Monte No. 4 - TUS-MAY-23 - First Time Tasting

[eaglebear29]

I believe the box codes are like my 25er TUS May 23 or they are the previous year, sorry for not knowing, they were acquired in a 12 pack. 1 hour 30 min smoke time. I smoke them ultra slow but this one was surprising, it was dry boxed in my humidor (62%) for 4 weeks.

First 1/3: Very subtle milk chocolate a and was happy w/ the burn and great perfect draw.

Second 1/3: Blew me away I've smoke quite a few of NW even being new to the hobby and was not expecting or have ever got a flavor note like this, it was like milk chocolate but had more of a crazy cane sugar sweetness when I put my tongue on the roof of my mouth. I couldn't believe it. 

Final 1/3: Less of the sweetness more of the earthy milk chocolate w/ no spice since I smoke the thing so dang slow.

I've got to say I've only smoked HUHC w/ 1.5 years of age and they are great but I can I feel like understand what people are saying if you let these rest and their potential. I've gotten notes but nothing ever like this from NW, granted iv only had these 2 smokes and Cohiba shorts. One of the best smokes I've had beats all my new worlds. I about jumped w/ shock and excitement like what the heck did I just taste! Very looking forward to trying more CC and seeing if NW can have THAT kind of flavor. Amazing.

 

[Chibearsv]

Nice review. Welcome to the rabbit hole 😁

[eaglebear29]

44 minutes ago, Chibearsv said:

Nice review. Welcome to the rabbit hole 😁

Thank you, Im looking forward to starting a good collection. Really stoked here at the start and I feel like I've only barley peaked my head down the rabbit hole.😁 

Any newbie recommendations are also welcome I'm going to be aging some bigger vitolas but looking for smaller ones right now for the AK winters. stocked up on HUHC, some monte 4s, HDM Du Marie.

The ones I'm eyeballing so far on the list are Ramon Allones Small Club Corona, Bolivar Petite Corona, and Punch Short de Punch. 

[El Presidente]

5 hours ago, eaglebear29 said:

Thank you, Im looking forward to starting a good collection. Really stoked here at the start and I feel like I've only barley peaked my head down the rabbit hole.😁 

Any newbie recommendations are also welcome I'm going to be aging some bigger vitolas but looking for smaller ones right now for the AK winters. stocked up on HUHC, some monte 4s, HDM Du Marie.

The ones I'm eyeballing so far on the list are Ramon Allones Small Club Corona, Bolivar Petite Corona, and Punch Short de Punch. 

For value and flavour can I suggest: 

Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 1

Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 2

MOFOH Spada Gorda

Nudies N4 Petit Corona

 

[eaglebear29]

On 1/9/2024 at 6:14 PM, El Presidente said:

For value and flavour can I suggest: 

Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 1

Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 2

MOFOH Spada Gorda

Nudies N4 Petit Corona

 

Thank you, I'd love some expert suggestions. Funny you say that cause I just made the selection on the Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 2. Now I'll have to get the number #1 next.

I was looking at the Spada Gorda in the inbox and haven't dove in on the info yet and there were so many options w/ all the vitolas so I appreciate the direction; just read up on them and both of them sound wonderful. Im definitely going to have to give the Nudies N4 Petite Coronas a try, those might just be the perfect addition for the cold. Spada sound like something I'd like too.

Now they are on top of the never ending list, as I like to keep a NW or 7 in between every CC; at least until my new stock ages more, or we have a killer fishing season. Great profiles, sounds like my kinda flavor, thank you.

[El Presidente]

On 1/9/2024 at 6:54 PM, eaglebear29 said:

Thank you, I'd love some expert suggestions. Funny you say that cause I just made the selection on the Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 2. Now I'll have to get the number #1 next.

I was looking at the Spada Gorda in the inbox and haven't dove in on the info yet and there were so many options w/ all the vitolas so I appreciate the direction; just read up on them and both of them sound wonderful. Im definitely going to have to give the Nudies N4 Petite Coronas a try, those might just be the perfect addition for the cold. Spada sound like something I'd like too.

Now they are on top of the never ending list, as I like to keep a NW or 7 in between every CC; at least until my new stock ages more, or we have a killer fishing season. Great profiles, sounds like my kinda flavor, thank you.

The end of month sampler packages (Nudies/MOFOH) will help you (and others) a great deal. Our ambition (Hamlet and I) is to make great everyday smoking cigars that bring a smile to your face, in Habanos formats not easily attainable, at a price you can afford. 

[eaglebear29]

On 1/9/2024 at 7:14 PM, El Presidente said:

The end of month sampler packages (Nudies/MOFOH) will help you (and others) a great deal. Our ambition (Hamlet and I) is to make great everyday smoking cigars that bring a smile to your face, in Habanos formats not easily attainable, at a price you can afford. 

Yeah I'm sure its not easily attainable, but from reading the description and some other reviews, if you can come close I'll be happy, cause I've had some pretty bum NW for some bum prices. Now I'm gonna have to light up my first and only Padron Principle 1964 and see what others are saying in comparison to the N4.

I'll be looking forward to the end of the month sampler packs then, and I'll most likely be getting the N4 and Spada to hopefully fit in w/ my other affordable rotational smokes.

Thank you, I'm looking forward to trying them, as I've also only heard good things. Always on the hunt for good quality tasty smokes that don't have to break the bank; there are a few brands I've found that have proven that possible so far.

[joeypots]

Great review and welcome to the forum. 

14 hours ago, eaglebear29 said:

Second 1/3: Blew me away I've smoke quite a few of NW even being new to the hobby and was not expecting or have ever got a flavor note like this, it was like milk chocolate but had more of a crazy cane sugar sweetness when I put my tongue on the roof of my mouth. I couldn't believe it. 

Believe it. When  Cuban cigars are on, no matter which one, they are  in their own league. It’s nice that you’ve documented your awakening. It brought me back to that “Oh, that’s what all the fuss is about."

[SCgarman]

For the price of one box of Monte 4 you can have a 50ct bundle of Ninfas. Different flavor profile, but Ninfas win over Monte 4. Back when Monte 4 was $148/box, they would win every time. But not at $370/box, the law of diminishing return applies. 

[eaglebear29]

On 1/10/2024 at 1:33 AM, joeypots said:

Great review and welcome to the forum. 

Believe it. When  Cuban cigars are on, no matter which one, they are  in their own league. It’s nice that you’ve documented your awakening. It brought me back to that “Oh, that’s what all the fuss is about."

Thanks, really grateful I was introduced to this place. Amazing community, has been educational and fun. Yeah what a real treat. I'm glad it brought ya back, I plan on at the very least journaling my experiences. I'd like to post here a bunch of the first times, and as the cigars progress. Eventually it would be fun to do videos, but I'm not sure I'd be too good at those being so new, so ill start small. Now I feel like I agree, they are in a league of their own for sure. I've caught the CC bug, and I'm not trying to find the remedy. 

 

On 1/10/2024 at 1:38 AM, SCgarman said:

For the price of one box of Monte 4 you can have a 50ct bundle of Ninfas. Different flavor profile, but Ninfas win over Monte 4. Back when Monte 4 was $148/box, they would win every time. But not at $370/box, the law of diminishing return applies. 

Thanks for the heads up on that, yeah I plan on stocking up on CC for the future and having them as more of a treat here and there. Probably have 1-4 a month max, along w/ 7-24 NW. I'm all about the budget sticks, as I'll also need some good bundles for when I'm gone out fishing for a few months at a time and just adding to the winter rotation. That's where the N4 is looking like it will fit in just right. Could be in the Aleutians for 2 months at a time and depending on the Halibut season that could be months as well, but hopefully not into the winter. Either way, it's better to bring a ton extra than run out too early.

Looking forward to the possible smaller vitolas being released from here that were mentioned yesterday. Not just for winter but for the fishing like I said. The petite corona or the half corona would work great for the long hours. I had a few this summer, as when you have down time after 20+ hour days, ya can't really fit in the bigger ones; ya gotta eat or get some sleep, and now and/or smoke a small cigar to add a cherry on top as you embrace the suck while making the best of it out there.