Description
Why the Leyenda Deserves Its Legendary Status
So I was at my usual spot last month – you know, that leather chair by the window where the light hits just right – when Ricardo slides a box across the table. “Try this,” he says with that grin. The Montecristo Leyenda. And I’ll be honest: I thought I knew everything about the Montecristo line. Been smoking them since my first trip to Cuba in ’96. But this vitola? It reminded me why I fell down this rabbit hole in the first place. You’re about to learn what makes this particular cigar stand apart from the regular production Montecristos, why it’s become my go-to for special occasions, and – this is important – whether it lives up to the hype that surrounds it. Spoiler: it does, but not for the reasons you might think.
What Makes This Stick Special
Montecristo released the Leyenda as part of their Linea 1935 collection, and right off the bat, you need to understand something: this isn’t just another vitola with a fancy name slapped on it. The brand’s been around since 1935 – hence the collection name – and they’ve built their reputation on consistency and that signature Montecristo flavor profile. Medium strength, balanced, approachable but never boring.
But the Leyenda? Thing is, they took that classic blueprint and dialed up the complexity. We’re talking tobaccos from Vuelta Abajo‘s best vegas, aged longer than standard production, with a wrapper that’s got this almost reddish tint in certain light. I remember the first time I held one – the oil on that wrapper caught the afternoon sun coming through the lounge window, and I actually said “damn” out loud. Carlos looked at me like I’d lost it.
This cigar targets the aficionado who’s been around the block. Not your first Cuban, probably not your fiftieth. If you’re still figuring out the difference between a Criollo and a Corojo wrapper, maybe work your way up to this one. But if you appreciate nuance and you’re ready for something that demands your attention? Yeah, this is your smoke.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Leyenda |
| Length | 5 7/8 inches / 149 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 55 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban Blend (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Strength | Medium to Medium-Full |
| Smoking Time | 90-110 minutes |
The Journey Through Each Third
Cold draw first – and this is where you start to get hints of what’s coming. There’s this subtle sweetness, almost like dried fruit, mixed with a cedar note that’s not overpowering. Some people get cocoa here. I get more of a honey-graham cracker thing, which I know sounds weird, but trust me on this.
Light it up properly – I’m talking an even toast, no scorching – and that first third opens with earth and leather. Classic Montecristo territory so far, right? But wait. About fifteen minutes in, there’s this transition. The earth backs off a bit and you get these baking spices coming through. Cinnamon? Maybe. Nutmeg? Close. It’s that warm spice cabinet smell, if that makes sense. The retrohale at this point is smooth – smoother than you’d expect from a 55 ring gauge Cuban. No harshness, just clean spice and a touch of white pepper.
Second third is where the Leyenda earns its name. The complexity ramps up considerably. You’ve still got that leather base note, but now there’s coffee joining the party – not espresso bitter, more like a really good medium roast with cream. And cedar. That beautiful Cuban cedar that reminds me of opening a fresh box. The burn line stays razor-sharp if you’re not puffing too fast. The ash? Solid gray-white, holding for nearly two inches before I tap it. Construction on these has been flawless in my experience – and I’ve gone through about eight of them at this point, so that’s not a fluke.
Final third – this is where some Cubans get harsh or one-dimensional. Not the Leyenda. It actually sweetens up a bit. That dried fruit note from the cold draw comes back, now mixing with dark chocolate and a subtle molasses character. The strength picks up here – you’ll feel it – but it never crosses into overwhelming territory. Smoke it down to the nub if you want. I usually do. The very end gets a little earthy and peppery, which I like, but some folks might want to put it down with an inch left. Your call.
How It Stacks Up Against Similar Smokes
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montecristo Leyenda | Medium-Full | 90-110 min | Special occasions, complex flavor seekers |
| Montecristo No. 2 | Medium | 60-80 min | Classic Monte experience, shorter sessions |
| Cohiba Siglo VI | Medium-Full | 90-120 min | Similar complexity, creamier profile |
Real talk: the Cohiba Siglo VI is probably the closest comparison in terms of smoking time and complexity level. But the Leyenda has more spice, less cream. If you prefer earthy complexity over buttery smoothness, the Leyenda wins. The No. 2 is there for reference – it’s the Montecristo most people know, but honestly, it’s a different animal entirely. Shorter, lighter, less demanding of your attention.
What to Drink With This Beast
I’ve paired the Leyenda with everything from coffee to rum to whisky, and my favorite – don’t judge me – is a quality aged rum. Something like Havana Club 15 Year or Zacapa 23. The rum’s sweetness plays beautifully with those spice notes in the second third, and the aged oak character complements the cigar’s cedar without competing with it.
That said, if you’re a whisky person, go with something sherried. A nice Glenfiddich 18 or even a good bourbon like Blanton’s works surprisingly well. The sweetness from the sherry casks or the corn mash bridges nicely to the Leyenda’s natural sweetness in the final third.
Coffee? Absolutely, especially in the morning – yeah, I smoke these with my morning coffee sometimes, sue me. A medium roast, nothing too acidic. The coffee amplifies the cocoa and leather notes without overwhelming your palate.
Best occasion? This is an after-dinner smoke. You’ve had a good meal, the sun’s setting, you’ve got ninety minutes with nothing pressing to do. That’s Leyenda time. I also love these during poker nights – the long smoking time means I’m not constantly relighting or reaching for another stick.
What does Leyenda mean and why is this cigar called that?
Leyenda translates to “legend” in Spanish, and honestly? It’s not just marketing fluff. This vitola was created as part of Montecristo’s premium Linea 1935 collection to celebrate the brand’s legendary status in the Cuban cigar world. The name fits – this is one of those cigars that makes you understand why people get obsessed with Cubans in the first place. It’s the kind of smoke that creates its own stories.
How does the Leyenda compare to other Montecristo vitolas?
The Leyenda sits at the top of the complexity ladder for Montecristo. If you know the No. 2 or the Edmundo, you know that classic Monte profile – balanced, medium strength, approachable. The Leyenda takes that foundation and builds on it with more age, better tobacco selection, and a larger ring gauge that allows for more complexity. It’s richer, spicier, and demands more of your attention. Not better necessarily, just different – more sophisticated, if I’m being honest.
Should I age these or smoke them fresh from the box?
Good question, and here’s my take after smoking them both ways: they’re excellent right out of the box if they’ve been properly stored. But – and this is a big but – give them six months to a year in your humidor and they really blossom. That spice mellows just slightly, the flavors integrate better, and you get this creamy undertone that’s not there when they’re younger. I bought a box last year, smoked three right away, and I’m sitting on the rest. The ones I’m smoking now at the one-year mark? Noticeably better. Not that the fresh ones were bad – they weren’t – but age rewards patience here.
What’s the ideal humidity level for storing Leyendas?
I keep mine at 65% RH and 65°F, which is lower than a lot of people recommend for Cubans. Why? Because that larger ring gauge benefits from slightly drier conditions – prevents that tight draw issue and makes the burn more consistent. Some folks go 67-68%, and that’s fine, but I’ve had better luck at 65%. They rest for at least two weeks after arrival before I touch them. Actually, scratch that – I usually can’t wait two weeks. But you should.
Can beginners smoke the Leyenda or is it too strong?
I’ll be straight with you: if you’re brand new to cigars, this probably isn’t where you want to start. Not because it’s too strong – it’s really only medium to medium-full – but because the complexity would be wasted. It’s like giving someone a 25-year-old single malt when they’ve never had whisky before. They won’t appreciate what makes it special. Smoke some regular production Montecristos first, get your palate trained, then come back to the Leyenda. You’ll be glad you waited.
How many Leyendas come in a box and how should I store them?
They come in boxes of 10, which is actually perfect because it lets you try a few and age the rest without committing to a full 25-count box. Store them in a quality humidor with good air circulation – don’t just stuff them in there with fifty other cigars. These deserve some breathing room. I keep mine in their original box inside my main humidor, which maintains the cedar contact and makes them easy to find when I’m ready for something special. Rotate the box every month or so if you’re aging them long-term.
What are the most common reviews saying about the Leyenda?
The reviews I’ve read – and the conversations I’ve had with other aficionados – consistently praise the construction and flavor complexity. Most people note the excellent burn and solid ash, which matches my experience. Some reviewers find it slightly milder than expected given the price point, but I think those folks might be smoking them too young or comparing them to full-bodied Nicaraguans, which isn’t fair. The handful of negative reviews usually mention availability issues or expectations that were too high. My take? The consensus is pretty clear – this is a top-tier Montecristo that delivers on its promises.
Final Thoughts From the Humidor
The Montecristo Leyenda isn’t an everyday smoke for me – it’s too special for that, and I’m honestly not sure my palate could appreciate it daily anyway. But when I want to remind myself why I love Cuban cigars, when I’ve got the time to really pay attention, or when I’m celebrating something worth celebrating? This is what I reach for. The complexity is there, the construction is solid, and that journey from earthy leather to sweet spice to chocolate-coffee richness never gets old. If you’ve been curious about the Linea 1935 collection or you’re looking for a Montecristo that’s a step above the regular production line, grab a box of these. Smoke a couple now, age the rest. You’ll thank me later.
