Montecristo Linea 1935 Dumas & Maltés Cigars

Released in 2017 following an announcement at the XIX Festival del Habano, the Línea 1935 promised to be Montecristo’s strongest cigars on the market. Indeed, an exciting range that consists of three different vitolas, we were delighted when Montefortuna Cigars sent us a sample for a review.

In this article, you will discover the Montecristo Línea 1935 as we review both the Maltés and Dumas vitolas using the following considerations:

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Overview

  • Brand: Montecristo
  • Range: Línea 1935
  • Reviewed Vitolas: 5.125 x 49 Dumas [Robusto], 6 x 53 Maltés [Toro]
  • Filler: Vuelta Abajo, Pinar del Río [Cuba]
  • Binder: Vuelta Abajo, Pinar del Río [Cuba]
  • Wrapper: Vuelta Abajo, Pinar del Río [Cuba]
  • Factory: Romeo y Julieta [Havana, Cuba]
  • Handmade: Yes
  • Body: Medium – Full
  • Estimated Smoking Time: 90  Minutes
  • Pricing: $455 – $513 / 20-Cigar Box [Buy Now]

Featuring fine tobacco from Vuelta Abajo in Cuba’s Pinar del Río region, this seeks to be Montecristo’s fullest body cigar yet. Its vitolas consist of a Dumas Robusto, a Maltés Toro, and Leyenda Gordo, which are respectively named after the Count of Montecristo’s author, hero, and “legend” in Spanish.

Montecristo Linea 1935 Dumas In Old French Town

Buy Montecristo Línea 1935 Now!

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Montecristo Línea 1935 Look & Feel

  • Wrapper Hue: Café Latte
  • Rolling Consistency: Mostly Even
  • Spring: Supple
  • Aromas: Cocoa, Cardamon, Vanilla

Montecristo Linea 1935 Dumas & Maltés On BoxFor a supposedly full-bodied cigar, the Línea 1935 is surprisingly pale with a refreshing wrapper that’s reminiscent of a café latte or milk chocolate. However, most particularly seasoned enthusiasts will tell you that it’s mostly due to market expectations that we associate full-bodied flavours with dark wrappers.

Although the wrapper leaf gives off a healthy sheen of oil, it’s quite matte and textured to the touch without being toothy. Meanwhile, there are some visible veins and you can make out some soft spots throughout its construction.

Furthermore, the spring is quite supple and soft on occasion too. In terms of aromas, I experienced a spice cabinet of notes including rich cocoa and soft vanilla with some unexpected cardamon. Indeed, not at all what you’d expect from a full-bodied cigar!

Montecristo Línea 1935 Review

As is the case with all our cigar reviews, we smoked at least three in order to get the most accurate picture possible of the full experience. In this case, I enjoyed two Dumas vitolas as well as two Maltés cigars. Therefore, I’ll be able to compare the two throughout this review.

Pre-Lighting Experience

  • Draw: Some Resistance
  • Aromas: Cedar, Copper, Grapefruit

Despite some soft spots, each Línea 1935 tested had a comfortable draw that didn’t offer too much resistance. Furthermore, the dry draw offered a very alluring bouquet of cedar with hints of bitter grapefruit zest and a metallic note of copper that tingled the lips.

That said, the spices from the wrapper’s aromas were also present and I could pick out a few hints of nutmeg and clove in the aftertaste too.

1st Third Smoking Experience

  • Notes: Bay Leaf, Cocoa Nibs, Eucalyptus

Montecristo Linea 1935 Maltés First ThirdThe Línea 1935 starts with a hearty smoke production and full crescendo of flavour. However, it’s once again not what you would expect from a full-bodied cigar. In fact, I’m starting to realise that I should be thinking of the smoking experience as “full bodied” relative to Cuba’s usual offerings.

Halfway through the first third, I find that the most overt flavour consists of the dominant bitterness and mustiness of cocoa nibs. The is swiftly followed by fragrant bay leaf that creates an overall woody yet savoury profile.

Otherwise, the retrohale reveals surprisingly little else save for a very faint hint of eucalyptus. Overall, first third is surprisingly subtle with a character more akin to a medium-bodied cigar.

2nd Third Smoking Experience

  • Notes: Citrus, Smoked Beech, Ground Coffee

Approaching the second third, I start to become concerned as the flavours begin to become somewhat latent, leaving only a creamy aroma. However, this soon picks up to reveal a surprisingly citrus profile.

The palate is stimulated at the front and lateral rear, which produces a build-up of pleasant salivation. The citrus note reflects this nicely and there’s a touch of smoked beech that adds a savoury facet to the second third.

Between the dominating citrus and the smoked beech, all that’s missing is the salmon! Instead, however, there’s an alluring touch of fragrant ground coffee that is both present on the palate and the retrohale.

Final Third Smoking Experience

  • Notes: Lapsang Souchong, Black Pepper, Grape Seed

Montecristo Linea 1935 Dumas Final ThirdWhile I can still pick up notes of citrus in the retrohale, the Línea 1935 goes through something of an identity crisis once into the final third. Instead, it develops an overall black pepper characteristic with notes of smokey tea that’s reminiscent of Lapsang Souchong.

Similarly, the palate stimulation is very much focused onto the centre of the tongue and creates a drying sensation that contrasts with the previous third.

Nevertheless, it remains a pleasant experience with a pungent attitude and thick, creamy smoke. However, compared to earlier, it may seem a bit of an odd ending to the story.

Overall Burn

  • Ash Backbone: Strong
  • Burn Angle: Varied
  • Temperature: Cool
  • Draw: Some Resistance
  • Final Smoking Time: 90 Minutes

Montecristo Linea 1935 Dumas BurnNeedless to say, the Línea 1935 profile wasn’t quite the full-bodied experience up until the final third. Still, it can be arguably considered fuller than most Cuban cigars.

Each of the cigars smoked offered an impressive ash backbone. As you can see in the photos, I was able to enjoy some pretty large stacks of ash before letting them fall off.

Similarly, they generally offered a consistent burn. While there may have been one or two moments that needed touching up, this was usually towards the beginning and only really on the Dumas vitola. Once halfway passed the first third, the burn stabilised quite nicely.

Furthermore, the smoke was cool and pleasant with a nice resistance of the draw. In fact, none of the Línea 1935 cigars smoked featured a tied or loose construction.

Finally, the overall smoking time came to around 90 minutes for the Maltés and only slightly less for the Dumas.

Ideal Pairings With A Montecristo Línea 1935

Montecristo Linea 1935 Dumas & Forest MountainAlthough I’m usually the one to try and come up with exciting and original pairings with my cigars, I actually found that this was something best smoked alone. Indeed, I found it a much more pleasant experience without any distractions.

Moreover, it has a somewhat fragile character that I found was easily smothered by other beverages and snacks. On one occasion, I paired it with an espresso, which worked quite nicely for the most part. However, it didn’t provide me with that usual cigar and coffee satisfaction.

Similarly, it didn’t fare as well as I hoped with any of my whiskies and rums. That said, I’m starting to ask myself why I didn’t try it with an Italian Grappa as this may have been an excellent neutral choice that would extend its flavour.

Instead, I found it a wonderful contemplative smoke, which I’ll touch on more further down.

Overall Experience

Montecristo Linea 1935 Maltés & BoxMontecristo’s Línea 1935 come in a subtle wooden box in a brown lacquer. All the golden decorations and lettering are glued onto the box, which results in a elegant embossed effect.

As for the cigar itself, it features three bands. A fleur de lys on the foot, the range and the vitola in the centre in gold and white, and then the brand’s main band. What’s interesting to see is that Montecristo have visibly updated the logo slightly, which gives it a bolder and modern feel.

In terms of pricing, the Línea 1935 aren’t cheap but this is a premium cigar, after all. They retail for about $25 each and a box will set you back around $500. At the time of writing this review, however, Montefortuna Cigars are offering the Maltés on sale at $513 instead of $559 for a box of twenty cigars.

When Should You Smoke A Montecristo Línea 1935,?

Montecristo Linea 1935 Dumas On Riverside BeachWhen I first clasped eyes on the elegantly presented Montecriso Línea 1935, I immediately thought that this would be an excellent cigar for social gatherings and events. However, after trying a few, I found that it was far from the case.

Nevertheless, I’m not saying that this is a cigar that lacks sophistication. On the contrary, it tells a wonderfully complex albeit unexpected story. Instead, I would actually argue that this is one of those contemplative cigars that are best enjoyed with your own thoughts.

In fact, my favourite moment with this cigar was while taking a walk along the river in the Gorges du Tarn in the south of France. When I came back from my holiday, I enjoyed the others at my desk during the evening with some music, a good book, or even no distractions at all.

Indeed, this was a cigar that was a wonderful companion that helped my wade my way through my thoughts and find inspiration.

Closing Thoughts

If you’re looking for a full-bodied cigar, this may not be quite what you would be expecting. Nevertheless, it’s a wonderful insight into what one of Cuba’s most celebrated brands interpret as such.

While the Línea 1935 may not be a particularly revolutionary of game-changing cigar, it is by no means a disappointment and provides a reliable and enjoyable smoking experience. As mentioned above Montefortuna Cigars currently offer the Maltés vitola on sale so this may be the opportunity to try them out!

"An elegant and enticing cigar While perhaps not delivering the promise of a veritably full-bodied experience, the Linea 1935 is still an impressive blend."
Bespoke Unit Rating: ★★★★

Further Reading

If you enjoyed reading this cigar review, feel fry to check out more related content:

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