Montecristo No.4 ASU SEP 17 (MRW2)

[Tdm_86]

Another Montecristo review weekend, I could not resist! I did the Double Edmundo last time because it can be a divisive cigar. This time I opted for maybe the most loved Montecristo globally, with the iconic No.4. This is the cigar that started it all for me. I’ve had some stellar No.4’s, I’ve had some absolute mongrels and everything in between. Overall, they have been a staple in my humidor, who doesn’t love a good Petit Corona? This is the last one from a box of ASU SEP 17, that has mostly been good to me. Let’s see how this one stacks up.

Pre-light:

The wrapper is just how I like a Montecristo, coffee & cream with a slight tooth and sheen. It smells of raisins and cedar. Well constructed, medium pack that’s consistently filled without any soft spots. The pre-light draw tastes of hay and raisins.

First third:

On light up, I am immediately greeted by a familiar draw flavor of milk chocolate and there’s a spicy quality to the smoke. Great draw, I went with a V-cut on this one. As it warms up, a little creaminess gets added to the spice while the milk chocolate lasts well into the finish. The retrohale doesn’t add anything flavor wise. Mild to medium body at most. Pretty good start, but not quite interesting enough to really captivate me.

Second third:

It is starting to pick up in body, the milk chocolate has intensified and gets mixed with a defined coffee flavor. Now on the retrohale, the raisin note I always seem to find in Montecristo appears in full force. Every so often I get a hint of vanilla, but nothing too defined. 

Final third:

As we move into the last portion of the stick, the burn needs a little correction. Flavors are getting less pronounced and once past the band only an acrid nuttiness remains. Quite a disappointing ending to an otherwise excellent cigar. We’ll file this one under: middle of the road.

Conclusion:

Quite an enjoyable cigar if we count out the last portion. I have to detract some points for that mongrel final third and the slow start. It was a very good cigar overall, but I’ve smoked so many of them that I can safely say this was just a good one, not a great one. I only took the one picture.

87/100