Description
The Montecristo That Changed Everything
Look, I’ve been smoking Cuban cigars since my first trip to Havana back in ’96, and I can count on one hand the number of times a new release has made me stop and rethink what I thought I knew about a brand. The Montecristo Linea 1935 Leyenda is one of those cigars. No joke – when Habanos S.A. announced this limited edition celebrating 80 years of Montecristo, I was skeptical. Another anniversary release? Another special edition? But here’s the thing – this isn’t just marketing. This is Montecristo reminding everyone why they’re still the benchmark.
What you’re about to read comes from multiple sessions with this cigar over the past year. I’ve smoked it in different settings, paired it with different drinks, and I’ve got opinions. Strong ones. Whether you’re a Montecristo purist wondering if this lives up to the name, or you’re trying to understand what makes a limited edition Habanos worth seeking out, I’m going to walk you through everything that matters.
What Makes the Linea 1935 Leyenda Actually Special
The Linea 1935 series – and honestly, calling it a “series” feels too corporate – was created to honor Montecristo’s founding year. But between you and me, Habanos releases anniversary cigars all the time. What separates the Leyenda from the crowd is the tobacco selection and that distinctive vitola. This isn’t just aged tobacco; we’re talking about leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region that have been aged specifically for this blend. The wrapper alone has this oily, almost burgundy sheen that you don’t see on your standard Montecristo No. 2.
Thing is, Montecristo built their reputation on consistency and that signature flavor profile – cedar, leather, that perfect medium body. The Leyenda takes that DNA and amplifies it. It’s fuller than what most people expect from the brand, richer in a way that reminds me more of the original pre-embargo Montecristos my mentor used to tell stories about. If you’re the type of smoker who appreciates a Montecristo Edmundo but wishes it had more complexity and a longer finish, the Leyenda is calling your name.
This is a cigar for the experienced smoker. I’m not gatekeeping here – smoke what you like – but if you’re still working your way through Cohiba Siglo IIs and Romeo y Julieta Short Churchills, save this one for later. The strength and flavor concentration demand attention and a developed palate. It’s the cigar I reach for when I have two hours to kill and I want to be reminded why Cuban tobacco is still the standard.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Leyenda (Double Robusto) |
| Length | 6.3 inches / 160 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 55 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban blend (Vuelta Abajo region) |
| Strength | Medium to Full |
| Smoking Time | 90-120 minutes |
The Experience: From First Light to Final Puff
Okay, so – the cold draw. This is where you get the first hint that you’re not dealing with a standard Montecristo. There’s this immediate sweetness, almost like dark chocolate mixed with cedar. Not that artificial chocolate flavor you get in some infused cigars – I’m talking about the subtle cocoa note that comes from properly aged tobacco. The wrapper smells incredible, that classic Habanos aroma of barnyard and earth, but cleaner somehow. More refined.
First third hits differently depending on how you toast it. I prefer a slow, even light – none of that torching the foot business – and when you do it right, the initial flavors are all about cream and toasted almonds. There’s a nuttiness that some Montecristo releases have, but here it’s backed by this underlying pepper that builds gradually. Not aggressive, just present. The retrohale in this section gives you white pepper and that signature Montecristo cedar. The construction? Flawless every time I’ve smoked one. The draw is perfect – not too loose, not tight – and the burn line stays even without any touch-ups. The ash holds solid for a good inch and a half, that classic light gray color that tells you the tobacco was properly fermented.
Second third is where things get interesting. And I know this sounds dramatic, but this is where the Leyenda separates itself from the regular production Montecristos. The creaminess from the first third gives way to these layers – coffee, definitely, that espresso note that’s almost bitter but not quite. There’s leather coming through, and the cedar intensifies. What surprised me – and I’ve smoked this cigar maybe eight or nine times now – is this subtle honey sweetness that appears about halfway through. It balances the strength, which by now is solidly medium-full. The pepper is more pronounced on the retrohale, but it’s complex pepper, not just heat. Think freshly cracked black pepper with some earthiness mixed in.
The final third? Real talk: this is where some fuller-bodied Cubans can get harsh or bitter. Not the Leyenda. It maintains balance right down to the nub. The flavors concentrate – you’re getting dark chocolate now, not just cocoa, and there’s this dried fruit character that I want to call raisin but that feels too simple. The coffee notes transition from espresso to more of a dark roast profile. Strength builds to full, but it’s never overwhelming. I’ve taken these down to an inch remaining without any harshness, which speaks to the quality of the filler tobacco. The aroma – if you’re smoking this around other people, they’re going to comment on it – is rich and slightly sweet, that classic Cuban cigar smell that makes non-smokers curious and smokers jealous.
How It Stacks Up Against the Competition
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montecristo Linea 1935 Leyenda | Medium-Full | 90-120 minutes | Special occasions, experienced smokers seeking complexity |
| Montecristo Edmundo | Medium | 60-75 minutes | Daily smoke, classic Montecristo profile in shorter format |
| Cohiba Siglo VI | Medium-Full | 90-110 minutes | Those who want prestige and refinement with slight sweetness |
| Partagás Serie D No. 4 | Full | 60-75 minutes | Bolder palate, earthier flavors, less refinement |
Here’s what I tell people who ask me how this compares to other premium Cubans: the Leyenda occupies this interesting space between the classic Montecristo elegance and the power you’d expect from something like a Bolivar or Partagás. It’s more refined than the earthy, stronger Cuban brands, but it’s got more oomph than your typical Montecristo No. 2 or Edmundo. If you’re a Cohiba smoker who finds those cigars sometimes too subtle, the Leyenda might be your new favorite. If you’re a Partagás smoker who occasionally wants something more refined without sacrificing strength, same story.
What to Drink With This Thing
I’ve paired the Leyenda with everything from coffee to cognac, and here’s what works best, at least for my palate. A good aged rum – I’m talking Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva or Zacapa 23 – complements the sweetness and doesn’t overpower the cigar’s complexity. The caramel and vanilla notes in those rums play beautifully with the honey and cocoa in the tobacco.
If you’re a whisky person, go with something sherried. A Glenfiddich 18 or Macallan 12 Sherry Oak brings out the dried fruit notes in the final third. I’ve also had success with bourbon – something like Woodford Reserve Double Oaked – though that’s more of a personal preference thing. The coffee pairing works surprisingly well if you’re smoking this in the morning or early afternoon. A Cuban coffee, naturally, or a good espresso. Skip the cream; you want the bitterness to contrast with the cigar’s natural sweetness.
Occasion-wise? This is a celebration cigar, a contemplative cigar, or a “I need two hours away from everything” cigar. I smoke these after significant accomplishments, or sometimes on a quiet Saturday afternoon when I can sit outside and just focus on the experience. It’s not a golf course cigar or a party cigar – it demands attention.
Everything Else You’re Probably Wondering
How does the Linea 1935 Leyenda differ from regular production Montecristos?
The Leyenda uses specially selected and aged tobaccos from the Vuelta Abajo region, resulting in a fuller, more complex flavor profile than standard Montecristo releases. It’s stronger – medium to full versus the typical medium body – and has more flavor layering with pronounced cocoa, coffee, and honey notes. The aging on these leaves makes a noticeable difference in smoothness and complexity. Think of it as Montecristo showing what they can do when they’re not constrained by maintaining consistency across hundreds of thousands of cigars annually.
Should I age the Leyenda further, or is it ready to smoke?
Here’s the thing – these come with significant age already on them, so they’re absolutely ready to smoke right away. That said, I’ve noticed that with another year or two of rest in a properly maintained humidor (65-68% humidity), the flavors integrate even more and that pepper mellows slightly. If you’re the patient type, put a few away and smoke one every six months to track the evolution. But if you light one up tonight? You’re not missing out. The tobacco quality is evident from day one.
What’s the best way to cut and light the Leyenda?
I use a straight cut every time – the draw is perfect with a standard guillotine cutter, and there’s no reason to get fancy with V-cuts or punches on a vitola this size. For lighting, take your time toasting the foot. Use a butane torch or wooden matches (never fluid lighters), and rotate the cigar slowly while holding the flame just below the foot. You want even ignition across the entire surface. Rush this step and you’ll fight burn issues for the first inch. The wrapper is oily enough that it lights easily, but the density of the filler means you need to be thorough.
Is the strength too much for someone who typically smokes medium-bodied cigars?
Not gonna lie, this one sneaks up on you. It starts medium and builds to medium-full, then full in the final third. If you’re comfortable with something like a Montecristo No. 2 or Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchills, you’ll handle the first half fine. The second half requires some experience managing fuller-bodied cigars. My advice? Smoke it after a meal, have something sweet to drink, and don’t rush it. The nicotine content is real. I’ve seen experienced smokers underestimate this one and feel it in the last third. But if you smoke Partagás or Bolivar regularly, you’ll be absolutely fine.
How should I store the Linea 1935 Leyenda in my humidor?
Keep these between 65-68% relative humidity and around 65-70°F temperature. The wrapper on these is fairly oily, so they can handle slightly lower humidity better than higher. I actually keep mine at 65% because I find the burn and flavor are optimal there – any higher and the draw gets a bit soft. If you’re mixing these with other cigars in your humidor, put them in the middle or lower section away from the humidification source. The vitola is thick enough that they won’t dry out quickly, but that also means they absorb humidity slowly, so maintain consistency in your humidor environment.
What time of day is best for smoking the Leyenda?
This is an evening cigar for me, almost exclusively. The strength and complexity are wasted in the morning when your palate isn’t fully awake, and the 90-120 minute smoking time means you need a chunk of uninterrupted time. I’ve smoked these in the late afternoon after a good lunch, and that works, but my sweet spot is after dinner, around 7 or 8 PM, when I can really focus on what I’m tasting. The tobacco quality deserves attention, not background smoking while you’re doing something else. Pour something good, sit somewhere comfortable, and give it the time it deserves.
Will the limited edition status make these hard to find in the future?
Yeah, absolutely. The Linea 1935 releases are produced in limited quantities – Habanos S.A. doesn’t release exact numbers, but these aren’t regular production and they won’t be made indefinitely. I’ve already noticed availability tightening compared to when they first released. If you’re on the fence about trying one or buying a box, I’d make that decision sooner rather than later. That said, these aren’t as insanely limited as some Regional Editions or Gran Reservas, so we’re not talking about them disappearing overnight. But in two or three years? Good luck finding them at anything close to current availability.
Final Thoughts From the Lounge
Look, I’ve probably oversold this cigar at this point, but here’s my honest take: the Montecristo Linea 1935 Leyenda represents what happens when a brand with Montecristo’s history and resources decides to create something special instead of just trading on their name. The tobacco quality is evident from first light to final puff. The complexity keeps you engaged for the full two hours. The construction is flawless – I haven’t had a single construction issue across multiple cigars. And that flavor profile, that progression from creamy and cedary to rich and full-bodied with coffee and cocoa notes, it’s exactly what I want from a premium Habanos.
If you’re serious about Cuban cigars, if you appreciate what proper aging and tobacco selection can accomplish, add the Leyenda to your list. Smoke one soon, maybe put a few away to age. Compare it to your favorite Montecristos and see what you think. I’d genuinely love to know if your experience matches mine, or if your palate picks up something I’m missing.
This is the kind of cigar that reminds me why I fell in love with Cuban tobacco in the first place – the artistry, the tradition, the pure smoking pleasure when everything comes together perfectly. The Linea 1935 Leyenda isn’t just another limited edition. It’s Montecristo at their best, and that’s saying something.
