AshMap
Overview
The Montecristo No. 4 Petit Corona is not merely a cigar; it is a cornerstone of Cuban habano heritage, a vitola that has defined the Petit Corona format for nearly a century. Introduced alongside the Montecristo brand in 1935, this 5.1 x 42 masterpiece was born at the H. Upmann factory in Havana, where its tripa larga, long-filler construction is hand-rolled with the sort of disciplined precision that only generations of torcedores can impart. The No. 4 occupies a singular place in the pantheon: it is the benchmark against which all other Petit Coronas are measured, and its legacy is written in the quiet authority of its smoke. The construction itself is an object of tactile admiration. The Colorado wrapper, a warm reddish-brown with a silky sheen and fine tooth, is sourced from Vuelta Abajo’s Semilla 2000 seed — a Corojo derivative — and possesses an almost burnished richness. Beneath it, the binder and filler are exclusively Cuban Vuelta Abajo, with seco, ligero, and volado leaves aged a minimum of two years at both El Laguito and H. Upmann factories. The result is a cigar that, from the moment of light, telegraphs its pedigree: an immediate hit of creamy cedar and toasted almonds, lifted by a white pepper tingle on the retrohale, while the earthy notes of damp loam and barnyard root the profile in the unmistakable terroir of Pinar del Río. The first third is a masterclass in restraint — sweetness is present but never cloying, like fresh bread and light honey. By the second third, the No. 4 earns its legend. Cedar evolves into aged oak and fine leather, cocoa and roasted coffee emerge with clean precision, and a nutty, cashew-like creaminess coats the palate, lingering into a finish of remarkable length. The final third deepens into dark chocolate and espresso, with hints of dried fig and raisin, and a subtle spice that builds without harshness. There is no aggression here — only methodical, elegant complexity that builds to a dry, satisfying conclusion. The strength, while medium on the scale, can edge toward medium-full in a well-aged example, but the cigar never loses its essential poise. The burn is razor-even, the draw open and resistant only enough to produce dense, cool smoke, and the ash holds firm to the one-inch mark. To dismiss the Montecristo No. 4 as an entry-level smoke is to miss the point entirely. This is the Cuban canon in miniature — a cigar that, with three to five years of post-box aging, rivals compositions twice its size and three times its price. It is a working cigar in the truest sense: compact enough for a 45-to-55-minute respite, yet refined enough for a celebratory afternoon. Its story is one of understated mastery, a testament to the idea that greatness need not be large to be profound.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban Vuelta Abajo — Semilla 2000 / Corojo derivative — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban Vuelta Abajo |
| Filler | Cuban Vuelta Abajo — Seco, Ligero, Volado from Pinar del Río; aged minimum 2 years at El Laguito and H. Upmann factories |
| Country of Origin | Havana, Cuba — H. Upmann Factory (Real Fábrica de Tabacos H. Upmann) |
| Vitola / Shape | Petit Corona |
| Size | 5.1 x 42 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $18–$24 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Minimum 2 years aging on leaves before rolling; benefits greatly from 3–5 years of post-box aging for added complexity a |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The light reveals an immediate hit of creamy cedar and toasted almonds with a gentle white pepper tingle on the retrohale. Earthy Cuban terroir — think damp loam and barnyard — underpins a clean, elegant profile from the very first draw. Sweetness is restrained but present, reminiscent of fresh bread and light honey.
Second Third
The midpoint is where the No. 4 earns its legendary reputation: cedar transitions into aged oak and fine leather, with cocoa and roasted coffee bean emerging cleanly. A nutty, almost cashew-like creaminess coats the palate and lingers long into the finish. Complexity builds methodically without ever becoming aggressive.
Final Third
The final third deepens into dark chocolate and espresso with a hint of dried fruit — fig or raisin — and a subtle spice that builds without harshness. The creaminess persists, keeping the finish elegant rather than pungent. Strength edges toward medium-full on a well-aged example, finishing long, dry, and satisfying.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is exemplary — one of the benchmarks of Cuban craftsmanship. The draw is typically open with just the right resistance, producing dense, cool smoke; the burn line is razor-even and the ash holds firm and light grey to the one-inch mark with ease.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Single malt Scotch with restraint — a Speyside such as Glenfarclas 15 or Aberlour 12 complements the cedar and nuttiness beautifully; alternatively, a well-aged Cuban rum like Ron Santiago de Cuba 11 Años or Havana Club Añejo 7
Wine
A medium-bodied Rioja Reserva — Muga or La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890 — whose earthy tannins and dried fruit notes mirror the cigar's complexity without overpowering its delicacy
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Cuban or Jamaican pour-over coffee, black — the floral acidity and roasted notes echo the cedar, cocoa, and nuttiness of the smoke with remarkable harmony
Who Should Smoke This?
The Montecristo No. 4 is for the aficionado who understands that complexity is not a function of length. It rewards the experienced smoker who has developed a palate for nuance — the interplay of creaminess and cedar, the slow emergence of cocoa and leather over an hour’s quiet reflection. Yet it is also an ideal step for the intermediate enthusiast ready to move beyond the monochromatic blends of the New World and into the layered, terroir-driven world of Cuban habanos. This is the quintessential working cigar: refined enough for a celebratory afternoon or a contemplative evening aperitif, but compact enough for a lunch break or a pause between obligations. It demands no more than fifty-five minutes of your time, but it offers a full measure of the Montecristo experience. If you value elegance over bombast, and subtlety over brute force, this cigar was made for you.
Bottom Line
The Montecristo No. 4 Petit Corona is not merely a great Petit Corona; it is the definitive expression of the format — a cigar that distills the soul of Cuban habano into a compact, perfectly balanced smoke. In a well-aged box, it rivals cigars twice its size and three times its price, delivering a complexity that unfolds with the precision of a vintage Bordeaux. Buy it, age it, and discover why this is the cigar that defined a category.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Montecristo No. 2 cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montecristo No. 4 a strong cigar?
The Montecristo No. 4 is classified as medium strength, rated 3 out of 5. Its profile is elegant and balanced rather than aggressive, though a well-aged example can edge toward medium-full in the final third. The strength is a complement to its complexity, not the star of the show.
What does Montecristo No. 4 taste like?
The flavor profile evolves through three distinct acts. The first third offers creamy cedar, toasted almonds, and white pepper, with notes of damp loam and fresh bread. The second third transitions to aged oak, fine leather, cocoa, and roasted coffee with a cashew-like creaminess. The final third deepens into dark chocolate, espresso, dried fig, and subtle spice, finishing long, dry, and elegant.
How long does Montecristo No. 4 take to smoke?
Expect a smoking time of approximately 45 to 55 minutes. This makes it the quintessential working cigar — refined enough for a celebratory pause but compact enough for a lunch break or evening aperitif.
What is the best pairing for Montecristo No. 4?
A single malt Scotch with restraint — such as Glenfarclas 15 or Aberlour 12 — complements the cedar and nuttiness beautifully. Alternatively, a well-aged Cuban rum like Ron Santiago de Cuba 11 Años or Havana Club Añejo 7 works wonders. For wine, a medium-bodied Rioja Reserva (Muga or La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890) mirrors the cigar's earthy tannins and dried fruit. Non-alcoholic: a single-origin Cuban or Jamaican pour-over coffee, black, whose floral acidity echoes the cocoa and nuttiness.
Is Montecristo No. 4 good for beginners?
While the No. 4 is approachable in size and strength, its complexity and refined character are best appreciated by intermediate to experienced smokers who have developed a palate for layered, terroir-driven flavors. Beginners may find the subtlety less immediately rewarding than bolder blends, but it remains an excellent educational smoke for those ready to explore Cuban habano traditions.
Where can I buy Montecristo No. 4?
As a Cuban habano, the Montecristo No. 4 is available through authorized Cuban cigar retailers worldwide, including La Casa del Habano franchises, licensed duty-free shops, and reputable online vendors that ship to your region. Given widespread counterfeiting, always purchase from verified sources. AshMap recommends checking your country's official Habanos distributor list.
What is the price of Montecristo No. 4?
The Montecristo No. 4 is priced between $18 and $24 per cigar, depending on market, taxes, and aging. This positions it firmly in the premium tier, though it represents exceptional value given its complexity and legacy — especially compared to larger Montecristo vitolas.
Is Montecristo No. 4 worth aging?
Absolutely. The leaves are aged a minimum of two years before rolling, but the No. 4 benefits greatly from three to five years of additional box aging, which deepens the complexity, rounds the spice, and enhances the creamy, dried fruit notes. A well-aged example rivals cigars twice its size and three times its price.
What wrapper does Montecristo No. 4 use?
The wrapper is a Cuban Vuelta Abajo leaf from the Semilla 2000 seed, a Corojo derivative. It is finished in a Colorado shade — a warm reddish-brown with a silky sheen and fine tooth — and is grown exclusively in the Vuelta Abajo region of Pinar del Río, Cuba.
Where is Montecristo No. 4 made?
The Montecristo No. 4 is made in Havana, Cuba, at the historic H. Upmann Factory (Real Fábrica de Tabacos H. Upmann). It is hand-rolled using long filler (tripa larga) and 100% Cuban Vuelta Abajo tobaccos.