M4 V N4 Matchoff.

[El Presidente]

I have been wanting to do this for a while and today I have a little time. 

Montecristo 4  v  Nudies N4.  

I am an avid lover of Petit Coronas. The Monte 4 is a favourite of mine and has been for some time.  The Monte 4 for this tasting is GER Mar 23 and the Nudies N4 was also from May 23 produced by our Fabrica 5 team.  I tried to get the cigars as close as I could in terms of age. Both have acclimatised well over a month in my home desktop humidor at 65 RH. 

Wrappers are almost identical in shade. I would call it Colorado Cafe. 

 

[El Presidente]

Aroma at cold on the Monte 4 is long dry grass stalks and milk chocolate. On the N4 it is all Barnyard and cocoa. 

Clipping the cigars shows the Monty 4 to be a little snug which surprises me as I couldn't/can't feel any choke points. The N4 draw is pretty much perfect. 

Cold draw on the Monte 4 reveals a sweet/cocoa powder dry grass. Very much like it's aroma at cold. The N4 is a funky barnyard with a cooking dark choc edge at the cold draw. 

[Chas.Alpha]

I am reading this in real time, with due alacrity. Interested in your thoughts on the comparison.🤔

[El Presidente]

The opening on the Monte 4 is light medium in body and all Milo/Nesquick.  Soft yet slightly decadent. 

The opening on the N4 is gingerbread spice and a touch of bite through the retrohale. Medium full opening. 

[El Presidente]

1 hour ago, Chas.Alpha said:

I am reading this in real time, with due alacrity. Interested in your thoughts on the comparison.🤔

I am halfway through so just posting up the opening third now. This  is a side by side comparison. 

[Chas.Alpha]

Just finishing an HUHC before bedtime. 10:00 p.m. EST is my limit😉

[El Presidente]

Ash is interesting. 

I am having trouble keeping an ash on the Monte 4. Mind you I have the overhead fans on as it is a touch warm. The N4 is delivering an excellent ash. 

Aroma from both cigars is exquisite. 

N4 has settled down from Medium full to just over Medium. Gingerbread joined with dark coffee and a touch of milk chocolate. Monte 4 continues in the light medium vein. Milo/Nesquick continues to be it's singlar profile. It's a good profile. No spice through the retrohale. 

 

 

[El Presidente]

Coming toward the last third on both. 

Monte 4 is approaching medium body. Flavour is darkening slightly with some espresso entering the mix. 

N4 is working it's way back to medium full. That gingerbread spice/coffee/cocoa is rocking. 

[El Presidente]

Great comeback by the Monte 4. Medium bodied now. Class milk chocolate/latte. Draw is now perfect. 

N4 is also moving into that mezzo coffee stream. The gingerbread spice is backing off but lingers on the edges. Touch of sweetness on the margins as well. 

Both will be nubbed. 

[El Presidente]

Summary

Two excellent petit coronas. Two very different styles.

The Monte 4 was a typically good Monte 4. Monte in profile and delivery. I have had some fuller bodied Monte 4s from 2021/2002 but this was far more in the classic style. It took some time to get going but it finished with a bang. Solid 90. 

The N4 reminded me far more of the Partagas Short in a Petit Corona format....with some Partagas SD6 in the mix. It is young. Both cigars are young. I have a fair understanding of how the Monte 4 will evolve since I have been smoking them since the early 90's. The N4, no idea, but I am excited. 91. 

 

[westg]

I am wondering do you think their would be any difference if you didn't smoke them side by side ....together. Let's say a few hours apart. To smoke two cigars at the same time evenly would be tough I would of thought.  Heathen 🥰

[El Presidente]

10 minutes ago, westg said:

I am wondering do you think their would be any difference if you didn't smoke them side by side ....together. Let's say a few hours apart. To smoke two cigars at the same time evenly would be tough I would of thought.  Heathen 🥰

I always do it when undertaking a comparative tasting. 

Side by side with a notepad/pen.  I find that in a side by side tasting, similarities/differences are magnified. There is an immediacy of experience and recording. 

[El Presidente]

15 minutes ago, westg said:

Heathen 🥰

...absolutely 

[Lamboinee]

Inspired me to try a side by side for myself. Always worried smoking side by side would impact the flavors too much .... but if you recommend it, it should be worth a try.