Description
The Montecristo Petit Edmundo: A Robust Little Powerhouse That Punches Way Above Its Size
Look, I’ve been smoking Cuban cigars since my first trip to Havana back in ’97, and I’ll be honest with you: when Habanos S.A. introduced the Petit Edmundo to the Montecristo lineup, I was skeptical. Another short smoke format? Really? But here’s the thing – this cigar made me eat my words. The Petit Edmundo isn’t just a “quick smoke” or a “golf course cigar” (though it works great for both). It’s a legitimate member of the Montecristo family that delivers the brand’s signature complexity in a compact, accessible format. If you’ve got 50 minutes to spare and want to experience what makes Montecristo one of the most respected names in Cuban tobacco, this little robusto extra is going to show you exactly that.
What you’re about to read isn’t some generic marketing fluff. I’m going to tell you exactly what this cigar tastes like, how it compares to its bigger siblings, and whether it deserves a spot in your humidor. No joke – I’ve probably smoked a hundred of these over the years, and I’ve got some strong opinions about where it fits in the Montecristo hierarchy.
Why the Petit Edmundo Deserves Your Attention
Montecristo. Just saying the name conjures up images of Cuban tobacco at its finest. Since 1935, this brand has been synonymous with quality, consistency, and that distinctive Vuelta Abajo terroir that makes Cuban cigars what they are. The Montecristo line has always been about balance – never too aggressive, never boring, just right in that sweet spot where complexity meets approachability.
The Petit Edmundo arrived on the scene in 2009 as part of Habanos S.A.’s push to offer more compact vitolas for modern smokers. And I know what some of you traditional Cuban cigar enthusiasts are thinking – “newer vitolas are just gimmicks.” But hear me out: this isn’t some rushed addition to capitalize on trends. The Petit Edmundo uses the same carefully selected tobacco from the Vuelta Abajo region that goes into every Montecristo. We’re talking wrapper, binder, and filler all sourced from Cuba’s premier tobacco-growing region.
Who’s this cigar for? Well, if you’re someone who appreciates medium to full-bodied smokes with depth but doesn’t always have 90 minutes for a Churchill, this is your cigar. It’s for the aficionado who wants genuine Cuban complexity without the time commitment. Thing is, it’s also an excellent introduction for someone stepping up from milder smokes – the strength builds gradually enough that you’re not getting slapped in the face, but there’s enough character to keep experienced smokers engaged.
The wrapper on these cigars has this beautiful colorado shade – not too dark, with a slight oily sheen that tells you it’s been properly aged. When you hold one, you immediately feel that it’s been rolled with care. The weight distribution is even, the cap is perfectly applied, and there’s this subtle barnyard aroma mixed with cedar that hits you before you even cut it.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Petit Edmundo (Robusto Extra) |
| Length | 4.3 inches / 110 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 52 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Filler | Cuban Blend (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Strength | Medium to Full |
| Smoking Time | 45-60 minutes |
The Smoking Experience: What You’re Actually Going to Taste
Okay, so let me walk you through what happens when you actually light one of these up. And I’m not gonna give you some generic “notes of leather and spice” nonsense. I’m talking about what I actually experience when I smoke a Petit Edmundo with at least six months of additional aging on it – because honestly, smoking these straight from the vendor is doing yourself a disservice.
The cold draw is typically perfect – maybe a 7 out of 10 on resistance. You’re getting this immediate hit of cedar, almost like opening a humidor that’s been seasoned with Spanish cedar for years. There’s a sweetness underneath that, kind of like raw honey mixed with dried fruit. Some people pick up cocoa on the cold draw; I get it sometimes, depends on the specific cigar and how it’s been stored.
First Third: Right off the light – and I mean within the first three or four puffs – you’re hit with this creamy cedar flavor that’s quintessentially Montecristo. It’s not harsh, it’s not overwhelming, it’s just there, confident and smooth. The retrohale (and you should absolutely be retrohaling these) brings out white pepper and this nutty character that reminds me of roasted almonds. The strength starts out mild to medium – totally manageable even on an empty stomach, though I wouldn’t recommend that. The burn is typically razor-sharp if you’ve stored them properly. The ash holds firm to about an inch, maybe a bit more, with this nice light gray color that tells you the tobacco is burning clean.
Here’s what gets me about the first third: there’s this underlying earthiness that’s present but not dominant. It’s like the cigar is showing you its foundation before it really opens up. Some Montecristos can taste a bit young or harsh in the first inch if they haven’t been aged enough, but the Petit Edmundo seems more forgiving in that regard. I think it’s because of the ring gauge – that 52 gives you enough tobacco for complexity without so much that it needs years to settle down.
Second Third: And this is where it gets interesting – actually, scratch that – this is where it gets REALLY good. The cigar transitions into this coffee-forward profile, and I’m not talking about generic coffee. It’s more like espresso with a hint of cocoa. Rich, slightly bitter in a good way, with this velvety texture to the smoke. The pepper from the first third mellows out but doesn’t disappear completely. It hangs around in the background, reminding you this is still a cigar with some backbone.
The strength picks up noticeably here. We’re solidly in medium-full territory now. Not aggressive, not gonna knock you on your butt, but you’re definitely aware you’re smoking a real Cuban cigar. The cedar note from the beginning is still there, but now it’s playing harmony instead of melody. There’s this new leather character that emerges – aged leather, like a well-worn jacket, not the harsh tannic leather you get from some cigars.
Real talk: if you’re the type who likes to smoke fast, slow down here. The second third rewards a slower pace. I’m talking maybe one draw per minute. Let the flavors develop between puffs. When I first started smoking these, I’d rush through them, and honestly, I was missing half the experience.
Final Third: No joke, some cigars fall apart in the final third. They get bitter, they get harsh, they get hot. The Petit Edmundo? It stays composed almost all the way to the nub. The flavors intensify but don’t turn acrid. That coffee note becomes almost chocolatey – think dark chocolate with 70% cocoa content. The spice comes back, but it’s a warm, rounded spice rather than sharp pepper. There’s this mineral quality that shows up, kind of like wet stone or earth after rain. I know that sounds pretentious, but I don’t know how else to describe it.
The strength continues to build to full-bodied territory. By the last inch, you’re definitely getting some nicotine. Not in a bad way – it’s not gonna make you dizzy if you’ve eaten properly and you’re not chain-smoking these. But you feel it. The retrohale in the final third gets pretty intense – lots of pepper, lots of spice, but if you’ve built up your palate, it’s incredibly satisfying.
Construction-wise, these have been remarkably consistent in my experience. I’ve had maybe one or two with draw issues out of probably a hundred cigars. The burn stays even if you’re not smoking in high wind. The ash gets a bit flaky in the final third, which is totally normal for this size – just don’t let it drop on your shirt at a wedding reception. Ask me how I know that.
How It Stacks Up Against Similar Smokes
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montecristo Petit Edmundo | Medium to Full | 45-60 minutes | Complex flavor in a short format; versatile timing |
| Montecristo No. 4 | Medium | 40-50 minutes | Classic medium-bodied smoke; more accessible strength |
| Partagás Serie D No. 4 | Full | 50-65 minutes | Earthier, more powerful; for experienced palates |
| Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill | Medium | 45-55 minutes | Milder alternative; less complexity but smoother |
Between you and me, the Petit Edmundo sits in this interesting middle ground. It’s fuller than a Montecristo No. 4 but not as aggressive as a Partagás D4. If the No. 4 is your everyday cigar and the D4 is your “I’m in the mood for something serious” cigar, the Petit Edmundo is your “I want the best of both worlds” option. It’s got enough depth to keep things interesting, but it’s not gonna overwhelm you if you’re having it with lunch.
What to Pair It With
I’ll be blunt: this cigar deserves a good pairing. Don’t waste it with a cheap beer or some overly sweet cocktail that’s gonna kill the flavors.
Coffee works beautifully with the Petit Edmundo, especially in the morning or early afternoon. I’m talking about a proper espresso or a Cuban coffee if you can get your hands on one. The coffee amplifies that cocoa and espresso note in the second third. It’s almost too perfect. A cappuccino works too, though the milk can coat your palate a bit – just be aware of that.
For spirits, you want something with enough character to stand up to the cigar without competing. A good aged rum is my go-to – something like a Havana Club Selección de Maestros or Zacapa 23. The sweetness of the rum complements the earthier notes in the tobacco. Whiskey works too – I particularly like it with a Highland single malt, something with a bit of smoke and honey. Avoid heavily peated Islay whiskies though; they’ll just fight with the cigar.
Actually, let me back up – if you’re more of a wine person, go with a full-bodied red. A Spanish Rioja or an Argentine Malbec. Something with enough tannins and body to handle the strength of the cigar. Stay away from whites or light reds; they’ll just get lost.
As for occasions? This is your late afternoon cigar. It’s perfect after a round of golf, or during a break in a long workday when you need 45 minutes to decompress. I’ve had these at outdoor weddings during cocktail hour, at poker nights with friends, on hotel balconies overlooking the ocean. The Petit Edmundo is versatile enough that it fits most situations where you’d smoke a cigar – just maybe not first thing in the morning unless you’re already acclimated to stronger smokes.
Storage and Aging Considerations
Here’s what I’ve learned through trial and error: these benefit from aging, but they’re not unsmokable young. I’ve had Petit Edmundos fresh (or as fresh as Cuban cigars get when they hit the market) and I’ve had them with five years on them. The difference is noticeable but not night and day.
Fresh, they’re a bit more forward with the pepper and spice. The flavors are all there but somewhat compressed together. Give them six months to a year in your humidor at around 65% humidity and 65-68°F, and they start to really blossom. The flavors separate and become more distinct. That cedar note becomes more refined. The coffee character deepens. The harshness that sometimes appears in the final third of young ones mellows out completely.
I’ve got a box from 2015 that I’m working through now, and honestly? They’re phenomenal. The wrapper has developed this slight plume (not mold – learn the difference), and the aroma is incredibly complex even before lighting up. But I’m not gonna tell you that you MUST age them for five years. That’s pretentious nonsense. Age them if you can, enjoy them if you can’t.
Storage-wise, treat them like any Cuban cigar. Keep your humidity stable – fluctuations are the enemy. I prefer the lower end of the humidity spectrum (62-65%) for these because it seems to help with the burn and concentrate the flavors. But that’s personal preference; I know plenty of people who swear by 69-70% and get great results.
Common Questions About the Montecristo Petit Edmundo
Is the Montecristo Petit Edmundo too strong for beginners?
Not gonna lie, it depends on what you mean by “beginner.” If you’re brand new to cigars and have only smoked mild Connecticut shade wrappers, then yeah, this might be a bit much for your first Cuban. But if you’ve been smoking for a few months and have tried some medium-bodied cigars, the Petit Edmundo is actually a great introduction to fuller Cuban profiles. The strength builds gradually rather than hitting you all at once, which gives your palate time to adjust. Just make sure you eat something first and don’t smoke it too fast. Oh, and maybe have it in the afternoon rather than first thing in the morning.
How does the Petit Edmundo compare to the regular Edmundo?
Okay, so the regular Edmundo is longer (5.3 inches versus 4.3) with the same 52 ring gauge. That extra inch gives you about 30-40 more minutes of smoking time. Flavor-wise, they’re from the same family, but the regular Edmundo has more room to develop and transition. The Petit Edmundo is like the concentrated version – you get the core Montecristo character without quite as much evolution. I actually prefer the Petit Edmundo for everyday smoking because I don’t always have two hours to dedicate to a cigar. But if I’m settling in for the evening with nothing else to do, I’ll reach for the regular Edmundo. They’re both excellent; it really comes down to how much time you’ve got.
What’s the ideal humidity level for storing Petit Edmundos?
I keep mine at 62-65% humidity, which is on the lower end of what most people recommend. Here’s the thing – I’ve found that at higher humidity levels (like 69-70%), these can smoke a bit wet and the burn suffers. At 62-65%, they burn beautifully and the flavors seem more concentrated. But I know aficionados who swear by 68-70% and get great results, so there’s definitely some personal preference involved. Temperature matters too – try to keep it between 65-68°F. The key is stability. Don’t let your humidor swing between 60% and 75% – that’ll cause way more problems than whether you’re at 65% or 70%.
Are these considered limited edition cigars?
No, the Petit Edmundo is a regular production cigar, not a limited edition. Habanos S.A. added it to the permanent Montecristo lineup in 2009, and it’s been in regular production since then. That’s actually one of the things I like about it – you don’t have to hunt for it or pay inflated prices like you would for an actual limited edition. Now, availability can vary depending on where you are and what’s shipping when, but it’s not discontinued or limited. If your regular source is out, they’ll get more eventually. Don’t confuse the Petit Edmundo with some of the actual Montecristo limited editions from various years – those are different cigars entirely with special band designs and limited production runs.
How much aging do these need before smoking?
Look, I’m not one of those people who tells you that you MUST age every Cuban cigar for five years before touching it. That’s snob territory. The Petit Edmundo is actually smokable pretty much when you get it, assuming it’s been stored properly during shipping. That said, they do benefit from some rest time in your humidor. Give them at least a month to recover from shipping stress and acclimate to your storage conditions. Six months to a year makes a noticeable difference – the flavors integrate better and any rough edges smooth out. I’ve got some from 2015 that are incredible, but I’ve also enjoyed plenty of them with just six months of age. If you’re impatient (and who isn’t sometimes?), smoke one fresh, then smoke another six months later from the same box. You’ll taste the difference, and then you can decide how much aging matters to you personally.
What time of day is best for smoking a Petit Edmundo?
I typically reach for these in the afternoon or early evening. The strength builds to medium-full, which is a bit much for me first thing in the morning on an empty stomach – though I know some people who have no problem with that. Late afternoon is perfect, maybe around 3 or 4 PM after lunch has settled. They’re also great after dinner, though by then I sometimes want something even fuller like a Partagás. The nice thing about the Petit Edmundo’s size is that it gives you flexibility. You can smoke it during a lunch break if you work somewhere that allows it (lucky you), or you can have it in the evening without committing to a 90-minute smoke session. I’ve had them at outdoor barbecues, at poker games, during fishing trips – pretty much any casual setting where you’ve got 45-60 minutes works perfectly.
Do Petit Edmundos need to be kept in a cedar-lined humidor?
They don’t NEED cedar lining, but it sure doesn’t hurt. Spanish cedar helps regulate humidity and adds that classic cigar aroma that enhances the whole experience. I keep mine in a traditional cedar-lined humidor, and I think it contributes to the overall aging process in a subtle way. That said, I’ve also stored Cuban cigars in acrylic humidors and even tupperdors (yeah, I said it – plastic containers with Boveda packs work great) with excellent results. The most important factors are stable humidity and temperature, not whether you’ve got fancy Spanish cedar. If you’re just starting out and you’re storing them in a quality acrylic or plastic setup with proper humidity control, your Petit Edmundos will be just fine. The cedar is a nice touch, but it’s not make-or-break.
The Verdict on This Underrated Gem
I genuinely believe the Petit Edmundo is one of the most underrated cigars in the Montecristo lineup. It doesn’t get the attention that the No. 2 or No. 4 get, probably because it’s a relatively newer addition and people are creatures of habit. But this is a cigar that delivers authentic Montecristo character – that perfect balance of complexity and refinement – in a format that fits modern smoking schedules.
The flavor progression from cedary and creamy to coffee-forward with leather and spice shows you what Cuban tobacco is capable of when it’s blended and aged properly. The construction is consistently solid. The strength level hits that sweet spot where it’s engaging without being overwhelming. And the 45-60 minute smoking time makes it practical for situations where you want a serious cigar experience but don’t have half your afternoon to dedicate to it.
Is it perfect? Nothing’s perfect. Some individual cigars smoke better than others – that’s the nature of handmade tobacco products. And yeah, if you smoke them too young or store them improperly, they’re not gonna show you their best side. But when everything comes together – proper aging, correct storage, the right pairing, a relaxed pace – the Petit Edmundo is legitimately excellent.
If you’re building a Cuban cigar collection or trying to figure out what to stock in your humidor for regular rotation, the Montecristo Petit Edmundo deserves serious consideration. It’s versatile enough to be your everyday cigar, special enough to break out for occasions, and consistent enough that you’re rarely disappointed. Add a box to your humidor, let them rest for a few months, and then work your way through them slowly. I think you’ll find that this little robusto extra becomes one of your regular reaches.
And if you’re still on the fence, just grab a five-pack and see for yourself. Light one up on a quiet afternoon with a good coffee or a glass of aged rum, give it your full attention for an hour, and let the cigar speak for itself. That’s really the only way to know if it’s for you.
