Montecristo Open Eagle – Large Format Cuban Cigar

Description

Most smokers approach a large-format Cuban cigar expecting a heavy, nicotine-laden punch that demands a leather chair and a stiff drink to survive. The Montecristo Open Eagle flips that script entirely. It is the structural equivalent of a crisp white linen suit in a room full of heavy wool tuxedos. This cigar takes a massive 54 ring gauge format, which usually signals high intensity, and fills it with a blend so breezy and approachable that it feels engineered for a sunny patio rather than a dark boardroom. It offers the satisfying physical weight of a big cigar without the heavy room-spinning consequences.

The Smoking Experience

First Third: The sheer size of the Eagle can look intimidating if you judge it solely by the cover. At a 54 ring gauge, it fills the hand substantially and demands a wide cut. Once you toast the foot, you will notice the draw is significantly looser and airier than traditional Montecristos like the No. 2. The initial profile is surprisingly crisp and clean. You get immediate notes of fresh cedar and a distinct grassy quality, almost like green tea or raw hay. There is zero aggression here. No black pepper blast hits the back of your throat. Instead, a mild sweetness hovers on the palate, reminiscent of raw cane sugar. It produces billowing clouds of smoke right from the start, but the body remains light, letting you settle in without feeling rushed.

Mid-Section: As the burn line moves past the first inch and a half, the Geniales vitola starts to show its true purpose. The large diameter keeps the smoke cool, preventing the flavors from getting muddled or sharp even if you puff frequently. The grassy notes recede slightly, replaced by a dryer, woodier profile. You start tasting toasted almonds and a very specific light roast coffee flavor. It is not a heavy espresso shot; it is more like a creamy latte. A faint spice appears now, perhaps a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg, but it stays in the background and never fights for dominance. The ash holds on firmly, a dark grey stack that proves the construction quality is up to par with the brand’s reputation.

Final Third: Entering the last section, many large cigars turn bitter or hot, but the Eagle maintains its composure remarkably well. The flavors darken slightly, introducing a bit of leather and earth, but the strength never really climbs past a solid medium. It stays consistent and smooth. You might find a resurgence of that initial woodiness, now tasting more like aged oak than fresh cedar. The finish remains clean and relatively short. You can smoke this down to the nub while walking the back nine or sitting on a windy deck, and it never becomes a chore or a challenge to finish.

Flavor Profile

The Story Behind Montecristo

Montecristo is the yardstick by which all other Habanos brands are measured, founded back in 1935 by Alonso Menendez. The story goes that the torcedores (rollers) loved listening to the factory lector read Alexandre Dumas’s The Count of Montecristo while they worked, leading the founders to name the brand after the novel’s protagonist. While the classic “yellow band” line focuses on the traditional, slightly stronger Vuelta Abajo blends, the Open series launched in 2009 with a different mission. Habanos S.A. wanted to capture the outdoor smoker, the golfer, and the sailing enthusiast. They needed a blend that could compete with the fresh air and not overpower the smoker during activity, resulting in the green-banded “Open” series we see here.

Perfect Pairings

• Rum: Ron Zacapa 23 – The honeyed sweetness and viscosity of this Guatemalan rum cling perfectly to the dry cedar notes of the cigar without drowning out its mild body.
• Whiskey: Glenfiddich 21 – This scotch is finished in Caribbean rum casks, offering tropical fruit and vanilla notes that bridge the gap between the whiskey’s bite and the cigar’s creamy profile.
• Coffee: Turkish coffee – Since the cigar offers a light coffee flavor, pairing it with a potent, sludge-heavy Turkish coffee creates a fantastic texture contrast that wakes up the palate.

Ideal For

The Open Eagle is the ultimate “activity” cigar. It is designed for the golfer who wants a large format smoke that lasts a full nine holes but won’t mess up their swing with a nicotine buzz. It is also a fantastic choice for morning smokers who want a large cigar with their coffee, or for beginners who want to look the part with a big ring gauge stick but need a blend that treats them gently.