Description
Why the Montecristo Dantés Deserves More Respect Than It Gets
I’ll be honest: when the Montecristo Dantés Limited Edition 2016 first hit the market, I wasn’t paying attention. Another Edición Limitada release, another marketing push – you know how it goes. Then my buddy Jorge brought a box back from Havana in early 2017, and during a poker night that spring, he handed me one. That first smoke changed my mind completely. This isn’t just another addition to the already crowded Montecristo lineup. The Dantés – named after the protagonist of The Count of Monte Cristo – turned out to be one of those rare limited releases that actually justifies the hype.
Thing is, not many people talk about this vitola anymore. The cigar world moves fast, always chasing the next release. But I’ve kept a few of these aging in my humidor since 2017, and they’ve only gotten better. If you’re looking to understand what makes a proper Edición Limitada special, or if you’re just curious about what Montecristo can do when they step outside their comfort zone, keep reading.
What Makes This Cigar Stand Out in the Montecristo Lineup
Montecristo needs no introduction if you’ve been in the cigar world for more than five minutes. Founded in 1935, the brand has been the gateway Cuban for countless aficionados – sometimes to its own detriment. People dismiss Montecristo as “boring” or “safe,” which is unfair but I get where they’re coming from. The regular production lines can be… let’s say predictable.
The Dantes Limited Edition 2016 is different. At 5.6 inches with a 50 ring gauge, it sits in that Robusto Extra territory – chunky enough to give you a solid smoking experience but not so massive that you need to clear your afternoon schedule. What really sets this apart is the construction and tobacco selection. Like all Edición Limitada releases, these cigars feature an extra year of aging and use tobacco from a specific harvest – in this case, the 2014 crops from Vuelta Abajo.
Who’s this for? If you’re someone who thinks they’ve got Montecristo figured out, this will surprise you. If you’re newer to Cubans and want to experience what the marca can really do when they’re not just churning out production cigars, this is your chance. It’s got enough complexity to keep experienced smokers interested but remains approachable enough that you won’t feel overwhelmed.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Edmundo (Robusto Extra) |
| Length | 5.6 inches / 142 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 50 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) – Extra Aging |
| Binder | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Filler | Cuban Blend (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Strength | Medium to Medium-Full |
| Smoking Time | 60-75 minutes |
The Smoking Experience: From First Light to Final Draw
Cold draw gives you dried fruit and cocoa – nothing too aggressive. The pre-light aroma from the wrapper has this earthy sweetness that I always associate with well-aged Cuban tobacco. Construction on these has been consistently excellent in my experience. The wrappers have that dark colorado shade you expect from Edición Limitada releases, and the roll feels dense without being overpacked.
First third hits you with cedar and leather right away – classic Montecristo territory, but richer. There’s this underlying sweetness, almost like honey drizzled on toast, that keeps it from being too one-dimensional. The burn line stays sharp, and the ash builds up solid and gray. I usually get about an inch before it drops on its own. Draw is just right – not too loose, gives you enough resistance to feel engaged.
Around the second third, things get interesting. The leather notes intensify, and you start picking up some coffee – not that bright espresso flavor, more like dark roasted beans. There’s also this nutty quality that weaves in and out. Hmm, how do I explain this… it’s like the cigar is showing you different layers instead of just getting stronger. The retrohale brings out white pepper that wasn’t there in the first third. Not overwhelming, just enough to add complexity.
Final third is where the Dantés really earns its place. The strength builds to solid medium-full territory, but it never gets harsh or bitter like some Cubans can when you smoke them down. The cedar comes back stronger, joined by earth and that distinctive Cuban tobacco flavor that’s impossible to describe but you know it when you taste it. Some cocoa lingers on the finish. I’ve smoked these down to the nub multiple times without any heat or acrid notes.
One thing worth mentioning – and I know some reviews disagree with me on this – these cigars respond incredibly well to age. Fresh from the box in 2017, they were good. Now, six years on? They’re genuinely excellent. If you can find a box and have the patience, stash them away for a couple more years.
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montecristo Dantés LE 2016 | Medium to Medium-Full | 60-75 minutes | Evening smoking when you want complexity without overwhelming strength |
| Montecristo No. 2 | Medium | 50-65 minutes | Those who prefer the classic Montecristo profile in torpedo format |
| Partagás Serie D No. 4 | Medium-Full | 45-60 minutes | When you want earthier, more robust flavors in similar smoking time |
What to Drink and When to Smoke This
Rum is the obvious choice here, and it works beautifully. I’m partial to aged Cuban rum – a good añejo like Santiago de Cuba 12 Year or Havana Club Selección de Maestros. The sweet, complex notes in the rum complement without overpowering the tobacco. If rum isn’t your thing, try a bourbon with some age on it. Knob Creek or Maker’s Mark work well. The vanilla and oak notes play nice with the cedar in the cigar.
Coffee? Absolutely. Mid-morning with a dark roast is one of my favorite ways to enjoy a Dantés. The coffee amplifies those roasted flavors in the second third. I’ve also paired it with a good single malt – something Speyside, not too peaty. Glenfiddich 15 or Balvenie DoubleWood both worked surprisingly well.
This is an evening cigar for me, typically. Not a celebratory smoke necessarily, more like an end-of-week ritual. Friday night on the patio, or during those rare quiet Sunday afternoons when everyone else is busy and you’ve got the house to yourself. The smoking time is substantial enough that you need to commit, but it’s not one of those marathon Churchills that eats up two hours.
How many Montecristo Dantés Limited Edition 2016 cigars were produced?
Habanos S.A. doesn’t always release exact production numbers for Edición Limitada releases, but these weren’t as widely distributed as some other LE releases from that year. They came in boxes of 10, which was somewhat unusual. Based on what I’ve seen in the market, they weren’t overly scarce when they first released, but finding them now in good condition requires some hunting.
What’s the ideal humidity level for storing the Dantés?
I keep mine between 62-65% relative humidity, which is lower than the traditional 70% you’ll often hear recommended. Cuban cigars in general, and these Edición Limitadas specifically, seem to smoke better at slightly lower humidity – better burn, easier draw, more flavor. If you’re pulling these from storage that’s been at 70%, let them rest at lower humidity for a couple weeks before smoking.
Is the Montecristo Dantés similar to the Edmundo vitola?
They share the same basic dimensions – both are 5.6 inches by 50 ring gauge. But that’s where the similarity ends. The Dantés uses tobacco from specific harvests and gets additional aging as part of the Edición Limitada treatment. The flavor profile is noticeably richer and more complex than a standard production Edmundo. Think of them as distant cousins, not twins.
How does the 2016 vintage compare to other Montecristo Limited Editions?
I’ve smoked most of the Montecristo LE releases from the past decade, and the Dantés holds its own. It’s not as bold as the 2015 Dumas, but it’s more refined. More complex than the 2013 Club, in my opinion. Each LE release has its own character depending on the harvest and vitola, but the Dantés represents Montecristo at the upper end of its game without trying to be something it’s not.
Are these cigars still smokable now, or have they peaked?
Still excellent. Cuban cigars, especially well-made ones like this, can age beautifully for decades if stored properly. I smoked one last month from my remaining stash, and it was phenomenal – actually better than when I first tried them in 2017. The harsh edges have completely smoothed out, and the flavors have integrated more. If you find a well-stored box, don’t hesitate thinking they’re past their prime.
What does “Edición Limitada” actually mean in terms of quality?
Three things distinguish Edición Limitada releases: they use tobacco from a specific harvest year, that tobacco receives at least two years of aging before rolling (versus the standard minimum aging for regular production), and they use darker wrappers. In theory, this means better quality control and more developed flavors. In practice? Sometimes it’s marketing, but with the Dantés, you can actually taste the difference. The extra aging really shows.
Can beginners enjoy this cigar, or is it too complex?
Depends on the beginner. If you’ve never smoked a cigar before, start somewhere else – this would be like learning to drive in a sports car. But if you’ve had a few Cubans and want to step up your game, the Dantés is actually a great choice. It’s complex enough to be interesting but not so strong that it’ll knock you over. Just make sure you’ve eaten something first and have at least an hour to dedicate to it.
Final Thoughts on the Montecristo Dantés
This is one of those cigars that reminds me why I fell in love with Cubans in the first place. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel – it’s just taking everything Montecristo does well and executing it at a higher level. The construction is solid, the flavors are rich without being overwhelming, and the smoking experience from start to finish is genuinely satisfying.
If you’re building a collection or looking for something special to age, hunt down a box of these while you still can. The 2016 vintage has proven itself over time, and with proper storage, these will only continue to improve. For those just looking to experience what a well-made Edición Limitada tastes like, buy a few singles and see for yourself why this release deserves more attention than it gets.
You won’t be disappointed. Just make sure you’ve got an hour free and something good to drink nearby.
