Juan Lopez Selleccion no 4

What Everyone Gets Wrong About Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 4

Here’s the thing that drives me nuts about most reviews of Juan Lopez cigars – everybody treats them like they’re some kind of budget afterthought. Like they’re the cigars you smoke when you can’t get your hands on a Cohiba or Montecristo. Complete bullshit, if you ask me.

I’ve been smoking Cubans for over two decades now, and I’ll tell you straight up: the Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 4 is one of the most underrated petit coronas coming out of Havana. Period. But here’s why most people miss it – they’re expecting fireworks on the first light. This isn’t a cigar that grabs you by the lapels and screams “LOOK AT ME!” It’s more like that friend who seems quiet at first, then three hours later you realize they’ve been dropping wisdom bombs all night.

I picked up my first box of these back in ’09 during a trip to Mexico (yeah, I know, not the most romantic cigar origin story). Had about forty minutes to kill before a business dinner and figured I’d try something new. Been chasing that first experience ever since.

First Impressions and Construction

The Seleccion No. 4 comes in at about 5 inches with a 42 ring gauge – perfect petit corona dimensions. Construction’s been consistently solid in my experience, though I did get a box last year that had some wrapper issues. Nothing major, just a few with slightly loose caps. Could’ve been storage related (more on that later).

The wrapper’s usually a nice medium brown colorado shade. Not the prettiest cigar you’ll ever see – the Juan Lopez line has never been about showmanship. These look like working man’s cigars, and honestly? That’s part of their charm. I’ve noticed the bands are pretty understated too. Simple white and gold design that doesn’t scream for attention on your cigar shelf.

Pre-light draw is typically perfect. Not too loose, not plugged. I get hints of hay and maybe some light cocoa. Sometimes a touch of that classic Cuban barnyard funk that either makes you weak in the knees or sends you running (if it’s the latter, Cuban cigars probably aren’t your thing anyway).

The Flavor Journey – My Way

Forget all that “first third, second third, final third” nonsense. That’s not how you actually smoke a cigar, and it’s definitely not how the Seleccion No. 4 unfolds.

The opening is… well, it’s polite. Maybe too polite for some smokers. You get wood, some light pepper, and a creamy undertone that reminds me of those café con leche drinks you get in Miami. Nothing earth-shattering. This is where a lot of people write off Juan Lopez cigars entirely, and they’re making a huge mistake.

Give it about fifteen minutes – maybe a third of the way through – and something shifts. The pepper steps up without becoming aggressive. The wood notes deepen into something richer, more complex. I usually start picking up leather around this point, and sometimes (depending on the box) a hint of dark chocolate.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Around the halfway point, this cigar starts showing its Cuban pedigree. The flavors don’t just change – they layer. You’ve got that creamy base still there, but now it’s supporting coffee notes, some earth, and this subtle sweetness that I can only describe as burnt sugar. Not caramel – more complex than that.

The final stretch? That’s where the Seleccion No. 4 earns its keep. The strength bumps up to a solid medium-plus, the flavors concentrate, and you get this wonderful interplay between sweet and savory that makes you slow down and pay attention. I’ve had some that developed an almost nutty finish in the last inch.

Burn’s usually excellent throughout. Draw stays consistent. Very few construction issues once you’re into the smoke.

What I Pair It With (And What Actually Works)

Coffee’s the obvious choice, and yeah, it works great. But not just any coffee – you want something medium roast with some body. I’ve had good luck with Cuban coffee when I can get it, but honestly, a good Colombian or even a quality Mexican coffee does the trick. Skip the dark roasts; they’ll overpower the cigar’s subtleties.

Spirits? This is where I might lose some of you traditionalists. Everyone says rum with Cuban cigars, and sure, a good aged rum works fine. But I’ve found that a quality bourbon actually complements the Seleccion No. 4 better. Something like Buffalo Trace or even Wild Turkey 101. The vanilla and caramel notes in the bourbon play beautifully with that burnt sugar sweetness I mentioned earlier.

Beer wise – and I know this sounds crazy – but try it with a good Belgian dubbel. Had one with a Chimay Red a few months back and it was damn near perfect. The malty sweetness and slight fruitiness of the beer created this whole other dimension to the smoking experience.

Wine… eh. I’ve tried it with various reds and it just doesn’t click for me. The tannins seem to clash with something in the cigar’s profile. Your mileage may vary, but I’d stick with the other options.

Who Should Smoke These (And Who Shouldn’t)

The Seleccion No. 4 is perfect for intermediate to advanced cigar smokers who appreciate subtlety. If you’re the type who needs every cigar to be a flavor bomb, skip these. If you think Nicaraguan powerhouses are the pinnacle of cigar making, these aren’t for you either.

But if you’re someone who can appreciate the quiet complexity of a well-made Cuban cigar, if you don’t need every smoke to announce itself from across the room, then you need to try Juan Lopez cigars. They’re especially good for:

• Morning smokes with coffee
• Business occasions where you want something refined but not showy
• Times when you want to actually taste your drink pairing
• Smokers transitioning from milder cigars to full-bodied ones

Beginners might find them a bit… boring? That’s not the right word, but they don’t have the immediate impact that newer smokers often expect. You need to have developed your palate a bit to really appreciate what’s going on here.

Storage and Aging Thoughts

Here’s something most reviews won’t tell you: Juan Lopez cigars are sensitive to humidity fluctuations. More so than some other Cuban brands, in my experience. Keep them at a steady 65-68% RH and around 65-68°F. I learned this the hard way with a box that got too dry – they became harsh and lost most of their complexity.

As for aging, these actually improve with some time. Fresh boxes can be a bit sharp, sometimes grassy. Give them six months to a year in proper storage and they really start to sing. I’ve got a few from 2019 that are absolutely stellar right now – much more integrated flavors, smoother overall.

One quirk I’ve noticed: they seem to smoke better in cooler weather. Summer smokes with high humidity just don’t showcase them as well. Could be psychological, but I swear they perform better between October and March.

The Controversial Take

Here’s my hot take that’ll probably piss off some people: I think Juan Lopez cigars represent better value than most of the “premium” Cuban brands. Yeah, I said it. You’re paying for tobacco quality and construction, not for marketing and brand prestige.

I’ve smoked plenty of Cohibas that cost three times as much and delivered half the satisfaction. Not all of them – don’t get me wrong – but enough that I question whether we’re sometimes paying for the band rather than what’s inside it.

The Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 4 gives you authentic Cuban terroir, solid construction, and complex flavors at a price that doesn’t require taking out a second mortgage. In today’s crazy Cuban cigar market, that’s worth celebrating.

Quick FAQs

How long should I age these? Minimum six months, but they really hit their stride around the one-year mark. I’ve smoked five-year-old ones that were incredible.

Are they available year-round? Generally yes, but like all Cuban cigars, availability can be spotty depending on your source and current production schedules.

How do they compare to other petit coronas? More subtle than Montecristo No. 4, more complex than Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill. Different league entirely from most non-Cuban petit coronas.

What’s the best time of day to smoke one? I prefer them mid-morning with coffee or late afternoon. They’re too subtle for after a heavy meal, in my opinion.

Bottom Line

The Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 4 isn’t going to change your life or make you rethink everything you know about cigars. But if you’re looking for a reliable, well-made Cuban cigar that rewards patience and attention, it’s hard to do better at this price point.

These aren’t show-off cigars. They’re cigars for smokers who’ve moved past the need to impress anyone and just want to enjoy good tobacco. In a market full of hype and inflated prices, that’s becoming increasingly rare.

Give them a shot. Just don’t expect fireworks on the first puff.