Montecristo Línea 1935 Leyenda

Description

If you are looking for the biggest stick in the Montecristo lineup right now, the Leyenda is exactly where you land. I remember grabbing one of these for the first time when I had a full evening to kill because this cigar demands your complete attention and a good chunk of time. It feels substantial and heavy in the hand, signaling immediately that this is not a smoke you rush through during a lunch break. The presentation alone, with that distinct foot band and the oily, caramel-colored wrapper, tells you this is a step up from the standard No. 2 or No. 4 you might be used to.

The Smoking Experience

First Third: When you first light up a ring gauge of 55, you have to be patient with the flame to ensure the entire foot is glowing evenly. Once you get it going, the Leyenda surprises you. I expected a heavy punch immediately, but it starts off with a sophisticated, restrained character. The initial draws produce thick, heavy clouds of smoke that taste primarily of dry cedar and a faint, sweet vanilla. There is a slight vegetal tang in the first few minutes—think fresh moss or damp hay—but that disappears quickly. It settles into a very smooth, creamy profile that coats the mouth without drying it out. The draw on these is typically open and easy, so you do not have to fight it to get plenty of flavor.

Mid-Section: As you burn past the first inch and a half, the cigar really wakes up and finds its groove. The strength moves from a gentle mild-medium to a solid medium, and the flavors become significantly warmer. I started picking up distinct notes of roasted almonds and a sweetness that reminds me of honey on toast. The woody notes shift from dry cedar to a more aromatic white oak. This is the part of the smoke where the construction shines; the ash usually holds on like a rock, and the burn line tends to correct itself if it wavers. You might catch fleeting hints of citrus zest here, which does a great job of cutting through the building earthiness.

Final Third: By the time you remove the bands, the Leyenda decides to show its teeth. The creamy sweetness recedes, replaced by darker, more robust flavors. That milk chocolate note turns into bitter dark cocoa and roasted coffee beans. A sharp white pepper kick arrives on the retrohale, adding a spice that was completely absent in the first half. It finishes with a medium-full body that leaves a lasting impression on the palate. You have to manage your puff rate here; with such a large diameter, smoking too fast can make the smoke hot and bitter, so take your time to savor those final spicy, earthy notes.

Flavor Profile

The Story Behind Montecristo

Montecristo is arguably the most famous name in the Habanos portfolio, founded back in 1935. The brand was named after the Alexandre Dumas novel “The Count of Monte Cristo,” which was a favorite story read to the rollers on the factory floor while they worked. The Linea 1935 was introduced to honor that founding year, positioned as a premium tier above the standard production lines. What makes the Leyenda interesting is that it uses the Maravillas No. 2 vitola, a size previously seen in the Montecristo 80 Aniversario. It represents the modern shift toward thicker, heavier cigars while trying to maintain that classic Cuban flavor profile.

Perfect Pairings

• Rum: Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva – The heavy molasses and brown sugar sweetness of this Venezuelan rum perfectly matches the honey and almond notes found in the cigar’s second third.
• Whiskey: Glenfiddich 21 – Since this scotch is finished in Caribbean rum casks, it bridges the gap between spirit and smoke, enhancing the fruity citrus notes in the Leyenda without overpowering the wood.
• Coffee: Jamaican Blue Mountain – The mild acidity and lack of bitterness in this coffee help cleanse the palate between puffs, allowing the creamy cedar notes of the cigar to stand out clearly.

Ideal For

This is a cigar for the experienced enthusiast who enjoys a long, evolving session. It is physically large and contains a significant amount of tobacco, so the nicotine can sneak up on you by the end. Save this for a quiet evening after a steak dinner or a long conversation with friends where you do not have to watch the clock. It is not a beginner’s smoke, simply due to the time commitment and the complexity of the final third.