Welcome to my review of the Por Larrañaga Montecarlos.
I’d heard a lot about this cigar long before I finally lit one up. Nearly every Cuban cigar enthusiast I’d spoken with eventually asked the same question: „Have you smoked the Por Larrañaga Montecarlos yet?” It quickly became clear that this slender Habano had earned something of a cult following.
Needless to say, I was delighted when I found one in a package from Premium Cigars. Szymon Kwiatkowski, who made sure it found its way into that package, had mentioned it to me on more than one occasion, so my expectations were already fairly high.
For some reason, I had always imagined the Montecarlos to be a larger cigar than it actually is. Seeing it in person for the first time, I immediately assumed it would be a quick, 40-minute smoke at most. So, on a beautiful spring Sunday, I took it with me for a coffee, expecting a short and relaxing session.
Since this is my first review of a Por Larrañaga cigar, let’s begin with a few words about the brand itself.
A Few Words on Por Larrañaga
Por Larrañaga is one of the oldest Cuban cigar brands still in continuous production, with a history dating back to 1834. The brand was founded by Spanish immigrant Ignacio Larrañaga, who arrived in Cuba in 1825. By the end of the nineteenth century, Por Larrañaga had established itself as one of the island’s most prestigious cigar makers, with its cigars gracing the humidors of luxury hotels, private clubs, and fine restaurants around the world. Many historians even credit the brand with helping shape the international reputation of Cuban cigars as a luxury product.
The brand also played an unexpected role in cigar-making history. In 1925, its factory became the first in Cuba to adopt cigar-making machines on a large scale, producing machine-made cigars primarily for the American market. It’s an interesting twist, considering that Por Larrañaga is now best known for its traditional, old-school approach to Cuban cigars.
Although it has never enjoyed the same level of recognition as household names like Montecristo, Partagás, or Cohiba, Por Larrañaga has earned a loyal following among seasoned Habano enthusiasts, who appreciate its distinctive character and refined sweetness.
Today, the regular Por Larrañaga portfolio consists of just four vitolas:
- Petit Coronas (Marevas, 129 mm × 42),
- Montecarlos (Deliciosos, 159 mm × 33),
- Picadores (Hermosos No. 4, 127 mm × 48),
- Galanes (120 mm × 52).
In today’s review, I’ll be taking a closer look at the Por Larrañaga Montecarlos.
Por Larrañaga Montecarlos
Although the modern incarnation of the Montecarlos was reintroduced in 2002 as a totalmente a mano, tripa larga cigar, the name itself dates back to the pre-Revolution era, having been part of the Por Larrañaga portfolio long before the Cuban Revolution. Like every Habano, it is crafted entirely from Cuban tobacco.
I know many cigar enthusiasts have a soft spot for the Montecarlos, and it’s easy to understand why. Despite flying largely under the radar, it has earned a reputation as one of the hidden gems in the Habanos portfolio. More importantly, it has survived the industry’s shift toward thicker, larger ring gauges, remaining faithful to a classic format that has become increasingly rare in today’s cigar world.
A Few Technical Notes
The Montecarlos comes in what could best be described as a slim Panetela format, measuring just under 160 mm in length with a 33-ring gauge. At first glance, it looks like the kind of cigar you’ll finish in no time.
The wrapper is light in color, noticeably veiny, and somewhat uneven. It doesn’t immediately convey a premium appearance. The cigar itself isn’t perfectly round either, almost as if it had been gently flattened on each side during rolling. Even the band seems to have been applied with little concern for perfect alignment.
From a distance, however, the Montecarlos has a certain elegance. Its long, slender silhouette and old gold band give it a refined look. Up close, those first impressions begin to fade as the imperfections become more apparent. Then again, perhaps that’s part of its charm.
The Cut
For the cut, I reached for a straight cigar cutter. Before doing so, though, I took a moment to give the cigar a proper inspection.
The cold aroma is subtle yet inviting, offering delicate notes of sweetness and floral character. It’s not particularly intense, but it’s enough to spark curiosity.
After the cut, the draw feels just a touch on the firm side. The cold draw reveals a hint of cedar, with little else making itself known at this stage.
The Light
I toasted the foot with a jet flame lighter before bringing the cigar to life with a series of short, gentle puffs. After setting it down for a moment to enjoy a sip of coffee, I settled in for the experience.
The opening was surprisingly peppery and sharp – far bolder than I had expected. Fortunately, the draw opened up quickly, improving to what I’d describe as very good. Creamy notes soon took center stage, though the pepper lingered quietly in the background, adding a welcome touch of spice.
Beneath the cigar’s natural sweetness and creamy character, I found a dry, earthy bitterness that gave the profile additional depth rather than detracting from it. As the smoke developed, cedar gradually became the dominant flavor, while a pleasant, lingering nuttiness remained on the finish.
Strength & Body
The Montecarlos sits comfortably in the light-to-medium range, offering enough character to keep things interesting without ever becoming overpowering.
Aroma & Smoke
The cigar produces generous amounts of fragrant smoke, with aromas dominated by creamy, nutty notes that complement the flavor profile remarkably well.
Construction & Burn
The burn was impressively even throughout the smoking experience and, perhaps more surprisingly, much slower than its slender dimensions had led me to expect.
Final Thoughts on the Por Larrañaga Montecarlos
Now I understand why so many Cuban cigar enthusiasts spoke so highly of the Montecarlos. It has everything I enjoy in a cigar. The flavor is engaging from beginning to end, the generous clouds of aromatic smoke are a pleasure, and its light-to-medium strength made it a perfect companion to my morning coffee.
The compact format – did I really just write that? – turned out to be another advantage. Despite its modest dimensions, the Montecarlos offers far more than appearances might suggest. There’s a certain old-world elegance to it that simply can’t be appreciated until you’ve experienced it for yourself.
If this cigar proves anything, it’s that you should never judge a book by its cover. It may not look particularly impressive at first glance, but once lit, it reveals a depth of character that easily won me over. It made for a thoroughly enjoyable Sunday morning, and I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking to discover one of the hidden gems in the Habanos portfolio.
The cigar for this review was kindly provided by Premium Cigars through the courtesy of Szymon Kwiatkowski. My sincere thanks.
If you enjoyed reading this, let me know! Drop a comment or share the post – every bit of support helps others discover my cigar reviews and smoking tips. If you prefer to listen, I co-host a podcast with Piotr Siwiński called „Spotkanie z Dymem” („A Meeting with Smoke”) – currently in Polish, though who knows what the future holds? You can also find me on Instagram, where I share a slice of my cigar life – and a bit more. I always welcome a good conversation. That’s how great connections start – and they often go far beyond just cigars.
Stay smoky!
Mateusz Krzywiecki, @mateusz.krzywiecki, Polski Aficionado, @polskiaficionado
