Montecristo is the most popular Havana by far. Around half of the cigars exported from Cuba in any one year bear its simple brown and white band. Shortly after Castro came to power, the two families that owned the brand moved to the Canary Islands. Continuity was provided by a legendary figure who remained on the island, Jose Manuel Gonzalez.

Considered in Havana to this day as the finest cigar maker ever and one of the hardest taskmasters of the rollers he supervised, Jose is credited with much of the consistency in quality and unique blending that is characteristic of the brand. It became the firm showbiz favourite and we have chosen the Joyitas which is a lovely small elegant smoke, and the No 4 - both share the Colorado-claro, slightly oily wrappers and delicate aroma and offer a medium to full flavour, spiked with a unique, tangy taste.