Montecristo Espada

Montecristo Espada cigars represents a monumental shift for a brand traditionally rooted in Dominican tobacco, serving as its very first 100% Nicaraguan puro. This historic blend was achieved through a groundbreaking collaboration between the legendary Grupo de Maestros of Altadis USA and the renowned Plasencia family. While the Maestros handled the intricate blending process, the Plasencias grew, aged, and rolled the cigars at their factory in Nicaragua. The name "Espada" translates to "sword" in Spanish, a fitting tribute to the iconic crossed swords that have graced the brand’s logo for decades.

The tasting notes of this medium to full bodied puro are incredibly complex, driven entirely by highly specified vintage tobaccos. It features a stunning Habano Jalapa Vintage 2010 wrapper over a Habano Jalapa Vintage 2009 binder. The filler core is a masterful combination of Habano Jalapa Seco (2008), Habano Jalapa Viso Ometepe (2008), and Habano Condega Ligero (2008). From the first draw, the palate is hit with robust layers of black pepper, heavy earth, and leather, which seamlessly transition into a smooth, roasted coffee bean finish. The precise aging of these vintage leaves ensures a flawless draw and a perfectly even burn.

This blend is highly sought-after by seasoned aficionados because of its unique vintage pedigree; finding a puro that specifies the exact harvest year for every single leaf in the wrapper, binder, and filler is incredibly rare. A great visual detail of the Espada by Montecristo is its presentation: each box is beautifully adorned with black sword sketches, and the cigars feature a prominent sword-shaped secondary band. To ensure these irreplaceable vintage leaves remain in perfect condition, we ship every order directly from our aging room. With our factory-fresh sourcing model and strict 70/70 climate control, these Nicaraguan masterpieces arrive flawlessly humidified and ready to be enjoyed.

More Blend Details

Origin: Nicaragua

Factory: Plasencia Cigars

Available Size: Toro (6 x 50), Robusto (5 x 54), Gordo (6 x 55) 

Packaging: Boxes of 10

Ratings: Cigar Aficionado awarded Montecristo Espada with multiple 86+ point ratings.

Pairing & Recommendations

To complement the heavy black pepper, leather, and roasted coffee bean tasting notes of this vintage Nicaraguan puro, we highly recommend pairing it with a bold, high-proof rye whiskey or a strong, dark roast espresso. The spicy kick of the rye matches the Condega Ligero filler perfectly, while the espresso elevates the rich earthiness of the Jalapa wrapper. This is an assertive, deeply satisfying smoke best reserved for a late evening when you have the time to sit back and appreciate the complexity of the vintage tobaccos.

Given the pristine Habano Jalapa Vintage 2010 wrapper, use a razor-sharp double-guillotine cutter to cleanly remove the cap without tearing the delicate, aged leaf. Toast the foot patiently with a soft flame, or hold your torch lighter a few inches away to avoid shocking the dense vintage tobaccos. Keep your puffing cadence slow and rhythmic; smoking too fast will cause the heavy Nicaraguan ligero to overheat, which can easily mask the subtle roasted coffee nuances that make this medium-to-full bodied blend so spectacular.