"Cigars are no longer just for the seasoned smoker.      They have become a staple in society for rookies and veterans alike,        representing an air of character, class and pleasure. Whether it's a          satisfying smoke after dinner, during a round of golf, or out at the          bar for drinks, cigars are the perfect complement to your lifestyle        because that is exactly what defines cigar smoking:      -- your lifestyle. Welcome to the good life!"
MONTECRISTO CIGARS
MONTECRISTO CIGARS

Year of Foundation: 1935

Tobacco Country: Cuba

Tobacco Procedence: Vuelta Abajo (Pinar del Rio)

Cigar Factory: H. Upmann


Montecristo cigars is the Habanos S.A. world brand with the largest market share. Montecristo was originally sold by Dunhill New York. Until the year 1982 Montecristo used 8 Vitolas made for Alfred Dunhill of London. They used a Montecristo band with "Dunhill" printed on the sides. The Montecristo cigar brand currently accounts for almost 50% of all Cuban cigars exported each year, making the Montecristo cigars the most popular Habano cigars in the world.

In 1935, Montecristo cigars was first branded as "the H. Upmann Montecristo Selection". But when Monte Cristo was appointed as the British distribution agent, the John Hunter firm shortened this Cuban cigar brand’s name to just: Montecristo. The John Hunter firm also redesigned the cigar brand’s logo to its distinctive red and yellow cigar box with the triangular crossed swords. These delicious, full-flavored Cuban cigars are highly recognizable to the pallate due to their unique tobacco blend, and their highly distinctive Cuban cigar flavor. The Montecristo cigar brand is also highly popular as the result of it's exeptionally consistent cigar quality.

Almost a century after the publication of the novel The Count of Monte Cristo by Alejandro Dumas, Alonso Menéndez from Asturias, who already had a cigar business in Cuba, created and registered a trade mark of cigars after the name of the main character of that novel.

Menéndez later associated with another Cuban cigar maker from Asturias in 1935, José García and out of that union the Menéndez, García & Co. was created. A new cigar enterprise that developed the brand Particulares.

Menéndez, García & Co. created the Montecristo brand in 1935, and its launch took place in 1936, after the sale of Particulares to Cifuentes & Cia. owners of Partagas. The benefits of that sale allowed Menéndez to adquire H. Upmann, which at that time was having a bad finantial situation. Menéndez, García & Co. made some critical changes to the cigar factory and recuperated the previous splendour of the H. Upmann cigars in a short time. The association later aquired the Por Larrañaga cigar brand, and became the main cigar producer of Cuba in 1939.

After the recovery of H.Upmann, Menéndez, García & Co. concentrated on developing the Montecristo brand, which was promoted as a prestigious Cuban cigar. Its five numbers were named: No.1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5. Montecristo cigars are strong, with a dark brown cigar wrapper; its cigar strength is present in the traditional forms, from No.1 through No.5. Montecristo No.2 cigars became famous for being the best cogar shape on the Cuban cigar market. The Montecristo Class A, is a 235 mm cigar and stands out a little above the other classifications.

Montecristo tobacco comes from Vuelta Abajo (Pinar del Rio). They are commercialized mainly in Spain, France, Benelux, Hong Kong, Canada, East Europe Swiss, Germany and Great Britain. A non-Cuban brand is available with the same name.