Montecristo No. 4 2014 Easter Review Competition

[CoCigarSmoker]

Montecristo No. 4

This was the last “smaller” vitola I had and figured I’d have to smoke this one rather quickly in order to make it to work on time. That being said I knew no matter the time constraint I had to get one last cigar in for the week. I must confess that I just love Montecristo and generally can’t get enough of the different vitolas. Needless to say this was my first time with this vitola in particular and I was very excited to see what it was about.

Construction

Upon picking this fine stick up out of my humidor I was immediately greeted by a warm medium brown wrapper and a cigar that appeared to be firm to the touch from cap to foot. The wrapper itself had some minor veins but nothing in comparison to the huge gnarly vein the previous day’s Fonseca Delicias. Feeling how well packed and firm this stick was I was excited to see what this cigar had in mind for me today.

Pre-light

Guys, get this stick…JUST DO IT! The cap was swiftly cut from the stick and I couldn’t control myself during the cold draw. What a wonderful bouquet of Montecristo goodness. Big notes of Hazelnut, earth, and leather coat the tongue and there is a hint of hay that follows you as you fumble for your lighter.

First third

This cigar immediately starts off medium in body; with larger than life notes from the Cold draw that jump out at you like the first time you went to an IMAX theater. This cigar has a complexity to it that includes deep, rich, and savory notes of leather and earth that are balanced and cut by a subtle bit of hazelnut and spring hay. The ash is holding on nicely and the draw of this cigar, while slightly firm, is wonderfully pleasant. The cigar is producing a good volume of silky creamy smoke and the draw while slightly firm is just about perfect for me. Additionally, the cigar is burning very even and I’d damn near say it is razor sharp thus far.

Second Third

Ah, what a welcome change from yesterday’s Fonseca. The ash of this bueatiful No. 4 is still holding on as we cross into the second third. I must say this cigar reminds me so much of deep earth and leather. The cigar is covered in cream but all together this is a very farmland bouquet or flavor profile. The hazelnut has settled down a bit and you are left with rustic creamy flavors of toasted tobacco, earth, leather, and savory barnyard hay. Wonderful cigar and a welcome medium bodied stick with flawless construction thus far. Very enjoyable!

Final Third

I hate being pressed for time but unfortunately that is that nature of the game when smoking before work. I’m just about to make it into the final third and I’m only about 45 minutes into this cigar (which for me is QUICK). I’m not a fan of smoking this fast but I must confess there have been no moments of harshness or pent up heat as of yet. I’ll know more as I make it through the cigar to the nub but as of now I suppose one could smoke a cigar much faster than I do and still have a wonderful flavor profile without worrying about harshness, nicotine, or bitter flavors crowding the palate.

The flavor profile as pretty much stayed the same but the final third is bringing one new dimension to the table, wood…earthy cedar that just coats the tongue. I haven’t had much hazelnut since the middle of the second third. That being said I feel that the level of heavy whipping cream has replaced that flavor and I must confess, it’s wonderful!

I will say that as I approach the final ¾” of this fine cigar I can tell it has become slightly more harsh and full of nicotine than when I normally take much more time to smoke. As I sit at the ¾” mark the total smoking time is right at 1 hr. 10 min. This is probably the fastest I will ever smoke this vitola and I must give all you fine gentleman props for being able to blast through a stick this size in under an hour.

Overall

This cigar was wonderful and just what I would come to expect and long for from Montecristo. I’m definitely looking forward to scooping up as many boxes of No. 4’s as I can. I feel like an idiot not grabbing the 4’s from the recent 24:24 but alas the money in the bank account just wouldn’t allow. Coming from someone very new to consistently smoking CC’s please do yourselves a favor, if you are new to this game get a fiver of these guys and just sit back and enjoy!!!! The construction, flavor, draw, and well EVERYTHING about this cigar were wonderful and I’d give this stick an overall rating of 90.

[zrotfus]

Excellent review! Can't wait to try one. Fortunately for me (and unfortunately for my bank account) I couldn't resist these over the long Easter weekend's 48:48....

In love with the PSP 2s I've tried, excited to see how these compare.

[CoCigarSmoker]

You're a lucky man my friend. I can't wait to save up enough for a box of the 4's and 2's....or maybe 5 boxes of each, depends on what I can sneak past the wife haha. I need a second job lol.

Cheers,

Seth

[puromaniac]

Nice. I just enjoyed the heck out of a Monte 4 I smoked yesterday from ULA Nov 13.

[moryc]

I have a box of these in my stash waiting for the 30 day resting period to pass. Can't wait to light one up.

[dflan82]

Great review again Seth! You could start your own cigar review blog at this point

[JohnS]

This cigar was wonderful and just what I would come to expect and long for from Montecristo. I’m definitely looking forward to scooping up as many boxes of No. 4’s as I can. I feel like an idiot not grabbing the 4’s from the recent 24:24 but alas the money in the bank account just wouldn’t allow.

I was just thinking this from the last 48:48 weekend sales as that beautiful image of a quality box of Montecristo No.4's kept staring me in the face everytime I'd visit the topic, in contrast to the stark reminder that the hole in my wallet was clawing on my mind!.. C'est la vie. I'm glad you hit a quality Montecristo No.4 stick Seth, thanks again for your review.

[ogus]

Best cigar of 2014 for me.

[CoCigarSmoker]

Great review again Seth! You could start your own cigar review blog at this point

Thanks Dan I don't think I'm quite there yet though, maybe in a few years lol.

Thanks for all the kind words.

Seth

[leftimatic]

Nice review! I have been enjoying a box of 4's since the summer I too need about 1 1/2 hours to truly enjoy these guys. Perfect size for a sunny spring day!

[madandana]

Been smoking the heck out of these. Becoming one of my go-to sticks.

[Optic101]

Very nice review Seth. If they are like this they a great. Have a couple 2014 boxes from Rob which are smoking flawless.

[JMacSr]

awesome, I have one from 09 in the humidor that's about to be sacrificed

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[Axl]

awesome, I have one from 09 in the humidor that's about to be sacrificed

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Hey...that guy looks familiar...glad it was mighty tasty

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