El Presidente Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 The minute Lisa pulled out of the driveway yesterday afternoon to do the banking, Smithy and I ran to the deck of Czar House, opened a bottle of wine and lit up a 2006 (Jan) Montecristo Number 4. I chose the Montecristo Number 4 simply because I never choose the Montecristo number 4. I mean...why pass over a Cohiba Siglo II, Por Larranaga PC or Bolivar Petit Corona for the run of the mill Monte 4. When I handed Smithy a Monte number 4 he looked at me as if I had handed him a Guantanamera. I know he has not had great experiences with Monte 4's but I explained to him that I wanted to assess how 06 Monte 4 compared. The little Monte 4's were golden brown as if baked fresh from the oven. Construction was immaculate. Smell at cold was pungeant wet forest floor combined with sweet cocoa spice. When whiffing the foot there was significant white pepper spice. We poured a glass of 2004 Mamre Brook Shiraz and reached for the Blazer torch. The draw was perfect. Not too easy...not too tight...requiring just a little pull. We were into the monte 4 for only 2-3 minutes when Smithy said exactly what I was thinking to myself. " It just kicked in with sweet full bodied flavour...no bitterness....just in your face Montecristo flavour in spades". He was right. The Monte 4 was decadently rich. Cream, toasted tobacco, touch of raisin...., double shot espresso coffee. It was the most full bodied, untamed Monte no 4 that I have ever had. It was also the most enjoyable bar none. It was not until the final inch that the Monte became a little ragged. Up until that time it was one of the most enjoyable cigars that I have had in 2006. It was completely unexpected particularly the strength and intensity/complexity of flavour. Anyone who thinks that this cigar has been blended for immediate consumption at the expense of the long term potential is playing with himself or running an agenda. It has simply been blended perfectly utilising superb core material. This cigar will make 5-10 years on it's ear. I find it difficult to believe that it will get better than it is right now but I look forward to the possibilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt45 Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 Thanks for the review - I plan on trying an '06 in the next couple of days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMH Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 It's a shame so many people overlook them. They're nice cigars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genevapics Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 Thanks for the review Rob. This is great news for us card carrying Montecristo fans. Marveas have fast become my favorite vitolas. Being a slow smoker, I can make this cigar last a full 70+ minutes. I will need to purchase a couple of boxes of these for the fall/winter season. By the way, when Lisa came back from the bank, did you offer her a Montecristo and a glass of wine to get her opinion?:-P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Twain Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 Thanks for the review, I am a big fan of Montes but have been disappointed with the few young ones I have had (Nov 05 #2s). Have you tried any of the young #5s, would you give them the same thumbs up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted September 28, 2006 Author Share Posted September 28, 2006 » Thanks for the review, I am a big fan of Montes but have been disappointed » with the few young ones I have had (Nov 05 #2s). » » Have you tried any of the young #5s, would you give them the same thumbs » up? I thought 05 were good. In the main better than anything since 99. 06 however is in a different league. Much more powerfull. Certainly makes a statement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor2118 Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 » 06 however is in a different league. Much more powerfull. Certainly makes a statement. I can see people clambering for a New Box List shortly rather than the present Aged Box List! :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moglman Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 Thanks for the review Rob. My luck with the #4 is mixed, generally leaning toward "why bother". I think it's worth another look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyosa Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 great review rob ! your thoughts echo my recent experiences exactly .. i have smoked 3 in the last week that were from late 05 to early 06 - they were in a 5 pack - no date codes... they were awesome. much better than the last batch i had from @ 2000. i have ALWAYS loved the MC #4 and have never understood why they got such a bum rap...... they seem to be very consistent from year to year and always have that classic MC flavor.... -bk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassman Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 I've not seen a negative review on ANY 06. Time to resupply! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrAlejandro Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 great review prez, Ive been looking at a box of these for a while now and have a box of #5's that has been smoking particularly well also... cant beat that monte flavor with some nice cuban coffee :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VigorishSLC Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 The #4 was my first step into the world of Habanos. It'll always hold a special place in my heart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COJ Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 » The minute Lisa pulled out of the driveway yesterday afternoon to do the » banking, Smithy and I ran to the deck of Czar House, opened a bottle of » wine and lit up a 2006 (Jan) Montecristo Number 4. » » I chose the Montecristo Number 4 simply because I never choose the » Montecristo number 4. I mean...why pass over a Cohiba Siglo II, Por » Larranaga PC or Bolivar Petit Corona for the run of the mill Monte 4. » » When I handed Smithy a Monte number 4 he looked at me as if I had handed » him a Guantanamera. I know he has not had great experiences with Monte 4's » but I explained to him that I wanted to assess how 06 Monte 4 compared. » » The little Monte 4's were golden brown as if baked fresh from the oven. » Construction was immaculate. Smell at cold was pungeant wet forest floor » combined with sweet cocoa spice. When whiffing the foot there was » significant white pepper spice. » » We poured a glass of 2004 Mamre Brook Shiraz and reached for the Blazer » torch. The draw was perfect. Not too easy...not too tight...requiring just » a little pull. » » We were into the monte 4 for only 2-3 minutes when Smithy said exactly » what I was thinking to myself. " It just kicked in with sweet full bodied » flavour...no bitterness....just in your face Montecristo flavour in » spades". » He was right. The Monte 4 was decadently rich. Cream, toasted tobacco, » touch of raisin...., double shot espresso coffee. It was the most full » bodied, untamed Monte no 4 that I have ever had. It was also the most » enjoyable bar none. » » It was not until the final inch that the Monte became a little ragged. Up » until that time it was one of the most enjoyable cigars that I have had in » 2006. It was completely unexpected particularly the strength and » intensity/complexity of flavour. » » Anyone who thinks that this cigar has been blended for immediate » consumption at the expense of the long term potential is playing with » himself or running an agenda. It has simply been blended perfectly » utilising superb core material. This cigar will make 5-10 years on it's » ear. I find it difficult to believe that it will get better than it is » right now but I look forward to the possibilities. None of the above bear any resemblance with any Monte #4 I've tried...ever. :-( Hard to beleive it really was a Monte...sounds like when I decribe a H.Upmann or Bolivar PC. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt45 Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 I tried an April '06 today. The above pretty much covers it, though mine was still just a touch green - though not harsh at all. This is the cigar I first think of when someone says creamy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stever Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 Great review. It's now on my radar screen. With all the rave reviews on '06 smokes, any thought to featuring a sampler pack by year's end containing the best of '06? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrink Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 Thanks for the review, Rob. I know, it's hard to believe just how good some of these early '06's are. I've been smoking some PUL ENE06 Monte No. 2's that are simply stunning. Full-bodied, full-flavored, without a doubt the best Monte in years. And I agree, there is plenty of room for improvement with aging. Habanos 2006 is establishing itself as one of the great years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mailman Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 i bought a box of '06 and i don't have a bad thing to say. i pass them out to my friends when they come over, and nothing but compliments. thanks rob!:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB24 Posted October 1, 2006 Share Posted October 1, 2006 I just smoked my first Montecristo Habano and it happened to be the number 4. Box code MCS March 06. I was very excited by the review and all the comments and couldn't wait to light it up today and watch some football. I loved it and am now a huge fan of the MC's. I got a box of the Especial 2's also untouched and can't wait to hit that up soon. My number 4 was by no means full bodied, more on the light to medium side. Great flavors start to finish and besides relighting it twice I would say it is now in my top 5. I tasted some spice but more cream and cocoa flavors. Smoke was thick and smell was unreal. The burn was even all the way through and the draw started out somewhat tight but 1/3 of the way in turned to what I would consider perfect. -Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeavySmoke Posted October 9, 2006 Share Posted October 9, 2006 » The minute Lisa pulled out of the driveway yesterday afternoon to do the » banking, Smithy and I ran to the deck of Czar House, opened a bottle of » wine and lit up a 2006 (Jan) Montecristo Number 4. » I smoked my second Monte #4 jan 06 today. Overall it was fairly descent for such a young cigar. You can really taste the ligero on your lips when you smoke one of these babies. I tasted a cream and toasted tobacco but it 2 me it wasn't a "sweet cigar". A good cigar to add to the humi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wp2 Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 Great review!! As a Monte fan (& a #4 fan) I really enjoyed your descriptions of flavor/complexity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sig 111 Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 very nice review,the monte #4 is by far my fave vitola of the brand with the #2 coming in second.although they may be pretty tastey fresh,with a little down time they become exceptional little smokes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cam Posted November 5, 2006 Share Posted November 5, 2006 » The minute Lisa pulled out of the driveway yesterday afternoon to do the » banking, Smithy and I ran to the deck of Czar House, opened a bottle of » wine and lit up a 2006 (Jan) Montecristo Number 4. » » I chose the Montecristo Number 4 simply because I never choose the » Montecristo number 4. I mean...why pass over a Cohiba Siglo II, Por » Larranaga PC or Bolivar Petit Corona for the run of the mill Monte 4. » » When I handed Smithy a Monte number 4 he looked at me as if I had handed » him a Guantanamera. I know he has not had great experiences with Monte 4's » but I explained to him that I wanted to assess how 06 Monte 4 compared. » » The little Monte 4's were golden brown as if baked fresh from the oven. » Construction was immaculate. Smell at cold was pungeant wet forest floor » combined with sweet cocoa spice. When whiffing the foot there was » significant white pepper spice. » » We poured a glass of 2004 Mamre Brook Shiraz and reached for the Blazer » torch. The draw was perfect. Not too easy...not too tight...requiring just » a little pull. » » We were into the monte 4 for only 2-3 minutes when Smithy said exactly » what I was thinking to myself. " It just kicked in with sweet full bodied » flavour...no bitterness....just in your face Montecristo flavour in » spades". » He was right. The Monte 4 was decadently rich. Cream, toasted tobacco, » touch of raisin...., double shot espresso coffee. It was the most full » bodied, untamed Monte no 4 that I have ever had. It was also the most » enjoyable bar none. » » It was not until the final inch that the Monte became a little ragged. Up » until that time it was one of the most enjoyable cigars that I have had in » 2006. It was completely unexpected particularly the strength and » intensity/complexity of flavour. » » Anyone who thinks that this cigar has been blended for immediate » consumption at the expense of the long term potential is playing with » himself or running an agenda. It has simply been blended perfectly » utilising superb core material. This cigar will make 5-10 years on it's » ear. I find it difficult to believe that it will get better than it is » right now but I look forward to the possibilities. great review, I love 06 monte no.4 I totally agree with your construction comments, well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor2118 Posted November 5, 2006 Share Posted November 5, 2006 » » When I handed Smithy a Monte number 4 he looked at me as if I had handed him a Guantanamera. I just love this comment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginseng Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 » » 06 however is in a different league. Much more powerfull. Certainly makes » a statement. » » I can see people clambering for a New Box List shortly rather than » the present Aged Box List! :-D That might be a distinct possibility. :-D Great review, Rob. I've been disappointed in recent (04 and 05) Monte 4 but now the 06 madness has me rethinking them. Can you imagine how the Petit Tubos version will age? Yum! Wilkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafa Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 I can't believe that you are enjoying habanos from june, march, april 2006. Now,here in Spain you only can find cigars from middle of 2005 or older Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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