The History of Montecristo: How a Classic Cigar Brand was Born

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Montecristo is one of the most iconic and well-known cigar brands in the world. The brand was born in 1935 and has been producing some of the finest cigars ever since.

Montecristo cigars are known for their smooth flavor and consistent quality. Whether you’re looking for mild and mellow smoke or something with a bit more of a kick, Montecristo has a cigar that will fit your taste. With such a wide variety of vitolas available, there’s something for everyone who enjoys a good cigar.

In this blog post, VC Tours will take you on a tour of the history of Montecristo cigars. You find out how they became one of the most popular brands in the industry.

If we want to talk about this, we have to go back to 1865 when people started reading in tobacco factories. The most popular authors at the time were Alexandre Dumas, Eugene Sue, and Victor Hugo. In particular, people loved The Count of Montecristo and The Three Musketeers.

The tobacco reader read the novel to the Rollers of the H. Upmann Factory in Havana. Given the popularity, it was only natural to name the new cigar brand “Montecristo” such as the lead character in the book.

The brand was created in 1935 by the Menéndez and García families. The Montecristo cigar is the result of the experience of both families who wanted to establish themselves in the international market.

Montecristo brand, synonymous with cigars of unparalleled quality

The Tripa Largas comes in long rolls and is made exclusively with Vuelta Abajo’s best leaves by experienced rollers. This leaves smokers – both new and familiar with the world of Habanos – with an unforgettable experience. Being Montecristo No. 4, the best-selling Habano in the world. In 1955, the bishop of Havana even came to bless the headquarters of the factory.

Thus, they promoted the Montecristo as a prestigious cigar, naming the first five models as No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5. Its success in the United States was absolutely placing it among the five best cigars in the market. The name Montecristo became synonymous with quality cigars on the market.  It could be considered to be the reference by which all other Habanos are measured.

The brand started with five unique vitolas but it has since expanded to cover the tastes of even the most demanding smokers from the large Montecristo A to smaller formats.

They also have the advantage of being produced in the best factories such as José Martí (H. Upmann), Francisco Pérez Germán (Partagás), or El Laguito.

It still accounts for almost half of Cuba’s annual sales of Habanos cigars. Although, a drop in quality is criticized for its high production, especially in relation to its most historic models such as Montecristo No. 3 and No. 4, which continue as the best-selling cigars. The larger models escape these criticisms and the Montecristo A remains one of the best cigars.

Meaning of the label

The Montecristo brand currently has a new design that is more in line with current trends. The labels feature a bright yellow background with six swords crossing to form an equilateral triangle. The small spaces formed by the intersection of the swords are filled with a bright red, contrasting sharply with the background yellow. In the center of the label appears the Fleur de Lis, a symbol of the French courts.

While the vivid yellow reflects the gold that makes Edmundo Dantès wealthy, the swords represent Spada–the last name of those who buried the treasure on Montecristo island.

As you can see, Montecristo cigars have a rich history and are some of the most popular cigars in the world. If you’re looking for a truly premium smoking experience, be sure to check out VC Tours’cigar tour. VC Tours offers you an intimate look into how some of the world’s best cigars are made. Watch artisans at work and enjoy premium Montecristos while on tour. Learn more and reserve your spot today!