Altadis U.S.A. calls Espada the first Montecristo with all of its tobacco coming from Nicaragua. It reached stores in July 2014, made by the Plasencia family at their factory in Estelí. Espada is Spanish for sword, and the sizes take their names from its parts: Guard, Ricasso and Quillon. This is a U.S.-market Montecristo from Altadis U.S.A., a different cigar from the Cuban Montecristo.
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About Montecristo Espada
Altadis lists Habano tobacco throughout the original Espada: a 2010 Jalapa wrapper, a 2009 Jalapa binder, and 2008 filler from Jalapa, Ometepe and Condega. It describes a bold, spicy and deeply satisfying smoke. The Espada Quillon, 7 x 56, was No. 20 on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 for 2015, at 92 points; we carry the Quillon in the Oscuro blend.
Espada Oscuro followed in June 2019, another all-Nicaraguan blend under a dark wrapper that the Altadis launch release called Habano Rosado Oscuro. Its 6 x 60 Magnum Especial began as a single-retailer exclusive and went to other shops in August 2021. Estoque was a limited 6 x 50 torpedo: 5,000 boxes of 10 in 2015, which Cigar Aficionado scored 91 in April 2016, then the Estoque Vintage 2002 in 2017 (2,500 boxes) and a third season in new packaging in 2019.
Montecristo Espada sizes
| Size | Dimensions | Blend | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guard | 6 x 50 | Espada | 89 points, Cigar Aficionado, October 2016 |
| Magnum Especial | 6 x 60 | Espada | |
| Oscuro Ricasso | 5 x 54 | Espada Oscuro | 89 points, Cigar Aficionado, February 2020 |
| Oscuro Guard | 6 x 50 | Espada Oscuro | 86 points, Cigar Insider, August 2019 |
| Oscuro Quillon | 7 x 56 | Espada Oscuro | The size that made the 2015 Top 25 in the original blend |
| Oscuro Magnum Especial | 6 x 60 | Espada Oscuro | Sold nationally from August 2021 |
| Estoque No. 2 | 6 x 50 torpedo | Estoque | 91 points, Cigar Aficionado, April 2016 (2015 release) |
Espada is packed in boxes of 10. We sell every Espada as a single or a 5-pack.
Montecristo Espada prices
Prices and availability update automatically from our inventory.
| Cigar | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Montecristo Espada Guard | Single $19.99 5-Pack $90.99 |
In stock |
| Montecristo Espada Magnum Especial | Single $20.99 5-Pack $95.99 |
In stock |
| Montecristo Espada Oscuro Ricasso | Single $18.99 5-Pack $86.99 |
In stock |
| Montecristo Espada Oscuro Guard | Single $19.99 5-Pack $90.99 |
In stock |
| Montecristo Espada Oscuro Quillon | Single $17.99 5-Pack $81.99 |
In stock |
| Montecristo Espada Oscuro Magnum Especial | Single $20.99 5-Pack $95.99 |
In stock |
| Montecristo Espada Estoque No. 2 | Single $17.99 5-Pack $81.99 |
In stock |
What to pour with Espada
Altadis publishes no pairing, so this is a house suggestion. Cigar Aficionado has rated Espada sizes from medium to medium-full, and our pairing guide's contrast rule fits a spicy Nicaraguan cigar: set it against a sweet, caramel-forward bourbon. Our bourbon guide adds that bourbons with more rye stand up to fuller, more peppery cigars. More in the cigar and whiskey pairing guide.
Common questions
Is Montecristo Espada Cuban? No. It is a U.S.-market Montecristo from Altadis U.S.A., made entirely from Nicaraguan tobacco in Estelí.
Who makes Espada? The Plasencia family, at their factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, with Altadis U.S.A.
What is the difference between Espada and Espada Oscuro? Altadis calls the Oscuro another all-Nicaraguan blend, under a dark wrapper its launch release called Habano Rosado Oscuro.
How strong is Montecristo Espada? Cigar Aficionado has rated Espada sizes medium (Guard, Oscuro Ricasso, Estoque) to medium-full (Quillon, Oscuro Guard, Oscuro Quillon). Altadis calls it bold and spicy.
Has Espada made the Cigar Aficionado Top 25? Yes. The Espada Quillon was No. 20 in 2015, at 92 points.
How much is Montecristo Espada? Current prices for every size are in the price table above.
Can I buy a single? Yes. Every Espada is sold as a single or a 5-pack. $9.99 flat shipping, free on orders of $125 or more.
See every Montecristo line on our Montecristo cigars page, or read our Montecristo buying guide.
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