Behind the cigar band : Montecristo
Dear readers, did you know the best-selling Habanos brand Montecristo was named after a famous French literary work? Unlike many cigar stories, its origin is clear and captivating.
Created in Havana in 1935 by Alonso Menéndez, Montecristo is one of the youngest yet most beloved Cuban cigar brands. Menéndez ensured top quality by storing Ligero filler leaves in special cedar cabinets before crafting his cigars, a dedication that helped Montecristo succeed.
Reading Alexandre Dumas while rolling
The name Montecristo comes from a 19th century Cuban factory tradition.
To entertain cigar rollers, a reader would read aloud in the factory. Alexandre Dumas’ “The Count of Monte Cristo” was a favorite. Inspired by this, Menéndez combined the name for his brand.
The logo, featuring a triangle with six swords around a flower, also draws from the novel’s themes of romance, revenge, and intrigue. The story takes place near Marseille, the city where LES FINES LAMES was born.
Today, Montecristo remains the world’s best-selling Habanos brand. Each cigar is rolled “Totalmente a Mano con Tripa Larga” with tobacco from the Vuelta Abajo region.
