Hello, dear reader,
I rarely do reviews as I believe that taste is personal, it’s a “fingerprint” only we can see, so for me to tell you this cigar is good or bad…makes little sense. But when I have an experience as flawless as I had with the Montecristo 80 Aniversario… I just have to share it with everyone. There are cigars that make an impression, and then there are those that make a statement. The Montecristo 80 Aniversario belongs in both categories. Created in 2015 to mark the 80th anniversary of the Montecristo brand, this cigar stood out from the very beginning and since it has been 10 years since it was announced I decided to see how it developed.
It isn’t overdesigned in my opinion, like we see with recent Habanos releases. Everything about it, from the proportions to the aroma, reflects a blend made with intent and not one that was a pleasant surprise which they decided to go with. One of the many reasons I liked this cigar is that it wasn’t a push out of the comfort zone for the Montecristo flavour profile, like we’ve seen with the Partagas Linea Maestra or the Romeo y Julieta Linea de Oro. Don’t get me wrong, those are absolutely wonderful lines but they take you out of the classic taste profiles a bit. No sir, this is a true Montecristo with notes of cedar so elegant and smoke so smooth I am actually amazed that there are still some left.
The Montecristo 80 Aniversario measures165 by 55 , and the Maravillas no2 vitola was initially created specifically for this edition and simply named 80 Aniversario, two years later it became the vitola for the Montecristo Leyenda, which I think was intended to be as much like the Aniversario as possible. It’s rolled entirely by hand with long-filler tobaccos from Vuelta Abajo, Cuba’s most prestigious growing region, and comes in elegant boxes of 20 cigars. It’s a large cigar, yes, but very well-proportioned, and I had no issue with draw or construction throughout the smoke.
The presentation is tasteful. The wrapper has a uniform reddish-brown color and an oily texture which I can’t stop staring at. A secondary gold band marks the anniversary, complementing the special gold Montecristo insignia without excess.
The cigar begins with classic Montecristo notes: cedar, roasted coffee, and light cocoa. The first moment is balanced, leaning toward medium-full, there’s a touch of vanilla sweetness that rounds the flavors nicely without overshadowing the tobacco’s natural character, one of my favourite notes, by the way.
Later on the dark chocolate, toasted nuts, and dry wood take the lead, and this is when the cigar has your full attention, a faint spice adds more complexity on the retrohale. The burn remains steady, and the aroma develops richness without ever becoming aggressive.
The final moment brings more intensity, espresso, leather, and molasses dominate, with a finish that lingers but stays clean. Strength builds toward the end, as expected from a Montecristo in this format, but never crosses into harshness which is impressive. If I had to guess, in 10 more years, if cared for properly, this cigar is going to be absolutely spectacular.
As expected from a commemorative release, construction is impeccable. The draw is firm but open, producing dense, creamy smoke. The ash holds well and the burn line is remarkably even.
The tobaccos used are notably mature. This cigar was rolled using leaves aged specifically for the 80th anniversary blend, giving it a distinctive refinement that sets it apart from the core Montecristo range. The result is a deeper, slower profile, both contemplative and expressive.
The 80 Aniversario definitely pairs well with aged rum or a rich single malt but I decided to go for a special cognac, the Louis XIII and medjool dates. All options enhance its earthy sweetness and balance its spice. A black coffee or espresso would also be great companions. Dark Chocolate? Don’t get me started…
I don’t see The Montecristo 80 Aniversario as a casual cigar. It’s meant for quiet evenings, when time allows for full attention. Its measured strength and layered flavor profile make it ideal for moments of reflection or part of a small private tasting event guided by yours truly.
A Fitting Tribute
Eighty years is a long legacy to honor, and this cigar does so with precision. I really appreciate that it doesn’t try to reinvent what a Montecristo is, but it shows you all it can be through balance, flavor, and character.
Nearly a decade after its release, the 80 Aniversario continues to stand out among commemorative editions for its structure and age-worthiness. It is not an everyday cigar as I said, nor is it meant to be. It’s the kind you save for an important occasion, or create one just to justify lighting it.
Wishing you rich flavors and good company, until we meet again.