cocoa notes in the final third.
Timing-wise, this is an evening cigar. Period. You’re not lighting this up at noon unless you’ve got nothing else to do all day and don’t mind being nicotine-buzzed by 2 PM. After a proper dinner – and I mean proper, not a sandwich – is ideal. Late evening on a weekend when you can really sink into it without checking your watch. Maybe during a poker game with friends who appreciate silence as much as conversation. Definitely not at a loud social gathering where you’re expected to be “on.” This cigar demands your attention and rewards it generously.
How should I store the Montecristo Double Corona LE 2001?
Keep it in your humidor at 65-68% humidity and around 65-68°F temperature. These older cigars have been aging for over twenty years already, so they’re fairly stable, but don’t let them dry out. If you’re planning to smoke it soon, a month of rest in your humidor after purchase is smart to let it acclimate to your storage conditions. I keep mine toward the bottom of my humidor where temperature stays most consistent.
Is this cigar still smoking well after all these years?
Assuming it’s been stored properly – absolutely. Cuban cigars in this size, with this quality of tobacco, age beautifully. The harsher edges smooth out, the flavors meld and deepen, and you get that characteristic aged Cuban character that you simply cannot rush. I’ve smoked these from various years of aging, and they hit their stride around the ten-year mark. At twenty-plus years, they’re spectacular.
What makes Limited Edition Montecristos different from regular production?
Limited Editions get special treatment – better tobacco selection, often from specific harvests, and extra aging before release. The LE 2001 was rolled with particularly well-aged leaf and produced in limited quantities for just one year. You’re not just getting a different size; you’re getting tobacco that was specifically chosen and prepared for this release. The care and attention is noticeably different from regular production lines.
I’m intermediate with cigars – is this too much for me?
Hmm, how do I put this. If you’ve been smoking Cuban cigars for a while and you’re comfortable with medium to full-bodied blends, you’ll be fine. The strength builds gradually, so it’s not going to knock you over if you’ve got some experience. But if you’re still mostly smoking Connecticut-wrapped mild cigars, maybe work up to this one. And definitely eat a proper meal first and have some sugar nearby just in case.
What’s the best way to cut and light this Double Corona?
Use a sharp guillotine cutter or a quality v-cut – your choice comes down to personal preference. I prefer a straight cut on larger ring gauges to maximize draw. For lighting, take your time. Toast the foot evenly with a butane torch or cedar spill, rotating slowly. Don’t rush it. A cigar this size needs thorough, even ignition or you’ll fight burn issues for the first twenty minutes. Once it’s going, resist the urge to puff too frequently. Let it rest between draws.
Can I age these further or should I smoke them now?
They’re already twenty-plus years old, so they’re well into their prime smoking window. That said, properly stored Cuban cigars can continue aging gracefully for decades. If you’ve got a box, smoking one now and saving others for another five or ten years would be an interesting experiment. But don’t feel like you need to wait – these are absolutely ready to enjoy right now. I’d smoke them before worrying about over-aging, which can happen eventually.
Why is this vitola not in regular Montecristo production?
That’s the nature of Limited Editions – they’re released once in special sizes and then they’re done. Habanos S.A. uses LEs to showcase unique vitolas and generate excitement. The Double Corona format exists in other Cuban brands’ regular lineups, but for Montecristo specifically, this was a one-time release. Which is part of what makes finding them now such a treat. You’re smoking a piece of cigar history that won’t be repeated.
Final Thoughts From the Humidor
The Montecristo Double Corona LE 2001 represents everything that makes Cuban Limited Editions worth seeking out. This isn’t just another size variation – it’s a carefully crafted expression of what Montecristo’s master blenders can achieve when given premium tobacco and a format that showcases it properly. The combination of excellent construction, complex flavor development, and that distinctive Montecristo elegance makes this a standout even among other high-end Cubans.
If you’ve got access to one of these, don’t let it sit in your humidor indefinitely waiting for the “perfect occasion.” That perfect occasion is any evening when you’ve got two hours, a comfortable chair, and the willingness to pay attention. Light it up, pour something worth sipping, and enjoy what limited edition craftsmanship really means. You won’t regret it.
