Shop All Montecristo Cigar Brands

With their rich history and reputation, Montecristo cigars are among the most popular cigars in the world and the standard by which practically all other premium cigars are judged. Meticulously hand-crafted at the Tabacalera de Garcia factory in the Dominican Republic, you can buy Montecristo cigars in a variety of premium blends designed for cigar smokers of every caliber and all different tastes here at Famous Smoke Shop.

The History of Montecristo Cigars

The Cuban Montecristo was originally branded in 1935 by Alonso Menéndez after he purchased the Particulares Factory. The name was inspired by the classic Alexander Dumas novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, a popular book during the early 1900's which was often read to the rollers by the factory lector as the workers made cigars.

One year later, Menéndez founded a new company with partner Pepe García, naming it Menéndez, García y Cía. With the success of the Montecristo cigar brand, in 1937 they were able to purchase the floundering H. Upmann Factory from J. Frankau S.A. which became the new home of all Montecristo Habana cigars production.

J. Frankau continued to be the sole distributor of the H. Upmann brand in the UK, while the firm of John Hunter Morris and Elkan Co. Ltd. was assigned as sole distributor of Montecristo in Britain. Morris and Elkan were also responsible for the design of the brand's logo which is recognized today by its fleur-de-lis surrounded by a triangle of crossed swords. In 1963, these firms would merge to become Hunters & Frankau, who remain the sole importer and distributor of all Cuban cigars in Great Britain.

Thanks to a marketing boost via the Alfred Dunhill company, the Montecristo brand became incredibly popular worldwide. Of all the cigars in the original Montecristo (yellow box) selection, the most popular are the Montecristo No.2 cigars. These legendary Torpedoes remain the shape of choice by cigar smokers among all Montecristo cigars for sale in Cuba, as well as the Dominican-made version sold in the United States.

By 1961 the Castro regime had nationalized the cigar industry, so Menéndez and García split to the Canary Islands where they revived the brand. However, due to trademark disputes with Cuba's state-run tobacco bureau, Cubatabaco, they were forced to cease production.

During the mid-1970s, Menéndez and García moved their operations to La Romana in The Dominican Republic where Montecristo cigars were produced for the U.S. market. Due to the Cuban trade embargo enacted in 1962 by the Kennedy administration, Cuba's rights to the brand were not recognized, which allowed Menéndez and García to make all the Montecristo cigars they wanted. Today, the brand is owned, produced, and distributed by Altadis USA. Since Dominican production began in 19XX, the Montecristo cigar has branched out with a number of outstanding selections, each with its own unique blend, flavor and aroma. Among them include the Montecristo Classic Series. Similar in appearance and blend to the original Montecristo (Yellow), the Classic Series uses a much higher grade Connecticut wrapper and Dominican filler blend. The Classic is also distinguished by a second gold band which reads "CLASSIC SERIES." For cigar smokers who buy cigars online, this detail helps ensure they're getting the right selection.

Top Selling Brands of Montecristo Cigars

The Montecristo White Series is considered the most reminiscent of the original Montecristo Habana cigars for its heartier blend made with a substantial amount of Nicaraguan tobacco, while the Montecristo Platinum selection with its four-nation recipe offers the most complexity.

Yet, despite their differences, all of the Montecristo cigars for sale have several things in common. They all have a distinctive creaminess, plenty of rich flavors, and a seductive aroma. Moreover, due to cigar smokers' enduring admiration for the shape, every Montecristo line extension includes a No.2 Torpedo.

In 1999, Altadis U.S.A. established the Montecristo Relief Organization, which has helped build homes, schools, and medical facilities, including scholarships and economic opportunities to victims of natural disasters in the Caribbean and the United States. So, when you buy Montecristo cigars, you're not only treating yourself to some of the world's finest cigars, you're helping the people who make them and their families. Choose the Montecristo cigar that is priced right for you and add them to your cart today.