Montecristo No. 4

Origin : Cuba
Format : Petit Corona (Mareva)
Size : 129 x 16.67 mm (5 x 42)
Ring : 42
Hand-Made
Price : ~$6 each
More info about purchasing Montecristo cigars...

After exchanging a few words with Inspector, I decided to review a few cigars that were not hard to find or discontinued. Of course, I decided to start with the most popular cigar in the Habanos S.A catalogue and that is the Montecristo No 4. A friend of mine had just given me one from a box that was “on” so I figured it was a perfect timing.

Appearance :
This is an average looking stick. The wrapper is Colorado and there are very few veins in it. There isn’t any oil or shine on this particular sample. Although it is nice to see a cigar with these characteristics, it doesn’t imply it will be exceptional.

Construction :
The construction is on par with the popularity of this cigar. Well made, a little firm but not too much. The foot seems a little loose but that could be from transportation.

I punched it with a tiny punch cutter and the draw is stellar.

Flavor :
This cigar has a strong Cuban tobacco taste at cold.

1st third
The cigar is producing a good amount of pungent smoke. There is a slight grass taste to this smooth and lush smoke. When my friend said they were on, he wasn’t lying; these aren’t your typical Montecristo 4’s. This one is a light medium body, has a sweet type of taste, like a salty caramel. And it is excellent. The end of the first third’s taste is turning to a sweet cherry.

2nd third
We continue with the same sweetness lingering in the back and it is followed by toast flavours. The body is going over light medium to medium. The aftertaste is impeccable. It leaves a satisfying sweet salty caramel taste. The burn is a bit all over the place. I need to correct it but I don’t mind. This cigar is giving me so much that I can’t complain.

3rd third
There are some ins and outs of mushrooms. That is surprising but the flavour is clear and defined. First time I get something like this. It has slowed down and is back to light medium body. At the very end, I get the cherry flavour back in again for a classy finish. This is a cigar you want to smoke all the way until the end. There is a nicotine rush right before I let it die in the ashtray.

Value :
Well if every box would be filled with great cigars like this one I would have rated this one 5 stars but they are well known for their roller coaster quality. Once you spot a box that is “on”, jump on it.

Overall Rating :
This was the best Montecristo 4 I have ever had. Once you try one of these and they are at their best, you can see why these have such a cult following. I wish this example was long like a double corona but, like every great cigar, they always finish too quickly.

This post was written by Simon, a cigar aficionado from Montreal, Canada. Click here for his bio, latest articles and more information.