Montecristo Brillantes Year of the Dragon 2024 - 18 cigars

Montecristo Brillantes Year of the Dragon 2024 - 18 cigars [5” x 53]

Commemorative release to honor the Year of the Dragon

• • Medium to full-bodied cigar with notes of cedar, nuts, caramel, spice, and leather
• • Unique new “Venerables” format (128 mm x 53) crafted with impeccable Cuban construction
  

Produced in limited quantities, this collector’s piece is a future legend not to be missed

Presentation:

The Montecristo Brillantes Year of the Dragon 2024 comes in a contoured red lacquered luxury boîte nature box of 18 cigars, decorated with golden dragon motifs and equipped with an NFC-enabled authenticity chip. Habanos packing code SPB-S-n-n-n-18

Dimensions:

Length: 128 mm (5 inches)

Ring Gauge: 53

Shape: 

Robusto

Appearance:

The Montecristo Brillantes Year of the Dragon 2024 comes in a dazzling high-gloss, contoured red lacquered box, adorned with golden dragon motifs that symbolize prosperity and strength. This striking presentation is far removed from Montecristo’s traditional yellow dress and elevates the release into a true collector’s piece. Each box contains 18 cigars and is NFC-enabled for authenticity verification. The cigar itself measures 128 mm by 53 ring gauge (Venerables vitola), a brand-new format for Montecristo. Its wrapper is a silky, slightly oily medium-dark brown, rustic yet elegant, with barely visible veins and a perfectly applied triple cap. In hand, it feels compact and substantial, exuding the promise of a luxurious smoke.

Smoking Notes:

Before lighting up

On the cold aroma, the Brillantes greets the smoker with rich notes of cedar, barnyard sweetness, and subtle dried fruits. A touch of earthiness and spice lingers, revealing the depth of the aged Cuban tobacco inside. Placed on the lips, the cigar offers a faint sweetness, layered with delicate hints of spice and natural tobacco. The cold draw is easy and smooth, carrying whispers of nuts and herbs, raising anticipation for what lies ahead.

Burn/ Draw

After a clean cut, the cigar lights effortlessly, revealing an impeccable draw with just the right resistance. Smoke production is generous and creamy, coating the palate with flavor while the burn line remains steady. Touch-ups are rarely needed, a testament to the craftsmanship behind this limited edition. The ash is firm and holds impressively, reflecting the quality of its construction.

Initial third:

The Brillantes opens with a harmonious balance of cream and sweetness. Notes of toasted nuts, caramel, and soft cedar dominate the early profile, interwoven with gentle spice—cinnamon and nutmeg in particular. The smoke is velvety smooth, medium-bodied, and aromatic, with a floral elegance that lingers. The ash stacks beautifully, holding well into the first transitions, while the draw remains flawless.

Middle third:

As the cigar progresses, the flavor profile deepens. Almonds replace the earlier nutty sweetness, while caramel shifts to a more decadent toffee richness. Pepper and cedar begin to emerge with more intensity, layered over hints of fruit and earth. The body moves toward medium-full, yet the balance remains intact. Smoke output is thick and creamy, never harsh, while the ash continues to hold firmly, allowing a cool burn.

Final third:

In the last act, the Brillantes reveals its full complexity. Spice intensifies—black pepper and warm baking spices—yet the underlying sweetness remains, keeping the experience refined. Leather and earthy undertones become more prominent, giving the cigar gravitas. Retrohales add a mix of cream and spice, delivering a long, memorable finish. The burn remains consistent right to the end, allowing the smoker to savor it almost to the fingertips.

The Montecristo Brillantes Year of the Dragon 2024 is a stunning limited edition—visually captivating, flawlessly constructed, and rich in flavor. Right out of the box, it offers a luxurious smoking journey, and with 2–3 years of aging, it promises to develop even greater harmony and depth. With only 18,888 boxes available worldwide, this is both a connoisseur’s treasure and a collector’s future classic.

Smoking time:

60 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes