Deep Dive: Montecristo Number 4

[El Presidente]

Montecristo Number 4 

For many it is the cigar that introduced them to the Cuban cigar world. 

The most sold Cuban cigar in the world. Often derided and overlooked, yet Monte 4 devotees know how good they can be. 

Let's talk Montecristo Number 4 

• Do you like  Montecristo Number 4  
• Where does it stand compared to other similar cigars. 
• Have you noticed a blend/flavour/body change over the years? If so, approximately when?
• How long does it take you to smoke a Montecristo Number 4 
• Do the poll!

Montecristo Number 4 

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[BoliDan]

I think the 4s and 3s have been spectacular lately. Those who had bad experiences with the mid 2010s should give them another shot.

[iamjd]

It is the cigar that introduced me to the Cuban cigar world.  I'm still fairly new to Cubans so it's my baseline that I compare other cigars to. I'm curious to what everyone has to say.  It takes me about 25-30 minutes to smoke.

[TobaccoRoad]

I'd have to put it in my top three everyday smokes. Hits all the right notes for me when I'm looking to relax and enjoy a cigar without having to think about it too much. 

[JohnS]

Let's talk Montecristo Number 4...

• Do you like Montecristo Number 4? Definitely, yes. When they're 'on' they can be magnificent!
• Where does it stand compared to other similar cigars. I think in comparison to the other quality Marevas options we have in regular production it has the most similarity to the Rafael Gonzales Petit Coronas in terms of its cocoa/chocolate flavour and Por Larranaga Petit Coronas in terms of its potential sweetness when lighter in body. It does stand out amongst the Marevas cigars for how much it can vary in regards to deliverance of flavours. I find the Cohiba Siglo II, Bolivar Petit Coronas, Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas and Por Larranaga Petit Coronas more consistent in flavour delivery and they all have a smaller range in their spectrum of flavours. (If you'd like to include the now revitalised Sancho Panza Non Plus; well...that cigar definitely is more one-dimensional than a Montecristo No.4) The Montecristo No.4 can vary because, for me, it's a finely-balanced cigar. If you'd like to generalise that the Montecristo No.4 can offer you a combination of cocoa/chocolate, milk coffee, leather, nut, citrus, twang and cream then I'd opine that if one or two of those flavours dominate the blend of the Monte 4 you are smoking, then you will experience a very different cigar potentially each and every time. When the Montecristo No.4 delivers a flavour combination within your 'wheelhouse', yes; it can be sublime.
• Have you noticed a blend/flavour/body change over the years? If so, approximately when? Yes. Around 2018 I noticed that my Montecristo No.4 acquisitions had some citrus twang to them, at times, that certainly wasn't there in the immediate period before this.
• How long does it take you to smoke a Montecristo Number 4 For me they take around 50 to 60 minutes on average.
• Do the poll! 👍

[Fuzz]

33 minutes ago, JohnS said:

• How long does it take you to smoke a Montecristo Number 4 For me they take around 5 to 6 minutes on average

Let me correct that for you, John....

[Connoisseur Kim]

2 hours ago, iamjd said:

It is the cigar that introduced me to the Cuban cigar world.  I'm still fairly new to Cubans so it's my baseline that I compare other cigars to. I'm curious to what everyone has to say.  It takes me about 25-30 minutes to smoke.

For me, Mareva-sized Petit Coronas like Montecristo No. 4 take 65 minutes to be fully puffed but I'm a slow CC puffer. I only had an aged Monte 4 (AEM MAY 14) with Standard Band C from @Raskol a long time ago; it was one of the tastiest Cuban Petit Coronas I've ever had 😃

[NSXCIGAR]

Tried and true warrior for a reason. Yes, there can be some box to box consistency issues but the Monte 4 is typically very good. And although not often I have had some that are solid 94-95 pointers which is no small feat. 

Late last year I was smoking quite a few Monte 1 and Monte 4 and I have to say I actually preferred the blend of the Monte 4. 

[Ford2112]

When you get a good Monte 4 you remember why you keep buying them. For me they are good when I'm in the mood for one. 

[Tdm_86]

Totally get it. I must have smoked through close to 50 boxes of them over the last 20 years or so. It’s, like I suspect it is for many people, the cigar that got me into Cuban cigars. Can’t say I’ve noticed a blend change, but they can be so wildly inconsistent that it’s not really that easy to pinpoint. What @JohnS pointed out is interesting, I did notice them becoming more consistent around 2018. So possibly the blend was tweaked, if ever it was I would agree with @JohnS that it must have been around that mid to late 2018 period.

Mostly a great cigar, I’ve had many 94-96’s. Yes, I’ve also had 82-84’s. And also some I pitched because they were unsmokeable. The fact that I’ve gone through over 1000 of them indicates to me that I must like them 😄

It usually takes me a little over an hour to smoke one. 

[SCgarman]

Love them. Trademark Montecristo flavors in a one hour duration. One of my favorite sizes of cigars. Luckily all my boxes so far have been great in construction and consistency. Have not noticed any blend changes, but haven't been smoking these for decades like some here. All in all, a great cigar that should be in everyone's humidor. Unless of course the traditional Monte flavors are not to your liking!

[riderpride]

• Do you like  Montecristo Number 4 . The past 3 or so years has been a renaissance - raised from the dead imo
• Where does it stand compared to other similar cigars. Might be up to the second spot in the PC realm after the Sig II. I hate sitting on the fence, but I'll grab either a Monte 4 or Boli PC when I'm in the mood for a PC.
• Have you noticed a blend/flavour/body change over the years? If so, approximately when? Much fuller and richer flavours since 2018/19. It felt like it was just uninspiring before that - almost like the rollers were just training on it and were bored
• How long does it take you to smoke a Montecristo Number 4 . PCs in general take me 60-70 min. Honestly longer than a robusto

Cheers!

[MrBirdman]

Many Monte 4's are forgettable, and a few are regrettable. But a good Monte 4 is truly glorious. My first "whoa" moment in cigars was smoking a Monte 4. They'll always be in my rotation.

[bates40]

Was my first cigar thanks to my pops (RIP) - still my all time favorite. Great consistency, I refer to them as the "Honda Accord" of cigars. 

[Chibearsv]

I don't really get the Monte 4.  I think a Boli PC is a superior PC and for Montes, I prefer 1s, 2s, 3s, and Edmundo.  

[BlueRidgeFly]

I’ve definitely experienced inconsistencies, maybe more than any other cigar. But a good Monte 4 is a thing to savor. When they are on, I totally get it.

[OrangePaw]

I completely get this cigar and the petit corona size.  The size seems to deliver the overall cigar experience I am after, about an hour or little more of intense chocolate, earthy, bold tobacco taste that seems to completely relax and take the stress of the day away.  (Same as well for the PLPC with a different flavour profile)

Looking to add many more boxes!

 

[karp]

These are a great PC like others have mentioned. Similar to the no1 and other Monte generally. I like them a lot - but the Bolivar PC is probably better overall oomph when I go for a short format cigar.

[Fugu]

Smoking them rarely.

[Ites]

"I get it", however I've gotta admit I'm still a little in doubt. With only a few years of sampling I can't say I've smoked alot of these but do agree they can be inconsistent. Some have been a tad boring and/or too bold, others delicate and tasty.

Have been considering trying the Mc3 as an alternative. I remember a FOH review mentioning that the Mc3 may be a little more consistent as it is produced in lower volumes.

A petit corona like the Mc4 takes around 60 minutes for me to smoke. 

[zappaFREAK]

Thoroughly enjoy these. Lot of the flavors of the Monte 2 with less time. Usually my 3rd cigar of the day.

[bassistheplace]

I always get what i expect, and with a great box they can be stellar

[HuffnPuffff]

Love ‘em, great cigars when they’re on.
Don’t know why I bothered spending so much time trying other brands.


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[Rhinoww]

A buddy calls them the “vin du Maison” as he smokes so many. 
Im not quite there but like them in the rotation. Just ordered a 5x5 on sale at another place today before swing this thread. Had been a while since I ordered anywhere but here. 5x5 serve well for a night out w the boys where larger format may not fit the timing. 
A good no 4 is worth the effort. A meh box quickly becomes a yard gar for me. 

[PuroDiario]

Smoke them not as often, but I really like them and brings good memories