Description
Why the Montecristo Supremos Deserves More Respect Than It Gets
Look, I’ve been smoking Cuban cigars since my first trip to Havana back in ’96, and here’s something that still bugs me: everyone obsesses over the Montecristo No. 2, but the Supremos? Criminally underrated. This isn’t some hidden gem that nobody knows about – it’s been in the lineup since the 70s – but I genuinely don’t understand why more aficionados don’t talk about it. Maybe it’s the size, maybe it’s just overshadowed by its flashier siblings, but this cigar has quietly been one of the most reliable smokes in the Montecristo range for decades. In this guide, I’m going to walk you through everything that makes the Supremos special – the flavor profile, how it stacks up against similar vitolas, and why this particular format might just be perfect for your rotation. Between you and me, after you try one properly aged, you might find yourself reaching for it more than the classics.
What Makes the Montecristo Supremos Stand Out
Montecristo needs no introduction, right? Since 1935, this brand has been synonymous with Cuban excellence – the benchmark by which other habanos are measured. But here’s the thing about the Supremos: it occupies this interesting middle ground in the portfolio. At 5.5 inches with a 48 ring gauge, it’s not trying to be a quick smoke like the No. 4, and it’s not demanding the time commitment of a Churchill. It’s that Goldilocks zone – just right for when you have an hour to ninety minutes and want something substantial.
The Supremos showcases everything that makes Montecristo legendary. We’re talking premium Vuelta Abajo tobacco from Cuba’s Pinar del Río region – the same soil that’s been producing world-class wrapper, binder, and filler leaves for generations. The construction is what you’d expect from Habanos S.A.: flawless triple-cap, smooth wrapper with just enough oil to catch the light, and that signature earthy aroma that hits you the moment you open the box. I remember the first time I tried one – it was at a lounge in Miami, probably 2005 or 2006 – and what struck me was how balanced it felt. Not too aggressive, not boring. Just confident.
This cigar is perfect for the intermediate to advanced smoker who appreciates classic Cuban profiles without needing bells and whistles. If you’re someone who values consistency, craftsmanship, and that traditional Montecristo character, the Supremos delivers every single time. No joke, I’ve probably smoked a hundred of these over the years, and the quality control is remarkably tight.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Supremos |
| Length | 5.5 inches / 140 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 48 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban blend from Vuelta Abajo region |
| Strength | Medium to Medium-Full |
| Smoking Time | 60-90 minutes |
The Smoking Experience: A Journey Through Three Acts
Okay, so let’s talk about what actually happens when you light one of these up. And I mean really light it up properly – not rushing through it like some gas station cigar.
The cold draw on a well-humidified Supremos gives you this immediate hit of cedar and earth. It’s concentrated but not tight – just the right amount of resistance. Some cigars smell better than they taste, but this one delivers on the promise. Once you toast the foot and get it going, that first third comes alive with classic Montecristo characteristics: earthy, woody notes with hints of coffee bean and a touch of white pepper on the retrohale. The pepper isn’t aggressive – it’s more of an accent than the main event. What really gets me is the creaminess that develops after the first half inch. It’s subtle, but it rounds out those earthier tones beautifully. The burn line stays razor-sharp if you’re not puffing like a locomotive, and the ash holds firm for a good inch and a half before you need to tap it.
Here’s where it gets interesting – the second third. This is where the Supremos shows its complexity. The coffee notes deepen, becoming more espresso-like, and you start picking up some leather and maybe a hint of cocoa. Not chocolate bar cocoa, but more like raw cacao with some bitterness to it. The strength builds gradually – you feel it, but it’s not punching you in the face. I’d call it a solid medium-plus by this point. The wrapper’s natural sweetness becomes more apparent too, especially if you’re paying attention to the finish between puffs. That Vuelta Abajo tobacco really shines here. The construction remains flawless – even burn, cool smoke, perfect draw. This is what decades of cigar-making expertise looks like.
The final third is where some cigars fall apart, but not this one. Actually, scratch that – occasionally you’ll get one that gets a bit harsh if you smoke it too fast, but that’s user error, not the cigar’s fault. When smoked properly, the last portion intensifies everything that came before. The earth and coffee dominate, with some pleasant spicy notes coming through. It never goes bitter on me, which speaks to the quality of the filler blend. You can smoke it right down to the nub if you want, though I usually let it rest with about an inch left. The retrohale at this stage is full of cedar and that characteristic Cuban tobacco funkiness – in the best way possible.
Thing is, the Supremos doesn’t try to wow you with wild flavor transitions or surprising twists. It’s a straight shooter. It knows what it is, and it does that one thing exceptionally well: delivering a refined, balanced, classic Cuban smoking experience with enough complexity to keep your attention for the full hour-plus.
How It Compares to Similar Cigars
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montecristo Supremos | Medium to Medium-Full | 60-90 minutes | Classic Cuban profile lovers; afternoon smoke |
| Partagás Serie D No. 4 | Medium-Full to Full | 50-70 minutes | Those wanting more punch; after dinner |
| Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No. 2 | Mild to Medium | 60-75 minutes | Smoother preference; morning or early afternoon |
| H. Upmann Magnum 48 | Medium | 55-75 minutes | Lighter Cuban taste; beginners to Cuban cigars |
I’ll be honest – if you’re choosing between the Supremos and a Partagás Serie D No. 4, you’re really deciding how much power you want. The Partagás hits harder and faster. The Supremos is more refined, more patient. Both are excellent, just different moods. The Romeo y Julieta Cedros is milder and creamier if the Montecristo feels too robust for you. And the H. Upmann Magnum 48 is probably the closest comparison in terms of size and smoking time, but it’s definitely a notch lighter in strength and flavor intensity.
Perfect Pairings and Occasions
Real talk: the Supremos is versatile enough to work with quite a few different drinks, but some combinations just elevate the whole experience. My go-to pairing? A good aged rum – something like Havana Club 7 Year or Ron Zacapa 23. The rum’s sweetness and vanilla notes play beautifully against the cigar’s earthiness and coffee tones. If you’re more of a whiskey person, try it with a smoky Islay Scotch – the peat and the tobacco become best friends. Laphroaig Quarter Cask is fantastic with this.
Coffee works too, especially if you’re smoking in the afternoon. A strong Cuban coffee or a well-pulled espresso mirrors those roasted flavors in the cigar. And I know some aficionados will disagree with me here, but I actually enjoy this with a craft stout beer – something with chocolate and coffee notes, around 8-10% ABV. The richness complements the smoke surprisingly well.
As for occasions? This is your Saturday afternoon cigar. You’ve finished your errands, the sun’s at that perfect angle, and you’ve got time to actually enjoy it without rushing. It’s also excellent for golf – you’ll finish it by the back nine if you pace yourself. Not really a quick morning smoke unless you’ve got a very leisurely morning, and it’s maybe a touch light for a dedicated after-dinner cigar if you’ve had a heavy meal. Late afternoon, early evening – that’s its sweet spot.
Storage and Aging Considerations
Here’s something important that doesn’t get talked about enough with Supremos: these benefit significantly from aging. And I mean really benefit. A fresh box straight from Cuba? It’s good, sure, but give it two to three years at proper humidity (65-70% RH, around 65-68°F), and the transformation is remarkable. The flavors integrate, that youthful harshness mellows out completely, and this honeyed sweetness emerges that wasn’t there before.
I’ve got a box from 2018 that I’ve been working through, and honestly? They’re smoking better now than they did in 2020. The cedar from the box adds this extra layer of complexity too – don’t underestimate the importance of leaving them in the original cedar packaging. Some people transfer all their cigars to their main humidor, but with Montecristos especially, that cedar interaction is part of the aging magic.
If you’re buying these to smoke right away, that’s fine – they’re perfectly enjoyable young. But if you have the patience, put a box away for a couple years. You won’t regret it. And vintage Supremos from the 90s or early 2000s? If you ever get the chance – and I know this sounds dramatic, but – they’re transcendent. The profile becomes more refined, more nuanced, with this incredible smoothness.
Common Questions About Montecristo Supremos
What strength level is the Montecristo Supremos?
The Supremos sits in the medium to medium-full range – stronger than a Montecristo No. 4 but more approachable than the beefier vitolas like the Montecristo A. It builds gradually throughout the smoke, starting medium and finishing closer to medium-full. If you’re comfortable with most Cuban cigars, the strength won’t intimidate you, but complete beginners might want to work up to it. Perfect middle ground, really.
How long does it take to smoke a Montecristo Supremos?
Plan for 60 to 90 minutes depending on your smoking pace. I usually clock in around 75 minutes with a relaxed cadence – not rushing, but not letting it go out either. If you’re a slower, more contemplative smoker, you could stretch it to two hours, but honestly past 90 minutes you risk it getting bitter. This isn’t a quick smoke, so make sure you’ve got the time to dedicate to it properly.
Should I age Montecristo Supremos or smoke them fresh?
Both work, but aging improves them significantly. Fresh, they’re good – earthy, robust, classic Montecristo. Give them two to three years in a properly maintained humidor, and they become exceptional. The flavors meld together, harshness disappears, and this honeyed complexity emerges. If you can afford to buy a box and forget about it for a while, do it. Your future self will thank you. But if you’re impatient like I used to be, smoking them fresh is perfectly fine too.
What flavors can I expect from a Montecristo Supremos?
The core profile is earth, cedar, and coffee – classic Montecristo DNA. You’ll get white pepper on the retrohale, especially in the first third, and some leather notes developing in the middle section. There’s a subtle creaminess that rounds everything out, and well-aged examples show hints of cocoa and honey. It’s not a flavor bomb with wild transitions – it’s refined and balanced throughout. Think traditional Cuban character, done exceptionally well.
How does the Supremos compare to the Montecristo No. 2?
The No. 2 is more concentrated and intense because of that torpedo shape – the tapered head focuses the smoke and amplifies the flavors. The Supremos is more laid-back and approachable, with a broader, more consistent draw throughout. Both share that classic Montecristo profile, but the No. 2 is bolder and demands more attention. The Supremos is easier to pair with drinks and more forgiving if you’re multitasking. I reach for the No. 2 when I want an event; I reach for the Supremos when I want a damn good cigar without the ceremony.
Is the Montecristo Supremos good for beginners to Cuban cigars?
It’s borderline. If you’ve smoked medium-bodied cigars before and want to explore Cubans, yes – this is a great introduction to the Montecristo profile without overwhelming your palate. But if you’re completely new to cigars in general, start with something milder like a Romeo y Julieta or H. Upmann first. The Supremos won’t knock you down, but it’s got enough strength and complexity that complete novices might not appreciate it fully. You want some experience under your belt to really get what this cigar is doing.
What’s the best way to cut and light a Montecristo Supremos?
Use a sharp guillotine cutter and take off just the cap – about 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch maximum. You want to cut below the cap line but not into the body of the wrapper. For lighting, I prefer a torch lighter – toast the foot evenly by holding the flame about an inch away and rotating the cigar until the entire surface is glowing. Then take your first puffs slowly while continuing to apply heat. Don’t char it or blast it with flame directly. Patience here pays off with an even burn for the entire smoke. And please, no candles or zippos – you’ll taste the fuel.
Why You Should Add Supremos to Your Rotation
Look, at the end of the day, the Montecristo Supremos isn’t going to revolutionize your understanding of Cuban cigars. It’s not trying to be revolutionary. What it does – and does brilliantly – is deliver that timeless Montecristo experience in a format that’s just incredibly practical and enjoyable. It’s long enough to be satisfying, but not so demanding that you need to clear your entire afternoon schedule. Strong enough to be interesting, but balanced enough that you can enjoy it with various drinks and at different times of day.
I’ve watched too many aficionados chase after limited editions and vintage rarities while overlooking solid, consistent regulars like this. And I get it – there’s excitement in hunting down something rare. But sometimes the best cigar is the one that reliably delivers excellence every single time you light it up. The Supremos has been doing exactly that for decades.
If you appreciate classic Cuban profiles, if you value expert construction and premium Vuelta Abajo tobacco, if you want a cigar that rewards both casual enjoyment and focused attention – the Montecristo Supremos belongs in your humidor. Buy a few, try one fresh, put the rest away for a year or two, and experience the difference aging makes. This is the kind of cigar that reminds you why Cuban tobacco has dominated the conversation for so long. It’s not flashy, it’s not trendy – it’s just exceptionally well-made and genuinely satisfying every time.
Trust me on this one. After hundreds of different habanos over the years, these Supremos keep earning their place in my regular rotation. That should tell you something.
