Montecristo Double Corona Edición Limitada 2001
A landmark limited edition from the early 2000s
The Montecristo Double Corona EL 2001 ranks among the earliest Ediciones Limitadas Habanos ever issued — part of the programme's inaugural wave and a release that helped define what limited-edition Cuban cigars could be. At 194mm by 49 ring gauge, it is a substantial Prominente Grande, one of the longest formats in the Montecristo catalogue. The 2001 vintage preceded the refinement of the EL programme, meaning this cigar reflects the raw character of its era's Vuelta Abajo harvest. Surviving examples are scarce and warrant serious collector attention.
Specifications
Tasting Notes
Early Ediciones Limitadas developed reputations for assertiveness, and the 2001 Double Corona is no exception in its youth — but age has softened it beautifully. The opening third now presents dried fig, aged cedar, and a dusty cocoa that reads like an antique humidor. Smoke arrives cool thanks to the 194mm length, which gives filler combustion ample runway.
The middle section introduces leather and walnut, and a coffee-ground bitterness anchors the back palate. Pepper surfaces only in the retrohale, having mellowed over two decades. The final third concentrates to espresso and dark earth. Plan on two full hours to do this cigar justice.
Construction & Draw
Twenty-plus years of ageing can alter burn dynamics. A well-stored Double Corona should still draw evenly, but expect some wrapper colour shift and possible bloom — both signs of proper maturation rather than defects. Handle with care; aged capa is brittle when dry.
Pairing Suggestions
A very old oloroso sherry harmonises with the dried-fig and walnut notes. Aged Armagnac is equally compatible. Avoid young spirits; their heat overwhelms the cigar's delicate aged aromatics.
Value Proposition
As an early-era Edición Limitada, the 2001 Double Corona occupies collectible territory. Supply is finite and diminishing as surviving examples are smoked. Provenance and condition drive value — unopened boxes with intact seals command the strongest interest.
About the Brand
Established 1935, Montecristo is the flagship Cuban brand distributed worldwide by Habanos S.A. All leaf comes from the Vuelta Abajo tobacco region. The brand's name honours Dumas' novel as read to the rollers.
Storage
Keep at 62–65% humidity. Higher moisture risks splitting aged wrappers, which have lost elasticity over two decades. Store flat and minimise handling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the 2001 Double Corona part of the first Edición Limitada year? Essentially yes — the EL programme began formally around 2000, making the 2001 release one of the earliest. Early EL cigars are regarded as experimental in character compared to today's standardised programme.
How rare is this cigar now? Very. Over two decades of attrition through consumption means surviving boxes are uncommon. Expect to source through specialist merchants or private collectors with verifiable provenance.
Related Cigars
View our complete Montecristo selection or consider the No. 2. Verify shipping and age verification policies ahead of purchase.
