Montecristo No.4

The Montecristo No. 4 is the world's best-selling Cuban cigar — a Corona measuring 129mm with a 42 ring gauge, beloved for its perfect balance of complexity, accessibility and smoke time. Medium-bodied with cedar, nuts, coffee and a long, refined finish across approximately 40 minutes, the No. 4 is the cigar that introduced more smokers to Cuban cigars than any other vitola ever produced. It is the benchmark against which all Cuban Coronas are measured.

The No. 4 is the definitive Montecristo — for the full story of the brand, read our complete guide to Montecristo cigars.

Further reading: the craft behind every cigar

About Montecristo

Montecristo is the world's best-selling Cuban cigar brand — first produced in 1935 at the H. Upmann factory in Havana, where rollers named it after Alexandre Dumas' novel The Count of Monte Cristo, which they read aloud during rolling sessions. The classic range — No. 1 through No. 5 — represents some of the most balanced and consistently excellent Cuban cigars ever made. Today Montecristo is produced at the Francisco Donatién factory in Pinar del Río and encompasses the classic range, the Edmundo family, the Open series, and the prestigious Línea 1935.

Tasting Notes of the Montecristo No. 4

The No. 4 is a masterclass in balance — medium-bodied with consistent complexity across its 40-minute smoke time and an impeccable construction that has made it the world's most popular Cuban cigar.

- Pre-light: Cedar and sweet tobacco with a characteristic earthiness — the classic Montecristo aroma.

- First Third: Cedar and toasted nuts open cleanly, with a gentle sweetness and a smooth, consistent draw. This is accessible from the very first puff.

- Second Third: Coffee and light leather develop alongside continued cedar and nuts. A subtle spice on the retrohale. Perfectly balanced and consistently enjoyable.

- Final Third: Black pepper and earth emerge, with a long, refined finish. Medium-bodied throughout — never aggressive, always elegant.

- Overall: Medium-bodied, balanced and consistently excellent — the world's most popular Cuban cigar, and with good reason.

English Market Selection.

Free UK delivery for purchases over £50.

Explore more Montecristo cigars: Montecristo No. 2 | Montecristo Collection

Fun Facts About the Montecristo No. 4

The Montecristo No. 4 is consistently the best-selling Cuban cigar in the world — not just within the Montecristo range, but across the entire Habanos S.A. portfolio. Its combination of accessibility, quality and smoke time has made it the default Cuban cigar recommendation by tobacconists worldwide for decades.

The numbering system of the classic Montecristo range — No. 1 through No. 5 — runs from largest to smallest. The No. 1 is the longest (165mm Cervantes), while the No. 5 is the most compact (102mm Perla). The No. 4, second smallest, became the most popular — proving that accessibility often matters as much as scale.

Montecristo cigars were famously read about during their creation — a lector at the H. Upmann factory in 1935 read The Count of Monte Cristo to the rolling team, who were so captivated by the story that they chose to name their new cigar after it.

FAQ About the Montecristo No. 4

Why is the Montecristo No. 4 so popular?
The No. 4 hits the ideal balance of accessibility, complexity and smoke time. Medium-bodied enough for relatively new smokers, complex enough to satisfy experienced aficionados, and at 40 minutes long enough to enjoy without requiring a major time commitment.

How does it compare to the No. 2?
The No. 2 is a Piramide — wider at the foot and tapering to a point — and is medium to full-bodied with greater complexity and a longer smoke. The No. 4 is more accessible and quicker; the No. 2 is the aficionado's choice.

Is the No. 4 good for beginners?
Yes — along with the Romeo y Julieta Mille Fleurs and the H. Upmann Petit Coronas, the Montecristo No. 4 is one of the three most commonly recommended first Cuban cigars by tobacconists worldwide.

What does EMS mean?
English Market Selection — confirming the cigars arrived via the official Habanos UK importer Hunters & Frankau and passed additional authenticity and condition checks.