Montecristo No.5

Description

You ever have one of those mornings where the salt air hits your face just right, and you realize you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be? For me, that’s my birthday. It’s a tradition. I don’t want a cake, I don’t want a party, and I definitely don’t want to be reachable by phone. I just want to be on my old, slightly-too-loud fishing boat, the Sea Gypsy, about five miles off the coast where the water turns that deep, bruised purple.

This past year, the Atlantic was being a bit of a jerk. The swells were choppy, and the wind was whipping around the center console like it had a personal grudge. Now, I’m a man who loves a Double Corona as much as the next guy, but trying to nurse a seven-inch cigar in a fifteen-knot wind while waiting for a reel to scream is a fool’s errand. You’ll spend more time re-lighting it than smoking it, and by the end, it tastes like a campfire’s leftovers. I needed something compact. Something that could hold its own against the sea spray but wouldn’t take two hours to finish before the next big wave soaked me through.

I reached into my travel humidor, past the big Churchill’s and the chunky Robustos, and pulled out a slender, humble little stick. I’ve always said that size doesn’t dictate the soul of a smoke. That smoke? The Montecristo No. 5. It’s the smallest of the numbered series, but on a rocking boat with the sun finally breaking through the clouds, it felt like the most important thing in the world.

The Specs

First Impressions & Construction

I gotta say, there’s something about the Montecristo dress box that just feels right. It’s that iconic yellow and red, the crossed swords—it’s like seeing an old friend at the bar. The No. 5 is a “Perlas” vitola, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s a short, punchy little thing. At 102mm, it’s about the length of my palm. It’s not meant to be a marathon; it’s a sprint.

Holding it between my fingers while the boat swayed, I noticed the wrapper. It’s a Colorado shade—a nice, healthy reddish-brown. The grain is fine, almost smooth to the touch. It doesn’t look rugged or rustic; it looks intentional. I gave it a gentle squeeze, and it felt solid. No soft spots, no weird lumps. It’s handmade at the Perlas factory in Cuba, and you can tell the rollers there aren’t slacking just because it’s a smaller vitola. They treat it with the same respect they’d give a No. 2.

The pre-light draw was exactly what I expected from a Vuelta Abajo blend. I clipped the cap—carefully, because with a 40 ring gauge, you don’t want to be sloppy—and took a pull. It tasted like dry hay and a bit of that distinct Cuban tobacco twang. It wasn’t tight, which is always a relief with these smaller gauges. Sometimes they can feel like trying to suck a milkshake through a coffee stirrer, but this one had just the right amount of resistance. It felt like it was ready to work.

The First Third: The Wake-Up Call

I sparked it up using a torch lighter, keeping it low to avoid scorching the foot in the wind. The first few puffs were a wake-up call. I’ve heard people call this a “quick smoke,” but don’t let the size fool you into thinking it’s light. This thing comes out swinging. Right away, I got hit with a wave of rich coffee and baking spices. Think cinnamon, but not the candy kind—the real stuff you find in a kitchen cabinet.

The smoke output was surprisingly thick for such a little stick. It hung in the air for a second before the sea breeze whisked it away. There’s a definite cocoa note in there too, almost like a dark chocolate bar that isn’t too sweet. It’s a medium-bodied start, but it leans toward the fuller side of the spectrum. I was sitting there, rod in one hand, No. 5 in the other, and I realized I wasn’t even thinking about the choppy water anymore. I was just focused on that spice-and-cocoa dance on my tongue.

The Second Third: Settling into the Groove

As I moved into the middle of the cigar—which happens fairly quickly, given it’s only four inches long—the flavors started to mellow out and get a bit more “refined.” The initial punch of spice took a backseat to a very distinct leather and earth profile. This is the heart of the Vuelta Abajo tobacco. It’s got that “terroir” that people rave about. It feels grounded.

I also started picking up some creamy notes and a hint of floral sweetness. It’s a weird combination, I know—leather and flowers—but somehow it works. It’s like a well-worn leather chair in a room with a fresh bouquet. There was a bit of citrus zest on the finish, too, which kept things from getting too heavy. The burn was remarkably even, especially considering I was smoking it outdoors on a moving boat. I didn’t have to touch it up once. It just kept glowing, a little cherry of heat in the middle of the ocean.

The Final Third: The Dark Roast Finish

By the time I got down to the last inch or so, the No. 5 decided to show its teeth. The creaminess faded, replaced by a much darker, more intense profile. We’re talking dark roast coffee—the kind that’s been sitting on the burner a little too long, but in a good way. The pepper started to ramp up, too. I felt it in the back of my throat, a nice little tingle that reminded me this is a serious Cuban cigar.

I noticed some vanilla and cedar notes creeping in at the very end, which added a nice layer of complexity before it got too hot. Now, a word of advice: you gotta slow down with these. Because it’s a short, thin cigar, it can get hot if you’re puffing like a steam engine. I had to remind myself to take a breath, look at the horizon, and let the cigar rest for a minute between draws. When I did that, the flavors stayed clean. If I rushed it, it started to taste a bit charred. But if you treat it with patience, it rewards you right down to the nub.

The History and the Hype

You can’t talk about the No. 5 without talking about the Montecristo legacy. This brand started back in 1935, and for a long time, it was the gold standard. It’s actually responsible for about half of all Cuban exports worldwide at one point. That’s wild if you think about it. The No. 5 has been a mainstay since the beginning. It was part of that original numbered line that John Hunter—the British agent who basically made Montecristo famous—helped design.

I like the fact that I’m smoking something with that much history. It’s not a “new” trend. It’s a classic. They celebrated the brand’s 85th anniversary back in 2020, and the No. 5 is still exactly what it was meant to be: a consistent, high-quality, short smoke. It’s the kind of cigar that doesn’t need to shout to be heard. It just does its job.

Pairing Recommendations

Since it was my birthday and I was on the boat, I didn’t have a full bar at my disposal. But I did have a flask of aged Caribbean rum—nothing too fancy, just something with a bit of caramel sweetness. It was a solid pairing. The sweetness of the rum cut through the dark coffee and pepper notes of the final third beautifully.

If I were back at home on the patio, I’d probably go with a double espresso. The No. 5 has enough backbone to stand up to a strong coffee without getting lost. If you’re a beer drinker, I’d suggest a stout or a porter. Something with those chocolatey, roasted malts will play off the cocoa notes in the cigar perfectly. I’d stay away from light lagers or IPAs; the cigar will just bully them.

The Verdict

Look, the Montecristo No. 5 isn’t for everyone. If you’re the kind of person who wants a three-hour commitment and a ring gauge the size of a flashlight, you’re going to be disappointed. This is a 20 to 30-minute experience, tops. It’s for the busy professional, the guy on a fishing boat, or the person who wants a world-class smoke while they’re walking the dog.

But for what it is? It’s fantastic. It’s consistent, it’s flavorful, and it’s got that unmistakable Cuban soul. It’s a small package that packs a medium-full punch. I finished that nub just as the first reel started to zing—a nice four-pound snapper, as it turned out. Not a trophy fish, but a good one. And honestly, that’s how I feel about the No. 5. It might not be the biggest trophy in the humidor, but it’s a reliable, high-quality catch every single time.

If you haven’t tried one, or if you’ve been ignoring them because you think they’re too small, do yourself a favor. Grab a five-pack. Keep them for those moments when time is short but you still want to feel like a king for half an hour. You won’t regret it.

Final Thought: It’s a staple for a reason. Solid construction, classic flavors, and perfect for when the wind is blowing and the fish are biting.