Monte 3 vs 4

[SaintLuis]

So, after the LFTH this week, I got stuck trying to decide between the #3 and #4 MCs. They're basically the same vitola size wise, but for 1/2" in length. Generally I've read tough reviews of the #3 on a QC/QA basis.

My brother has had some luck with the 4s, so with that and the better price, I opted for those.

So, now after it's too late, what's the difference? Can some people with regular experience with both opine? The photos of both looked fantastic (though i liked the color of the 4s a bit better), so I really had trouble deciding. Hopefully I chose right!

For the record, most of my MC experience is with #2s, Petit Edmundos and Edmundos,

The #4s

The #3s

Thanks!

Saint

[ogus]

Dunno but my recent Montie 4's are the most consistently good cigar in the humidor!

[ogus]

Haven't heard much on #3. Someone recently raved about #5 though.

[actzz541]

Its all subjective, but the 3's Ive come across and have tucked away are my favorite over the 4's or 5's.. Pretty sure Im in a minority. Not sure you could wrong with either of those boxes last night!

[potpest]

I've not had the 3's but my understanding is that the flavour profile for the 3's and 4's are very similar. I wouldn't be worried about quality control if your buying from LFTW.

[mikek]

With me the #4 is one of my go to cigars,those and the #2 for me are the cream of the brand when there on! Although the Edmundo is also A great cigar!

[SaintLuis]

Okay. Good. Glad to see you chimed in actzz541, after seeing you respond in the other thread.

I'd try the 5s. 39 is on the smaller end of the RG span I like though. Usually, I prefer them that skinny in a minuto size. 42 is kind of a sweet spot.

Be interesting to see how they do young, given most of my MC experiences that were noteworthy were on sticks with some age on them.

Ogus, do you remember what box code you had?

With me the #4 is one of my go to cigars,those and the #2 for me are the cream of the brand when there on! Although the Edmundo is also A great cigar!

Yeah. I've had my socks blown off with the Edmundo a couple times. Wicked smoke. #2s are so damn hit/miss lately.

[subport]

Haven't heard much on #3. Someone recently raved about #5 though.

Could be me. I am going through a box from '12. More than halfway down, 2 sticks were wind tunnelling otherwise great great smoke.

Meanwhile smoking monte 4 as well from '12 and '13 boxes. The 12 is way darker. Both of them phenomenal but I am on the dark side if it comes to Monte.

[CaptainQuintero]

Just replied to you in the LFTH thread, didn't see this!

The #3 is one one of my favourite cigars period, the seem strange due to the price jump for so little extra tobacco but they are delicious. In fact the nicest ones I've had were the most ugly and pale ones!

Far more fruity than other Monte for me, quite hard to describe them beyond they seem to be a slight sidestep from traditional Montecristo flavours, unmistakably Monte but with a refined note and fruity twist. if you like Montecristo you will enjoy the #3 I'm sure, if you don't like Monte then they might be sufficiently different that you'd like them.

Yes, I'm a fan by the way

[ogus]

#4

MUL

ENE 14

these rocked

I think Czar was giving these away on 12:12

[rmill3r]

#3 is actually the only Monte I've really enjoyed. #4s are classic but allll over the place, and I've only had one #2 but it was very meh. I'm absolutely willing to retry the #2 because of how esteemed it is, but the #3 is the only one that's taken the cake for me. I got some blissful chocolate and milk coffee flavors out of it with a wonderful baked goods aroma. Mmm..

[sheppsea]

I prefer the 3s - I think they're a really great smoke whereas the 4s are a bit meh for me

[CUBANO]

Have a HQ box from here POU-12/12 that are the bomb. You will enjoy them.

[Smallclub]

To me they taste quite similar but the 3 is more balanced – just like any corona compared to its mareva little brother.

[rmill3r]

To me they taste quite similar but the 3 is more balanced – just like any corona compared to its mareva little brother.

Any other coronas you would suggest that are smoking well now?

[CaptainQuintero]

Beyond the Monte #3 there are only the QDO Corona, Bolivar Tubo #1 and RyJ Cedros de Luxe #2 left in the whole catalogue that are Coronas.

Saying that, they are all very nice and reasonably consistent!

[dvickery]

this seems to have diverged into a couple of questions ...

monty#3 vs monty#4 ... 9 times out of 10 i would reach for a monty#4 .

best coronas just now .

q'do coronas ... beyond belief in a cigar only recently out of its youth .

bolivar coronas ... good luck finding some .

derrek

[SaintLuis]

Nah, just one discussion.

Thanks for all the comments guys. Sounds like I couldn't really miss, and I did alright.

[sactochris]

I love the #3.

[ogus]

I may have to buy #3 now. Thanks SaintLuis

[garbandz]

#3 are made under less pressure to produce,and I prefer them to the # 4.......

I like the #1 even better than the #3............

[polarbear]

With the exception of the Open Line (don't even get me started on that) I'm yet to find anything from Montecristo that doesn't deliver (provided you're not getting sub par boxes)

[canadianbeaver]

My favorite cigar of all time... Monte # 1.

3 or 4? Not sure, too focused on above.

[PigFish]

Monte's are generally over produced (MHO). For me, there has been better choices in the 1, 3, and 4 sizes, all 42 ring, cervantes, coronas, and marevas.

The coronas is my favorite size cigar. As stated, try finding a broad range of these cigars and you are left looking for discontinued smokes. To the OP question, I prefer the #3. Unfortunately the #3 is sub-par when compared (a generalization and not an absolute) to other coronas that were less produced. The Diplomatico #3 for instance was a far more reliable coronas (generally, MHO).

I have always loved PC's. With that in mind I would occasionally find sales of the yellow cardboard box MC #4's for reasonable prices. Not all aficionados want to store cardboard boxed cigars, but for me, it is no problem to get an old SLB Punch RS12 box (for example) or other more favorable living space and simply transfer the cigars to that.

I don't really like to generalize the condemnation of a particular cigar. I do see them as individuals. The MC line however suffers from over production. Any cigar in the line can be really good, or pretty bad. It just depends on your luck of the draw… If generalizing, the MC has been a very inconsistent PC for me and I would drop one for a RG PC generally. The MC #4 is a second string player in my book!

M-1, 3, 4 or 5's can all be great cigars. For me, they have historically been second choice cigars to that of lesser brand names. I far prefer a D-1, RG Lonsdale, ERdM Lonsdale, Upmann Lonsdale… to the Monte, just as an example but off topic…

Cheers, Piggy