Best Cuban Robusto: Partagas D4 vs Montecristo 4 vs Cohiba Robusto

The Partagas Serie D No. 4 is the most iconic Cuban robusto, delivering a bold earth-and-pepper profile that has made it a benchmark for the format since 1972. The Montecristo No. 4 is the world’s best-selling Cuban cigar with a smoother cocoa-and-coffee character, though it is technically a Mareva (petit corona) rather than a true robusto. And the Cohiba Robusto represents the premium end of the spectrum, offering cedar and cream complexity at more than double the price. Which one deserves your money depends on what you want out of a 45-minute smoke.

Here is a straightforward comparison based on specs, flavor, price, and real-world smoking experience.

Head-to-Head Comparison Table

Cigar	Size	Ring Gauge	Price (per cigar)	Body	Primary Flavors	Smoke Time
Partagas Serie D No. 4	4 7/8″	50	~$16	Full	Earth, pepper, leather	45 min
Montecristo No. 4	5 1/8″	42	~$14	Medium	Cocoa, coffee, wood	30 min
Cohiba Robusto	4 7/8″	50	~$37	Medium-Full	Cedar, cream, spice	45 min
Bolivar Royal Corona	4 7/8″	50	~$16	Full	Black pepper, dark chocolate	45 min
Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2	4 7/8″	50	~$13	Mild-Medium	Cream, vanilla, cedar	45 min

Partagas Serie D No. 4: The People’s Champion

The Serie D No. 4 has been the benchmark Cuban robusto since 1972. It opens with an immediate blast of black earth, red pepper, and toasted leather. The second third introduces sweeter notes of dark cocoa and roasted nuts before the final third returns to trademark Partagas intensity with espresso and spice.

At roughly $16 per stick ($400 for a box of 25), it is easy to buy regularly. Construction is generally excellent with a smooth, slightly oily wrapper. This is not a subtle cigar, and that assertiveness is exactly what its fans love. For a deeper breakdown, see our Partagas Serie D No. 4 review.

Montecristo No. 4: The Best Seller with an Asterisk

The Montecristo No. 4 is the most-sold Cuban cigar in the world. A quick disclaimer: at 5 1/8″ x 42, it is technically a Mareva (petit corona), not a robusto. But it gets compared to robustos constantly, so leaving it out would be dishonest.

The flavor is friendlier than the Partagas. It opens with toasted cocoa and fresh coffee, evolving through cedar and a whisper of cinnamon. At around $14 per cigar ($350 per box of 25), it is the most affordable option here. If you are buying your first box of Cuban cigars, this is where most tobacconists will steer you.

Cohiba Robusto: The Premium Play

The Cohiba Robusto is the cigar that starts the price debate in every cigar lounge. At approximately $37 per stick ($925 for a box of 25), it costs more than double the Partagas Serie D No. 4, which shares the exact same dimensions. What does the extra money buy you?

Refinement. The Cohiba undergoes an additional third fermentation that no other Cuban brand receives. The result is a remarkably smooth, layered smoke: aromatic cedar and fresh cream, transitioning through white pepper and toasted almonds, finishing with honeyed sweetness. Where the Partagas punches you in the mouth, the Cohiba takes you by the hand.

Bolivar Royal Corona: The Dark Horse

The Bolivar Royal Corona is for smokers who want maximum intensity. Same dimensions as the Partagas D4, similar price (~$16), but even more aggressive. Waves of cracked black pepper, bitter dark chocolate, espresso, and charred oak. The retrohale is almost fiery in the first third. It never becomes gentle. If you find the Partagas D4 too mild, this is your next stop.

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2: The Smooth Operator

The Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 is the robusto for people who want Cuban terroir without the kick. At roughly $13 per cigar, it delivers mild-to-medium body with cream, vanilla bean, light cedar, and gentle hay sweetness. Most often recommended to beginners, but do not mistake “mild” for “boring.” With two or three years of age, it develops a buttery richness that surprises even veteran smokers.

The Debate: Is the Cohiba Robusto Worth 2.5x the Price?

The Case for Yes

The Cohiba’s triple fermentation genuinely produces a smoother, more refined smoke. The consistency is among the best in Cuba’s entire portfolio. The flavor complexity, particularly the cream and honey notes in the final third, is simply not replicated by any other Cuban robusto. And for a special occasion or when you want to savor a single cigar with your full attention, the Cohiba delivers an experience that justifies the premium.

The Case for No

Flavor is subjective, and many experienced smokers actually prefer the raw character of the Partagas D4 or Bolivar Royal Corona. You could buy two boxes of Partagas Serie D No. 4 (50 cigars) for the price of one box of Cohiba Robustos (25 cigars). The Cohiba brand carries a prestige tax that inflates the price beyond what the tobacco alone warrants. And frankly, in a blind test, plenty of seasoned aficionados have trouble distinguishing a well-aged Partagas D4 from a Cohiba Robusto.

The Honest Answer

If you can comfortably afford Cohiba prices without wincing, the Robusto is a genuinely excellent cigar that delivers a distinctive smoking experience. If you are buying cigars to smoke regularly, the Partagas Serie D No. 4 gives you 90% of the quality at 40% of the price. The smart play: keep a few Cohiba Robustos in the humidor for special occasions and smoke Partagas or Bolivar daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular Cuban cigar size?

The robusto (4 7/8″ x 50 ring gauge) is the most popular Cuban cigar size worldwide. It became dominant in the 1990s because it offers a full flavor experience in roughly 45 minutes, fitting modern lifestyles better than 90-minute churchills. The Partagas Serie D No. 4 and Cohiba Robusto are the top-selling robustos.

What makes a robusto different from a corona?

A robusto measures 4 7/8″ to 5″ with a 50 ring gauge, while a corona is longer and thinner at roughly 5 5/8″ x 42. The wider robusto allows for more filler tobacco and a more complex blend. Robustos smoke cooler and deliver thicker, creamier smoke. Coronas offer a more concentrated flavor with greater wrapper influence.

Which Cuban robusto has the most flavor?

The Bolivar Royal Corona is widely considered the most intensely flavored Cuban robusto, delivering powerful black pepper, dark chocolate, and espresso in a full-bodied package. The Partagas Serie D No. 4 is a close second with its trademark earth-and-leather profile. For those who prefer complexity over sheer strength, the Cohiba Robusto offers the most layered and nuanced flavor experience, though at a significantly higher price point.