Montecristo Open Master

Length: 4 7/8"
Ring Gauge: 50
Flavour: Medium
Vitola: Robusto
Smoking Time: 45-60 Mins

Rating by Surrey Cigars: 90/100

Montecristo Open Master

The Montecristo Open Master is a smooth, approachable Cuban Robusto designed to deliver Montecristo's unmistakable character in a lighter, more contemporary style.

Measuring 4 7/8" x 50, the Open Master combines the generous proportions of a classic Robusto with the refined medium-bodied character of the Montecristo Open series. Handmade in Cuba using carefully selected tobacco from the renowned Vuelta Abajo region, it provides plenty of flavour while remaining noticeably more accessible than the traditional medium to full-bodied Montecristo Línea Clásica.

Expect an elegant combination of cedar, toasted tobacco, coffee, and nuts, with subtle sweetness, gentle spice, and touches of cocoa. Its balance and manageable strength make the Open Master equally appealing to established aficionados looking for a relaxed daytime cigar and those beginning to explore premium Cuban cigars.

Flavour Profile

The Montecristo Open Master opens with smooth notes of cedar, toasted tobacco and nuts, accompanied by a gentle creaminess and restrained pepper.

As the cigar develops, coffee and light cocoa begin to emerge alongside subtle earthy notes. Hints of citrus and natural sweetness provide contrast, while toasted almond and woody flavours remain at the heart of the profile.

The final stages grow slightly richer, bringing deeper coffee, earth, and spice to the foreground without developing the intensity associated with Montecristo's fuller-bodied cigars. The result is a balanced and satisfying finish that retains the approachable character of the Open series.

Construction and Smoking Experience

At 4 7/8" with a 50 ring gauge, the Open Master offers the familiar proportions and satisfying feel of a traditional Robusto.

The generous ring gauge produces plenty of smoke and lets the blend develop gradually over about 45 to 60 minutes. Its medium-bodied character encourages a relaxed smoking pace, allowing the cedar, coffee, nut and subtle sweet notes to evolve throughout the cigar.

The combination of a substantial ring gauge and moderate strength makes the Open Master particularly versatile. It can be enjoyed during the day, after lunch or as a relaxed early-evening cigar without demanding the time or intensity of some of Montecristo's larger and stronger vitolas.

Ideal for Discerning Aficionados

The Montecristo Open Master suits smokers who want Montecristo quality and heritage in a smoother, more approachable format.

Its medium strength makes it an excellent introduction to premium Cuban cigars, while the complexity of its flavour profile provides enough interest for more experienced aficionados. Those who enjoy the classic Montecristo character but occasionally want something less intense will find the Open Master particularly appealing.

The cigar was created as part of a range designed with outdoor and more informal occasions in mind, making it a natural companion for a round of golf, an afternoon gathering, a leisurely drink or simply a relaxed moment outside.

About Montecristo

Founded in Havana in 1935, Montecristo has become one of the world's most recognised Cuban cigar brands and remains a benchmark against which many other Habanos are judged.

The brand takes its name from Alexandre Dumas' famous novel The Count of Monte Cristo, a story traditionally said to have been particularly popular when read aloud to cigar rollers while they worked.

Montecristo's original range consisted of five numbered vitolas, from No. 1 to No. 5. Over the decades, the portfolio expanded considerably while maintaining the distinctive character that established Montecristo as one of Cuba's most celebrated cigar marques.

In 2009, the Montecristo Open series introduced a more contemporary expression of the brand. The original collection comprised four cigars, the Eagle, Regata, Master and Junior, each created using selected tobacco from Cuba's prestigious Vuelta Abajo region.

The Open Master was particularly significant because it introduced a Robusto to the Montecristo portfolio. With its 50 ring gauge, 124 mm length, and smoother, medium-bodied blend, it offers a modern alternative to the richer character traditionally associated with Montecristo while retaining the craftsmanship and Cuban tobacco heritage of the marque.