Montecristo
CubanExperienced smokersMontecristo No. 3
Montecristo's classic Cuban Corona — a perfectly balanced 5.6-inch smoke with rich coffee, cedar and earthy Havana depth.
The short answer
The Montecristo No. 3 is a richer, medium-to-full smoke — a Cuban corona with a Cuban wrapper. Expect coffee, cedar, and earth.
Flavor profile
Roast · Earthy · Sweet · Spice
The verdict
The Montecristo No. 3 is a richer, medium-to-full smoke from Montecristo. It's a Cuban corona wrapped in Cuban at 5.6 in × 42.
On the palate, expect coffee, cedar, and earth, leaning roast. Plan on roughly 50 minutes from light to nub.
It pairs naturally with espresso, aged rum, and after a meal. If you're newer to cigars, work up to this one rather than starting here.
The Montecristo No. 3 is the classic full-length Corona: 5.6 inches by a 42 ring gauge. The Corona is often called the benchmark Cuban shape, and the No. 3 is a textbook example — bigger than the popular No. 4, smaller than the No. 1, and beautifully balanced from light to finish.
What it tastes like
This is the Montecristo house style at its most consistent: lots of coffee and cedar, an earthy backbone, and a touch of cocoa and pepper. The 42 ring gauge gives it a steady, even burn and just enough body without becoming heavy, so the flavors progress cleanly as you smoke.
Who it's for
The No. 3 suits a smoker who's past mild Connecticut sticks and wants a real Cuban Corona. It rewards a slow pace — give it 45 minutes or so with an espresso. If you already enjoy the No. 4 and want a slightly longer, more developed version, this is the natural step up.
For more on matching a cigar to your experience level, see our cigar strength guide. And once you've tried it, log your impressions in the Casa DNC app so you can compare it against the rest of the Montecristo line.
Curious how it stacks up? See Cuban vs Nicaraguan cigars.
Montecristo No. 3 — frequently asked
- Is the Montecristo No. 3 a good cigar for beginners?
- Ease into it. The fuller body can be a lot for a first-timer, so it's better once you've built up a little tolerance.
- How strong is the Montecristo No. 3?
- The Montecristo No. 3 is Medium-Full-bodied. Strength is about body and nicotine rather than flavor, so eat something first and take it slow if you're sensitive.
- What does the Montecristo No. 3 taste like?
- Expect coffee, cedar, and earth, leaning roast. Tasting notes are a guide — your palate may pick up more or less.
- What pairs well with the Montecristo No. 3?
- It pairs well with espresso, aged rum, and after a meal. As a rule, match the drink's intensity to the cigar's medium-full body.
- How long does it take to smoke the Montecristo No. 3?
- Plan on about 50 minutes for the corona — longer if you smoke slowly, which keeps it cool and tasting its best.
More cigars like this
Montecristo
Medium-FullMontecristo 80 Aniversario
A limited-edition Cuban marking Montecristo's 80th birthday — a big 6.5-inch gran robusto with a complex, earthy, nutty profile.
Montecristo
Medium-FullMontecristo A
Cuba's longest regular-production cigar — the Montecristo A is a 9.25-inch Gran Corona built for a marathon two-hour smoking session.
Montecristo
Medium-FullMontecristo Double Edmundo
The biggest of the Edmundo family — a 6.1-inch Cuban toro with deep cocoa, coffee and leather for a long, rich after-dinner smoke.
Montecristo No. 3 head-to-head
See how Montecristo No. 3 stacks up against similar cigars — strength, flavor, and ratings.