Monte by Montecristo is a remake that harks back to what Altadis did with Romeo y Julieta in 2012 (you might recall a Romeo by Romeo y Julieta earned our No. 3 spot in the Top 25 that year). The box is sleek and modern, with a new take on the Montecristo name. But the real change lies in the cigar itself.

Where most Dominican Montecristos are mild, with Connecticut-seed wrappers, Monte by Montecristo Jacopo is blended with Ecuador Havana wrapper, Dominican filler and two binder leaves, one Dominican olor, the other Nicaraguan Corojo.

Rated 93 and #9 Best Cigar of 2014. The box-pressed Jacopo (pronounced HAH-coh-poh) No. 2 size cigar has plenty of leather and spice on the palate, with a note of chocolate on the finish. It’s a delicious new take on a celebrated old cigar brand.

A well-made pyramid that draws well and leaves a gray ash. The smoke has a sweet cocoa and toffee flavor, with a hint of pepper and an earthy finish. Rated 91

A well-made pyramid that draws well and leaves a gray ash. The smoke has a sweet cocoa and toffee flavor, with a hint of pepper and an earthy finish. Rated 91

A very well-made, medium-bodied cigar with a creamy character and flavor notes of leather, light spices and a toasted butter finish. Rated 89.

A very well-made, medium-bodied cigar with a creamy character and flavor notes of leather, light spices and a toasted butter finish. Rated 89.

A medium bodied Lonsdale with a slightly firm draw but good amount of leather, spice and wood on the palate. Well balanced and complex. Rated 90

A medium bodied Lonsdale with a slightly firm draw but good amount of leather, spice and wood on the palate. Well balanced and complex. Rated 90

The Montecristo Classic No. 3 is a solidly rolled corona, a toasty smoke with coffee notes and some intermittent citrus flavors. The finish is earthy. Rated 89.

The Montecristo Classic No. 3 is a solidly rolled corona, a toasty smoke with coffee notes and some intermittent citrus flavors. The finish is earthy. Rated 89.

A silky, smooth wrapper. The cigar has strong woody notes, with a smooth, long finish. A medium-bodied cigar. Rated 90 by Cigar Insider.

A silky, smooth wrapper. The cigar has strong woody notes, with a smooth, long finish. A medium-bodied cigar. Rated 90 by Cigar Insider.

A tan, almost yellow cigar with an even burn. Straightforward wood and spice flavors precede a ginger finish. Mild to medium bodied. Rated 87

A tan, almost yellow cigar with an even burn. Straightforward wood and spice flavors precede a ginger finish. Mild to medium bodied. Rated 87

A golden-brown cigar with an even burn and rich aroma. Charred wood and earth notes come through before a spicy, leathery finish. Good strength and balance. Rated 89

A golden-brown cigar with an even burn and rich aroma. Charred wood and earth notes come through before a spicy, leathery finish. Good strength and balance. Rated 89

A large cigar with a lightly colored wrapper. It draws well for a big cigar and is mostly creamy with nutty and ginger notes. Nice flavor for a mild- to medium-bodied cigar. Rated 89

A large cigar with a lightly colored wrapper. It draws well for a big cigar and is mostly creamy with nutty and ginger notes. Nice flavor for a mild- to medium-bodied cigar. Rated 89

Beautifully tan and well made, this lonsdale produces a toasty aroma. Medium-bodied flavors include roasted nuts and wood. The finish has hints of anise and spice. Rated 90 by Cigar Insider.

Beautifully tan and well made, this lonsdale produces a toasty aroma. Medium-bodied flavors include roasted nuts and wood. The finish has hints of anise and spice. Rated 90 by Cigar Insider.

Well made with a healthy-looking wrapper, this cigar has an excellent draw and burn. Flavors range from sweet and nutty to leafy and dry. A good medium-bodied cigar. Rated 88

Well made with a healthy-looking wrapper, this cigar has an excellent draw and burn. Flavors range from sweet and nutty to leafy and dry. A good medium-bodied cigar. Rated 88

Attractive, with lovely oil and texture, this cigar draws well with a sweet aroma. It's creamy, smooth and woody, with a medium to full body. Rated 91.

Attractive, with lovely oil and texture, this cigar draws well with a sweet aroma. It's creamy, smooth and woody, with a medium to full body. Rated 91.

Silky with a nice cap, this torpedo produces a smooth, woody aroma. Flavors are also woody, with a touch of leather and sweetness. Mild to medium in body. Rated 88

Silky with a nice cap, this torpedo produces a smooth, woody aroma. Flavors are also woody, with a touch of leather and sweetness. Mild to medium in body. Rated 88

A tan, almost yellow cigar with an uneven burn. Straightforward wood and spice flavors precede a ginger finish. Mild to medium bodied. Rated 87

A tan, almost yellow cigar with an uneven burn. Straightforward wood and spice flavors precede a ginger finish. Mild to medium bodied. Rated 87

A golden corona gorda with a silky wrapper. Along with a toasty aroma, it has flavors of wood and leather that open up nicely after about an inch is smoked. Rated 89

A golden corona gorda with a silky wrapper. Along with a toasty aroma, it has flavors of wood and leather that open up nicely after about an inch is smoked. Rated 89