Montecristo No.4 - aging potential (10+ years)

[Gubbins]

Hi all,

I've done a search on the forum, for what kind of legs Monte 4's have, but most topics I've read seem to focus on the changes up to around 5-6 years, with little discussion from there onwards. I am picking up a box from abroad (ULA Ene 2015). So, I have a couple of questions for those in the know:

1. How do Monte 4's perform at 10 years +  /  Anything to expect?

2. How was the 2015 vintage, is ULA (partagas) Monte4 a box of note?

Any information from those experienced smoking older Montes, please feel free to chime in.

Mochas appreciatos.

[Puros Y Vino]

I've been smoking through some M4's from the early 80's. They've been great. No issues at all. So I'd say the legs are there. 

[SCgarman]

I have a '15 box of Monte 4 and they are a fine cigar with 10 years on them. As far as box codes or factories, you get what you get. The only consistent thing with Cuban cigars is inconsistency. Cigars are sorted by wrapper shade. It is possible in a box of Monte 4 to have 25 cigars all made by a different roller. Much different than NC cigars where every cigar in a box was rolled by a team of two, a buncher and a wrapper roller.

[Gubbins]

Thank you for the valued input. Looking forward to trying these out. I was half worried I might feel the need smoke them in haste, but if you guys are still enjoying 10 - 40 year old boxes; that’s music to my ears.

[ha_banos]

1 hour ago, Gubbins said:

Thank you for the valued input. Looking forward to trying these out. I was half worried I might feel the need smoke them in haste, but if you guys are still enjoying 10 - 40 year old boxes; that’s music to my ears.

Don't want to throw a spanner in the works .... Buuuut .... Modern tobaccos are not like the good old days. Pre 2000. Different strains.... Who knows how they will age nowadays? 😋

These are just fine!

[El Presidente]

4 hours ago, Gubbins said:

1. How do Monte 4's perform at 10 years +  /  Anything to expect?

2. How was the 2015 vintage, is ULA (partagas) Monte4 a box of note?

Any information from those experienced smoking older Montes, please feel free to chime in.

Mochas appreciatos.

ULA had a generally skewed right bell curve (good quality). Better 2014 than 2015. 

Monte 4 from 2015 should be fine. Expect 90/91 point cigars with 10 years on them. Anything higher and toast the cigar gods. 

[Gubbins]

So more bad than good boxes? But a few exceptional? I appreciate that there’s no real way of knowing, but how long do you think these might have left in them? As I’m not really one to hammer through a box, and don’t want to end up trying to rush through them.

I’ve never had a box go further than 6 years, so not overly familiar with how cigars can peter off after double figure years. Appreciated

[El Presidente]

10 hours ago, Gubbins said:

So more bad than good boxes? But a few exceptional? I appreciate that there’s no real way of knowing, but how long do you think these might have left in them? As I’m not really one to hammer through a box, and don’t want to end up trying to rush through them.

I’ve never had a box go further than 6 years, so not overly familiar with how cigars can peter off after double figure years. Appreciated

The only Monte I really enjoy aged is the Monte Especial. Behind that the Monte Especial 2.  Not sure how the Double Edmundo will age. 

Monte 1-4/Edmundo/Petit Ed etc are all 3-7 years for me. 

My tastes of course. I just find Monte starts to lose some of that cocoa/cream intensity post 7. 

ULA is a "better than average" code. However you are chasing fools gold if you you are looking for certainty. 

Ask your seller to check for you if you can. They may have been part of an aged program which is fine. They may have been passed over for a reason....which is a little more problematic. 

 

[Ford2112]

10 hours ago, ha_banos said:

Don't want to throw a spanner in the works .... Buuuut .... Modern tobaccos are not like the good old days. Pre 2000. Different strains.... Who knows how they will age nowadays? 😋

These are just fine!

But do you really need all those? I heard they look better in my humidor. 

 

[ha_banos]

@Ford2112 You're right. Why don't you just come get some...