Montecristo No 4

Description

You have forty minutes between meetings and a fresh double espresso cooling on the bistro table in front of you. Lighting this Mareva instantly shifts gears, replacing the stress of the day with the grounding aroma of Cuban soil and wood that tells your brain it is time to relax.

The Smoking Experience

First Third: When you first get the ember glowing, the smoke output is surprisingly dense for a smaller ring gauge. You get hit immediately with the taste of damp earth and fresh cedar, which are the hallmarks of this blend. There is a distinct black pepper spice on the retrohale that wakes up your palate, but it doesn’t burn or overwhelm the other flavors. The draw usually offers a slight resistance, which helps keep the cigar from burning too hot too quickly.

Mid-Section: As the burn line moves past the first inch, that initial peppery kick settles down into the background. The profile shifts toward a robust roasted coffee bean flavor, mixed with a dry cocoa powder note that isn’t sugary but adds great depth. The texture of the smoke becomes creamier here, coating the mouth comfortably while the strength creeps up from medium toward the fuller side. It feels consistent and reliable, burning with a straight gray ash that holds on well.

Final Third: In the last stretch, the heat intensifies slightly, bringing out savory leather notes and a touch of roasted almond. The strength is fully present now, delivering a nicotine kick that might surprise you given the small size of the stick. The coffee notes turn darker, like the bottom of an espresso cup, and the finish leaves a long-lasting spicy tingle on the tongue. It remains smooth enough to smoke right down to the nub without getting harsh.

Flavor Profile

The Story Behind Montecristo

Founded in 1935, this brand took its name from the Alexander Dumas novel that torcedores loved listening to while they rolled tobacco leaves in the factory. It quickly became the standard for Cuban flavor, eventually growing into the most produced premium cigar on the island. The No 4 specifically holds the title of the world’s best-selling Habanos, serving as the global benchmark for what a Mareva size should taste like.

Perfect Pairings

• Rum: Appleton Estate 21 – The deep oak and nutmeg notes in this aged Jamaican rum stand up perfectly to the earthy core of the cigar.
• Whiskey: Highland Park 18 – A subtle peat smoke in the scotch connects beautifully with the roasted coffee flavors in the tobacco.
• Coffee: Cuban espresso – The most traditional pairing, where the strong caffeine kick and sugar foam cut through the rich cocoa notes of the smoke.

Ideal For

This is the stick you grab when you want a guarantee rather than a surprise. It fits perfectly into a lunch break or a pre-dinner slot because of its compact size and robust flavor profile. While beginners often start here because of its popularity, the strength can sneak up on you, so it is best enjoyed after a good meal.