Introduction: Cuba’s Two Most Iconic Cigars
The Cohiba Robustos and Montecristo No. 2 are legends in the cigar world. One is Cuba’s most prestigious brand, while the other is its best-selling cigar. But how do they really compare when stripped of their bands?
We gathered 10 experienced smokers for a blind taste test—here’s what happened.
(Spoiler: The results shocked us.)
1. The Contenders
A. Cohiba Robustos
Size: 4.9″ x 50 (Robusto)
Wrapper: Aged Cuban medio tiempo
Flavor Profile: Creamy, woody, honey-sweet
Price: $35-$50 per cigar
B. Montecristo No. 2
Size: 6.1″ x 52 (Torpedo)
Wrapper: Cuban-seed colorado
Flavor Profile: Earthy, nutty, coffee-spice
Price: $20-$30 per cigar
Key Difference:
Cohiba = Refined, complex luxury
Montecristo = Bold, consistent crowd-pleaser
2. Blind Taste Test Setup
Methodology
Participants: 10 cigar enthusiasts (5+ years’ experience)
Conditions:
Same humidor storage (65% RH)
Identical cut (guillotine) & light (cedar spill)
No band hints
Rating Criteria:
Flavor (Complexity, balance)
Burn (Evenness, ash quality)
Value (Is it worth the price?)
3. The Results
Round 1: First Third (0-30 mins)
| Cigar | Dominant Flavors | Avg. Rating (10/10) |
|---|---|---|
| Cohiba Robustos | Cream, cedar, faint vanilla | 8.5 |
| Montecristo No. 2 | Leather, almonds, black pepper | 9.0 |
Surprise: Montecristo opened stronger, with bolder flavors.
Round 2: Second Third (30-60 mins)
| Cigar | Flavor Shift | Avg. Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cohiba | Honey, toasted bread | 9.2 |
| Montecristo | Coffee, dark chocolate | 8.8 |
Turnaround: Cohiba’s complexity began shining.
Round 3: Final Third (60-90 mins)
| Cigar | Peak Notes | Avg. Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cohiba | Caramel, espresso | 9.7 |
| Montecristo | Spice, earth | 8.5 |
Conclusion: Cohiba finished stronger, but was it enough?
4. The Winner?
Overall Scores
| Category | Cohiba Robustos | Montecristo No. 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor | 9.1 | 8.8 |
| Burn | 9.3 | 9.5 |
| Value | 7.0 | 9.2 |
Final Verdict:
Cohiba won on flavor (by a slim margin).
Montecristo won on value & consistency.
“For half the price, the Montecristo No. 2 delivers 90% of the experience.” — Test Panel Consensus
5. Key Takeaways
Choose Cohiba Robustos If…
✅ You want peak Cuban luxury (special occasions).
✅ You love evolving, honeyed flavors.
❌ You’re on a budget (it’s 2x the price).
Choose Montecristo No. 2 If…
✅ You prefer bold, spicy-coffee profiles.
✅ You want Cuban quality at half the cost.
❌ You dislike larger ring gauges (52 vs. Cohiba’s 50).
6. Can You Spot the Difference? (Quiz)
Which is which? (Answer: Left = Cohiba [smoother cap], Right = Montecristo [pointed torpedo]).
7. Where to Buy Authentic Pairs
Cohiba Robustos: La Casa del Habano, Trusted Online Retailers
Montecristo No. 2: Authorized Habanos Dealers
Red Flags for Fakes:
❌ Sloppy bands (Cohiba’s Taino head should be crisp)
❌ Uneven wrappers
❌ “Too good” price