A grand debut under the lights of Las Ventas, the Montecristo Elba Limited Edition 2025 celebrates 90 years of Montecristo with power, poise, and unmistakable elegance.
Hello, dear reader,
Everyone has been eagerly waiting for the event that took place this past Saturday, the global launch of the first 2025 Edicion Limitada, the Montecristo Elba. Announced at the 25th Festival del Habano earlier this year, it finally made its world premiere on October 25th in Madrid, under the intense red lights of the legendary Las Ventas bullring, a venue as grand and symbolic as the brand it celebrated.
Spain and Montecristo have always shared a strong bond. For decades, Spanish aficionados have been among the most loyal supporters of this brand so it was only fitting that Madrid would host this magnificent event.
Everything was put together by Club Pasión Habanos and Tabacalera, Habanos S.A.’s co-shareholder and exclusive distributor in Spain. As with every Pasión Habanos event, the attention to detail was remarkable. From the elegant setting of Las Ventas, transformed from an arena of spectacle into a temple of cigar culture, to the effortless coordination that welcomed hundreds of guests from across many countries, it was clear that they wanted the event to be spectacular. It was a celebration of tradition, culture, woven together with the enduring passion that defines the Habanos community.
The Montecristo Elba itself is a Grand Robusto if you look online, and that it may be but you know here we love our Vitola de Galera names, measuring 146 mm in length with a 54 ring gauge it should be an Encantos, according to official sources. The double robusto is a format that has become very popular among modern aficionados so I am expecting to see more cigars produced in similar sizes.
When lit, the Montecristo Elba reveals why Montecristo remains a benchmark for balance and complexity, even though it is still a fresh cigar. The first few puffs are rich with cedar and earthy tobacco, soon joined by deep notes of coffee and molasses. Midway, the profile warms, introducing subtle sweetness, honey and toasted wood, that rounds the flavor beautifully without overwhelming the palate while the finish lingers long and aromatic. The cigar holds steady at a medium to full strength, a harmonious blend between the power expected from a Limited Edition and the finesse that defines Montecristo. I will give it a few months and will give it a proper review once it has rested a bit.
Presented as a Limited Edition 2025, it also serves as a tribute to the 90th anniversary of Montecristo, a milestone that few brands in the cigar world can match. The cigar will initially be released in elegant Premier boxes of five cigars and only 10,000 of these boxes will be produced. We’ve grown accustomed to this practice and I salute it, to be honest. Boxes of 20 will come later on and, as is customary, Spain will enjoy an exclusivity period before global distribution begins so if you have FOMO…I recommend you visit Madrid.
Visually, the Elba embodies the elegance that has long defined Montecristo’s Limited Editions. The dark, oily wrapper, the deep golden band embossed with the brand’s insignia and the Limited Edition 2025 marking, all speak of refined craftsmanship and the promise of a very enjoyable experience. The box presentation mirrors recent Montecristo LE releases: sleek, modern, but some simple elements will remind you of tradition. It’s a collector’s piece as much as it is a cigar, especially the Premier box so keep an eye out for these starting next week.
Club Pasión Habanos deserves special recognition for transforming the Las Ventas bullring into one of the most memorable cigar stages of the year. This isn’t new territory for them, their ability to merge spectacle with authenticity has set the bar for Habanos events worldwide. Their gatherings are filled with camaraderie, music, and Spanish flair that make each evening unforgettable. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Pasión Habanos has become a cultural ambassador for us Cuban cigar enthusiasts.
In many ways, the Montecristo Elba continues a beautiful rhythm established in recent years. Last year, the H. Upmann Magnum Finite Limited Edition 2024 took center stage at another Pasión Habanos event, also in Madrid. This year, the baton passes to Montecristo, marking a symbolic continuation of how Spain has become the global home for unveiling some of the most prestigious Habanos releases.
Of course, anticipation now shifts toward December, when Phoenicia will host its own grand event in Limassol, Cyprus, for the Punch Princesas Limited Edition 2025. But for now, the Montecristo Elba reigns, the first Limited Edition of the new year, the beginning of another chapter in a story that spans nine decades of excellence.
As I left the Las Ventas arena that night, the air was still scented with fine tobacco, and of course, the shared sense of privilege, the knowledge that we were witnessing the birth of another icon.
Congratulations to Club Pasión Habanos and Tabacalera for a spectacular event, and to Habanos S.A. for once again reminding us what true craftsmanship and heritage look like when brought to life.
Wishing you rich flavors and good company, until we meet again.