Montecristo No. 4 OLE JUL 14 Monte Review Comp 2016

[Dude]

I should start by saying I'm a big Monte fan, with No. 4 being one of my favourite sizes. I don't subscribe to the firmly entrenched notion that bigger is better when it comes to cigars.  Monte 2s can be earth-shattering, sure, but in my experience the larger sizes don't always provide the same consistency of their smaller cousins. 

 

This cigar is from a box of 25 I picked up at a shop called Cigar Chief. It's just off the 401, just outside of Kingston, Ont. Canada. I'm sure most of you have heard of it. Great service and great selection. Prices are OK. They often have smokes with a few years on them, sometimes more (I picked up a couple of 2010 Siglo IVs a few months back).

 

CONSTRUCTION:

 

 

A good looking cigar, nothing special. The wrapper is not as dark as I'd like, but solid. Not too packed, no hard spots, but firm. As for cutting, I've found with Monte 4s that the wrapper almost always unravels...unless I lightly wet the cap first and let it sit for 5 minutes. This was the case here.

Cold aroma is chocolate, barnyard, cedar. Same with the cold draw. No surprises.

 

FIRST THIRD

 

 

The flavour is pure Monte...elegant from the start. Very rich and creamy with a short finish. The smoke is light, the draw is perfect. The flavour profile is almost perfumed. Deep and fresh, with no spice.....hints of vanilla...the smoke is cool.

As you can see, the burn is razor sharp.

SECOND THIRD:

 

 

The cedar is starting to creep in now. Woody, earthy, rich country air, hints of chocolate, toasty, unsalted brown butter on crusty bread. The cigar is getting richer and richer. No bitterness, still light and fresh half way through. Picking up a little bit of pepper, still very rich. There is an impression of cotton candy. I say impression because it's not like eating cotton candy, but the taste it leaves in your mouth when you smell cotton candy. I know...but I don't know how else to describe it. 

 

Hints of coffee. Still creamy.

FINAL THIRD:

 

 

Earthy now, but still deep and rich and perfumed. A little more smoke output. The finish is a little longer now with some pepper...just a bit. Some leather now. Hints of sage and bread.

You know that sweet smell when you walk into an old church and it hits you? Rich incense...aged wood...this cigar is that good.

 

Final thoughts: Medium to full-bodied throughout. The flavour profile stayed pretty much the same throughout, which is not a bad thing. 

 

One important note: I always assume my darker Montes are going to taste better. This one proves otherwise. 

 

94

[Smoke6]

Need to  pick up some smaller Montes as well......nice review!

[backbone]

Nice review, I really enjoy the #4!

[Slyclient]

Nice review!  The Monte 4 is one of my favorites as well

[Smoking Ninja]

Great review!  I have yet to try a Monte #4.  Maybe next time it's on 24:24 I will try to snag a PSP/HQ box..

[TheMonk]

Excellent review, very well done!

[Sean3]

Nice review.

[oside]

Nice review.  I like lighter wrapped cigars with some oil on it.  

[Saxman]

Your review help me with my Monte 4 purchase today.


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[JZBdano]

I enjoyed your review.  I don't smoke them often but Monte 4s rarely disappoint. 

[jcorona]

Nice review.

I read somewhere that darker wrappers on monte's bring out more intense cocoa/chocolate flavors. Still good with lighter wrappers I see.

[Hurltim]

Great review! I tried one that tasted fantastic, sort of like a mini-#2 but the draw was pretty tight. I think that's what keeps me from buying a box.

[Bohn007]

I just ordered my first box, a PSP on 24/24