Description
When Montecristo Decided to Break Its Own Rules
I still remember the first time someone handed me a Montecristo Open Master. It was 2009 – maybe 2010? – and I was skeptical. Real talk: when Montecristo launched the Línea Abierta (Open Line), I thought they’d lost their minds. The most traditional marca in Cuba suddenly making cigars specifically for outdoor smoking? Shorter formats, open draw, milder blend? Seemed like a cash grab. Then I lit up the Open Master. And man, I had to eat my words – which I did happily, with about an inch of perfect ash balanced on the end of this beauty.
The Open Master isn’t your grandfather’s Montecristo. It’s what happens when the blenders at El Laguito take everything they know about tobacco and ask themselves: what if we made something for the modern aficionado who doesn’t always have two hours to dedicate to a smoke? The result is a cigar that respects your time without compromising on what makes a Cuban cigar worth lighting in the first place.
What Makes the Open Master Different
The Línea Abierta was Montecristo’s answer to a question nobody asked but everyone needed answered. Since 1935, Montecristo has been synonymous with medium-bodied excellence, with the No. 2 and No. 4 dominating humidors worldwide. But times change. People smoke on patios now, at golf courses, during quick breaks between meetings. The traditional Montecristo vitolas – wonderful as they are – demand your full attention and a solid chunk of your afternoon.
Enter the Open Master in 2009, joining its siblings in the Abierta line. This vitola was designed from the ground up for a different smoking experience. The blend uses tobacco from the Vuelta Abajo region – no compromises there – but the proportions are adjusted to create a more accessible, slightly milder profile than the classic Montecristos. And before you think “milder” means “boring,” hold that thought. I’m probably biased here, but I think this cigar proves you don’t need to knock someone over with strength to create complexity.
The target smoker? You could be a seasoned aficionado looking for an exceptional daytime smoke, or someone relatively new to Cubans who wants to understand what Montecristo is about without jumping into the deep end. My buddy Richard – twenty years smoking Cubans – keeps a box of these specifically for mornings on his boat. I keep them for when I want something refined but not demanding.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Open Master |
| Length | 5.1 inches / 130 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 50 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban blend (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Strength | Medium |
| Smoking Time | 45-60 minutes |
The Smoke: What Actually Happens When You Light One
The wrapper on these is something else. Colorado claro, smooth as butter, with just enough tooth to let you know it’s not machine-made. I’ve gone through probably – what, fifteen boxes over the years? – and the construction is consistently excellent. Firm but not hard, with a perfect pre-light draw that gives you hints of cedar and hay.
First third hits you with cream and nuts. Not the aggressive, in-your-face pepper you get from some Cubans – this is refined. There’s this underlying sweetness, almost like honey, that shows up right away. The cedar notes are there, absolutely, but they’re playing backup to something more delicate. White pepper on the retrohale, but gentle. If you’ve ever had a Montecristo No. 4, you’ll recognize the DNA, but this is… softer isn’t the right word. More approachable? Yeah, that’s it.
Around the halfway point – and the burn on these is razor-sharp, by the way, barely needs a touchup – the profile shifts. The creaminess recedes a bit, and you start getting leather and earth. Not heavy, peaty earth like some Bolivars, but more like… hmm, how do I put this… like fresh soil in a garden after rain. There’s still sweetness underneath, maybe some coffee notes creeping in. The smoke production is generous without being overwhelming, and the ash holds for a solid inch and a half before dropping into my ashtray. I think it was at a lounge in Tampa where I watched the ash hold for almost two inches, though I might be remembering that wrong.
Final third is where it gets interesting – speaking of which, I remember one review calling this cigar “one-dimensional” and I genuinely don’t understand what they were smoking. The strength picks up just enough to remind you this is still a Montecristo, not some mild Connecticut. The coffee notes become more pronounced, almost espresso-like, with dark chocolate joining the party. That cedar from the beginning? It comes back, but now it’s richer, more refined. The finish is long and satisfying, with just a touch of spice that lingers.
Construction-wise, these are textbook. The burn is even, the draw is perfect – not too loose, not too tight, just right in that sweet spot where you’re getting full flavor without working for it. And that’s kind of the whole point of the Abierta line, right? Easy smoking without sacrificing quality.
How Does It Stack Up?
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montecristo Open Master | Medium | 45-60 minutes | Daytime smoking, outdoor settings, everyday excellence |
| Montecristo No. 4 | Medium-Full | 40-50 minutes | Traditional experience, post-dinner, special occasions |
| H. Upmann Half Corona | Medium-Light | 30-40 minutes | Quick smokes, morning coffee, beginners |
| Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchill | Medium | 60-75 minutes | Relaxed sessions, flavor exploration, seasoned smokers |
What to Drink With It (and When to Smoke It)
This is a morning to early afternoon cigar for me, though I won’t judge you for lighting one whenever. The medium body and refined flavors make it perfect with coffee – and I mean good coffee, not gas station swill. A Cuban espresso if you’re feeling thematic, or a smooth pour-over that won’t fight with the tobacco.
For something stronger, try a light rum. Havana Club 7 Year is my go-to pairing – the caramel and vanilla notes play beautifully with that underlying sweetness in the cigar. Actually, scratch that – if you can find it, Ron Santiago de Cuba 11 Year is even better, though that might be hard to track down depending on where you are. A smooth bourbon works too; I’ve had great success with Maker’s Mark or anything with a wheated mash bill that won’t overpower the smoke.
Occasion-wise? Golf course, patio, beach, anywhere you’re outdoors and want something special that won’t take all day. I’ve smoked these at backyard barbecues, on fishing trips, during Sunday morning reading sessions. They’re versatile in a way that the bigger Montecristo vitolas just aren’t.
Is the Montecristo Open Master a good cigar for beginners?
Absolutely, and I recommend it often for people new to Cuban cigars. The medium strength won’t overwhelm you, the smoking time is manageable, and the flavor profile is complex enough to be interesting without being challenging. Plus, the construction is so consistent that you’re unlikely to have a bad experience due to quality issues. It’s like a masterclass in what Cuban tobacco can do without throwing you in the deep end.
How does the Open Master compare to the classic Montecristo No. 2 or No. 4?
The Open Master is noticeably milder and more approachable than both. The No. 2 and No. 4 have more strength and intensity – they’re the cigars that built Montecristo’s reputation. The Open Master shares the same refined character and quality tobacco, but it’s designed for a different purpose: easier smoking in less time. Think of it as Montecristo’s answer to modern smoking habits. Not better or worse, just different. I keep both in my humidor for different occasions.
What’s the ideal humidity level for storing Open Master cigars?
I keep mine at 65-67% relative humidity, which is pretty standard for Cuban cigars. Some people go higher, but I find that 65-67% gives you the best draw and flavor development. Too dry and you lose complexity; too wet and the draw gets tight and the burn can be problematic. And for the love of all that’s holy, let them rest after shipping. Give them at least two weeks in your humidor to acclimate before smoking.
Can I age Montecristo Open Masters, or should I smoke them young?
You can absolutely age them, though they’re designed to be enjoyable right away – that’s part of the Abierta concept. I’ve smoked fresh ones and five-year-old ones, and honestly? Both are excellent. Fresh, you get more brightness and that honey sweetness really pops. With age, they mellow out even more and develop deeper, earthier notes. If you’ve got the patience and humidor space, buy a box and smoke one every six months to see how they evolve. But don’t feel like you need to wait years to enjoy them.
Why is it called the “Open” line anyway?
The name refers to the “open draw” – these cigars are deliberately rolled to have an easier, more effortless draw than traditional Montecristos. It’s part of the design philosophy for outdoor smoking where you want plenty of smoke production without effort. Some old-school aficionados complained about it when the line launched, saying it made them too mild or easy. I think those people are missing the point entirely. Not every cigar needs to be a two-hour meditation session. Sometimes you just want something excellent that doesn’t demand your entire afternoon.
Are there fake Montecristo Open Masters on the market?
Unfortunately, yes – Montecristo is one of the most counterfeited Cuban brands. If you’re buying online, stick with reputable sources and authorized dealers. Check the Habanos authentication features: the holographic seal, the barcode on the box, the quality of printing. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. I learned this lesson the hard way back in the early 2000s with some “bargain” Montecristos that turned out to be garbage wrapped in brown paper. When you order from legitimate sources, you’re getting the real deal – and trust me, these are worth getting right.
What’s the best time of year to smoke these?
I reach for Open Masters most often in spring and summer, but honestly, they’re great year-round. The medium body makes them perfect for warmer weather when heavier cigars can be too much. That said, I’ve enjoyed plenty on cool autumn evenings too. The shorter smoking time means you’re not standing outside freezing for ninety minutes in winter. They’re just incredibly versatile – one of those cigars that fits almost any situation where you have 45 minutes to an hour.
Final Thoughts: Should You Order a Box?
I’ll be blunt: the Montecristo Open Master is one of the most underrated cigars in the current Cuban lineup. It doesn’t get the attention of the No. 2 or the legendary status of the Edmundo, but it absolutely deserves a place in any serious aficionado’s humidor. The quality is there, the flavor profile is refined and engaging, and the smoking experience is consistently excellent.
This is the cigar I hand to friends who say they “don’t really get” Cuban cigars – and it converts them every time. It’s also the cigar I smoke most frequently myself when I want something special but don’t want to commit to a two-hour session. Whether you’re new to Cubans or you’ve been smoking them since the 90s like me, the Open Master delivers.
Order a fiver if you’re cautious, but honestly? Get the box. These smoke beautifully fresh, they age gracefully if you have the patience, and at about an hour each, you’ll go through them faster than you think. Just make sure you’re getting authentic Cuban stock from a reliable source, and you’ll understand why I keep coming back to these year after year.
