Sun of a Gun Cigars & Spirits
Montecristo Espada Oscuro Cigars
Montecristo Espada Oscuro cigars from our walk-in humidor in Yuma, Arizona, in four sizes: the 5 x 54 Ricasso, the 6 x 50 Guard, the 7 x 56 Quillon and the 6 x 60 Magnum Especial. It is an all-Nicaraguan Montecristo, made by the Plasencia family in Estelí for Altadis U.S.A., under a dark Nicaraguan wrapper that Altadis calls Habano Rosado Oscuro. Cigar Aficionado scored the Quillon 93 in August 2024. These are U.S.-market Montecristo cigars, not the Cuban Montecristo, which cannot be sold in the United States. Choose a single or a 5-pack on each product page.
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About Montecristo Espada Oscuro Cigars
The Espada Oscuro blend
| Wrapper | Nicaraguan; Altadis calls it Habano Rosado Oscuro |
|---|---|
| Binder and filler | Nicaraguan; apart from the wrapper, "the same tobaccos as the original release" (Cigar Aficionado) |
| Made | Estelí, Nicaragua, by Nestor Andrés Plasencia, who also supplied the tobacco (Cigar Aficionado) |
| Created by | Rafael Nodal of Tabacalera USA with Pedro Ventura of Altadis's Grupo de Maestros |
| Strength | Medium-full in Cigar Aficionado's ratings of the Quillon and Cigar Insider's of the Guard |
| Launched | 2019; Cigar Aficionado reported in April 2019 that it was expected to ship in May |
| Box | 10 cigars (Cigar Aficionado); we sell singles and 5-packs |
How Espada Oscuro came about
The original Montecristo Espada reached stores in 2014, the first Montecristo with all of its tobacco from Nicaragua, made by the Plasencia family; its 7 x 56 Quillon was No. 20 on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 for 2015. In April 2019 Cigar Aficionado reported that Espada Oscuro would follow, "a cigar covered in a dark Nicaraguan wrapper," built by Rafael Nodal, head of product capability for Altadis's parent company, Tabacalera USA, with Pedro Ventura. Cigar Coop reported that the wrapper was a special leaf found at the Plasencia factory. The launch came in three sizes, the Ricasso, Guard and Quillon, at $13.27 to $14.61 a cigar, and the 6 x 60 Magnum Especial began as a single-retailer exclusive before going to other shops in August 2021.
Ratings and tasting notes
Quillon, 7 x 56: 93 points from Cigar Aficionado in August 2024, rated medium-full: "a broad balance of earth, wood, leather and dark chocolate" with a hint of licorice, and an even draw and burn. The magazine had scored it 90 in December 2019, finding hickory and earth with touches of clove and citrus under an oily wrapper, and 87 in February 2022, with a thread of anise, leather and semisweet chocolate.
Ricasso, 5 x 54: 89 points from Cigar Aficionado in February 2020, a primarily woody smoke with coffee bean and herbal notes and an open draw.
Guard, 6 x 50: 86 points from Cigar Insider in August 2019, rated medium-full: earthy smoke turning tart and herbal, with a charry finish.
Magnum Especial, 6 x 60: we have no rating on file for the Oscuro Magnum Especial.
Espada Oscuro sizes and prices
Prices as listed in October 2026; each product page shows the current price and live stock.
| Cigar | Size | Single | 5-pack | Per cigar in the 5-pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Espada Oscuro Ricasso | 5 x 54 | $18.99 | $89.95 | $17.99 |
| Espada Oscuro Guard | 6 x 50 | $15.99 | $72.95 | $14.59 |
| Espada Oscuro Quillon | 7 x 56 | $19.99 | $90.95 | $18.19 |
| Espada Oscuro Magnum Especial | 6 x 60 | $19.99 | $94.95 | $18.99 |
Two 5-packs clear the $125 line for free shipping. When a size is out of stock, you can pre-order it on its product page; it ships as soon as it becomes available, from a few days up to 12 months. Limited releases show Sold Out with a Notify me sign-up instead.
Choosing a size
- The top score: the Quillon, 7 x 56, Cigar Aficionado's 93 in 2024.
- The everyday toro: the Guard, 6 x 50, and the lowest-priced Oscuro.
- Short and thick: the Ricasso, 5 x 54.
- The widest: the Magnum Especial, 6 x 60. More 60-ring cigars are on gordo cigars.
Espada or Espada Oscuro
The difference is the wrapper. Altadis lists a 2010 Jalapa Habano wrapper on the original Espada, over a Jalapa binder and filler from Jalapa, Ometepe and Condega; the Oscuro keeps those tobaccos under its darker leaf, Cigar Aficionado says. We carry the original in the 6 x 50 Guard and the 6 x 60 Magnum Especial, and the limited Estoque No. 2 torpedo; every Espada size is on Montecristo Espada, and every Montecristo line on Montecristo cigars.
The sword names
Espada is Spanish for sword, and each size takes a part of one: the guard shields the hand, the quillon is the crossbar arm of the guard, and the ricasso is the unsharpened shoulder of the blade just above it.
What to pour with Espada Oscuro
Altadis publishes no pairing, so these are our house suggestions: a caramel-forward bourbon against the earth and spice, a high-rye bourbon or a rye for the pepper, or an aged rum for the dark chocolate in the Quillon's notes. Our cigar and whiskey pairing guide has more, and in the lounge you can ask the bar for a pour from the spirits menu.
Keeping them fresh
Store them at a steady 65 to 70 percent relative humidity, in a humidor or a sealed bag with a two-way humidity pack. Every order ships with a Boveda humidity pack, and our cigar storage guide covers the rest.
Common questions
Is Montecristo Espada Oscuro Cuban? No. It is a U.S.-market Montecristo from Altadis U.S.A., made entirely from Nicaraguan tobacco by the Plasencia family in Estelí.
What is the Espada Oscuro wrapper? A dark Nicaraguan leaf that Altadis calls Habano Rosado Oscuro; Cigar Coop reported it was a special leaf found at the Plasencia factory.
How strong is Espada Oscuro? Cigar Aficionado rated the Quillon medium-full in 2019, 2022 and 2024, and Cigar Insider rated the Guard medium-full in 2019.
Which Espada Oscuro has scored highest? In the ratings we found, the 7 x 56 Quillon, at 93 points from Cigar Aficionado in August 2024.
What is the difference between Espada and Espada Oscuro? The wrapper. Cigar Aficionado says the Oscuro uses the same tobaccos as the original Espada under a darker Nicaraguan leaf.
When did Espada Oscuro come out? In 2019. Cigar Aficionado reported in April 2019 that it was expected to ship in May, in the Ricasso, Guard and Quillon; the Magnum Especial went to more shops in August 2021.
How much is Montecristo Espada Oscuro? As listed in October 2026, singles run $15.99 (Guard) to $19.99 (Quillon and Magnum Especial), and 5-packs $72.95 to $94.95.
How much is shipping? $9.99 flat shipping, free on orders of $125 or more. Every order ships with a Boveda humidity pack.
Where do Montecristo Espada Oscuro cigars ship from? Our walk-in humidor in Yuma, Arizona, to every state, including San Diego and California, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco and the Bay Area, Santa Barbara and Montecito, Las Vegas and Nevada, Scottsdale and Arizona, Texas, Florida, New York City, the Hamptons, Boston, Princeton and New Jersey, Washington, DC, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Collectors abroad order through a U.S. forwarding address. Every order ships with a Boveda humidity pack.
Where can I buy Montecristo Espada Oscuro cigars online? Right here. Every Montecristo Espada Oscuro cigar we list online is on this page with its current price and live stock, and ships from our walk-in humidor in Yuma, Arizona. Every cigar comes through authorized distribution.
Where can I buy Montecristo Espada Oscuro cigars in Yuma, AZ? At Sun of a Gun Cigars & Spirits, 1651 S Arizona Ave, the official J.C. Newman Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge, with a walk-in humidor and a full bar; see our Yuma cigar lounge page. Call 928-276-3500 to check a size before you visit.
More Montecristo: Espada, Platinum Series, Classic and White Series, or browse every brand we carry, A to Z.
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