This has been my regular smoke since I took up cigar smoking but strangely have yet to do a review on it. It's probably one of the best all round smokes there are out their, definitely for the beginner cigar aficionado. In terms of flavour, flavour development, aroma, it's size, feel in the hand the entire package and quite importantly to me it's affordable and can be smoked regularly. Like most Cuban cigars I've come to know it's not particularly well constructed and the burn is not the greatest so I guess it's rough and ready to go but it delivers every time...last famous words. Lets see how it goes!
Cigar summary
Origin: Cuba
Ring gauge: 42
Length: 5
Manufactured: Hand made
Maturity: 5 Months
Construction: Fair
Draw: Very easy sweet aniseed dry draw
Strength: Medium developing to full in the last third
Flavour: Mild cream sweetness with hints of dried fruit developing into a dominant spice espresso
Burn: good
Guy's rating (70-100): 90
General comments:
Off the bat, massive smoke volume, flavours are just full of cream and espresso with some spiciness and oil on the lips - just brilliant! The aroma of the smoke at this point is really really fresh, so inviting just saying smoke me!
The first third slowly introduces some bitterness and a medium to full tobacco flavour.
The second third the rich tobacco has relaxed and the sweet creaminess is now more dominant with a pleasant almost dried fruit coming through.
The last third is spice dominant but still with hints of espresso and sweetness, the creaminess and oiliness are gone at this point and the smoke has become full. It's developed nicely as it's gone on and is just such a great kick.
It offers everything you look for in a cigar and just seems to deliver every time. It won't be my highest rated cigar but will definitely be my most frequently smoked as it's an entire package and hits all the notes even if just subtle. I highly recommend the Monte C No.4's and if you're a new smoker this cigar is a good place to start.
