In Cuba’s cigar factories, rather than bearing the incessant though highly emotive ramblings of salsa music as you might imagine, it is in fact literature that entertains the torcedores (cigar rollers) as they work. Each factory floor has its own lector who reads to... the rollers and one of the favourite stories is Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, and it was this favoured book that lent its name to one of the world’s best-selling cigar marques. In fact, Montecristo No.4, a medium-to-full-bodied petit corona is the world’s favourite cigar, owing to its approachable dimensions, nutty and complex flavour, and its modest smoking time of around 30 minutes. The company was founded in 1935 by Alonso Menéndez after he acquired the Particulares factory in Cuba, and significant marketing was invested by the Dunhill company, increasing the marque’s reputation. The house style is one of medium-to-full-bodied, rich flavour, and a unique character from a distinct blend of tobaccos.