Reviews

Date Added: Friday 03 June, 2016

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 Cigar - 1 Single by Staff

Reviewed Jason Maceyko (January 2001) I received my three cigars in perfect condition, just after the New Year. I immediately noticed that they had a beautiful "natural" wrapper and looked quite oily (for a natural). As I picked up the first one, I noticed that it was solid and smooth in structure. I would say perfect in design. The cap was also constructed beautifully. I felt the cigar for bumps and soft spots and found none. Out of curiosity, I checked the other two and didn't find any flaws in those either. By this time, I was excited and already had my punch out to make a perfect circular cut into the nicely flattened cap. I lit my cedar match and "went to work" on this beauty. The initial draw was so easy and effortless that I actually had to look to see if it were lit. Just as I looked, I could taste the smooth, leathery smoke and there was plenty of it. The smoke became even more smooth and leathery, with a nice hint of earthiness, after the next couple of puffs. It was obvious that this was a exceptionally crafted cigar, made with choice tobacco leaf and filler, for a medi

Date Added: Friday 03 June, 2016

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 Cigar - 1 Single by Staff

Reviewed by Drew Rayman (February 2004) My box of Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 was certainly well traveled. Born in Cuba, raised in London. 3 days later: I opened the humidor and remove my first Epicure #2. Looks fine if a bit flat, not the shiny maduro coat of the Hoya Pyramids, rather a dryish natural brown. First thing I usually check is the firmness, especially after a short stay in the box, these were rather solid, about 70% as tight as the the Partagas LE Robusto (which is like a brick). I have a rather unique "cutter"... a friend of mine honed and sharpened a brass 44 caliber bullet (shell) and it punches the most perfect, beautiful hole I've ever seen. Time to light up! Right off the bat, this cigar delivers. Not a hint of bitterness, it was lovely. First third was just a hint of spice, a touch of mocha. The construction was perfect, the draw was full with and easy burn. you will find the second third simply intensifies all the great flavors from the first. Way more earthy and a bit more floral. Right off the bat, this cigar delivers. Not a hint of bitterness,

Date Added: Friday 03 June, 2016

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 Cigar - 1 Single by Staff

Reviewed by Ian Hodgkiss (March 2004) I received one of these as part of a Seleccion Robusto sampler for Christmas. Having been dragged around the New Year sales (which seem to start earlier each year!!) by my wife, I decided that I needed some serious "quiet time" and settled down to watch the horse racing, after a light lunch, with my Epicure No.2 and a glass of Port. Enough preamble, and down to business. The first thing to hit you about this cigar is the flawless construction - a dark, chocolaty brown, oily wrapper with wonderful veining, a lovely sheen and a perfectly uniform thickness the whole length of its body. It feels very firm, but has enough "spring" in its feel to negate any worries about problems with the draw. This is a cigar that screams "Smoke me! You won't be disappointed". I clipped the cap with "V" shaped cutter, and there was absolutely no flaking or shredding of the cap. The pre-light draw confirmed that this was a wonderfully constructed example of this vitola, and already I could pick up an enchanting hint of cedar with a sweet edge to it. Having war

Date Added: Friday 03 June, 2016

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1 Cigar - 1 Single by Staff

Reviewed by Austin Dyer I have smoked a good few of these lovely cigars so I thought I should review one. I spent a nice relaxing afternoon off after my morning run in the noodle bar of a very good Teriyaki restaurant in Liverpool city centre. After a delicious lunch of duck noodles and sake I ordered a coffee and a cigar ash tray then took out my Epicure #1 and clipped the cap. It is one of those cigars I really look forward to, especially as it was a 2002 production from a very good box. The pre-light aroma was classic, first class Hoyo de Monterrey; sweet floral and vanilla tobacco scents. The cigar was very well rolled as usual, looks good enough to eat, soft to the touch and dressed in a nice dark chocolate wrapper. Once I put flame to leaf and got a nice even burn going the flavours oozed out and made my mouth water, started off fairly mellow and mild, a nice amount of spice to it, tickling my nose then it eased its way to a firm medium flavour and body and losing some of the spice to become creamier. Floral, cocoa, vanilla, brown sugar, very complex and delicious. The

Date Added: Wednesday 25 May, 2016

Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto Cigar - 1 Single by Mark

Oh my word what a fantastic cigar. It was so smooth and creamy and really mild. It did burn quite quickly which was a bit sad as I was enjoying it so much and did get a bit warm, but I smoked it until there was nothing left to hold onto. The ash looked wonderful. I really recommend this cigar - an exceptionally good smoke.

Date Added: Saturday 30 April, 2016

H. Upmann Half Corona Cigar - 1 Single by Richard

Got a couple of these recently for a holiday next month - since they arrived I have been eager to try one after all the positive reviews, and as the wife wasn't feeling too well and decided to go bed early, I did the loving husband thing and took the opportunity to slip away to my man-cave and try one out (or, the official line, to let her get a few hours uninterrupted sleep before I came to bed...) Wow! What a superb little cigar. The flavour was right there from the start (thankfully, on such a small stick) and I found it evolved constantly throughout the half hour or so it lasted me (I wasn't paying particularly close attention to the clock...) Burn was perfect, with no touch-ups needed. Draw was a little tight, but that wasn't a terrible thing on a little one like this. The cigar itself was absolutely delicious. Grass, caramel, dark chocolate, honey and coffee appeared at various points (there were a few draws that reminded me particularly of a caramel latte) Throughout the entire cigar there was also plenty of cream and nuts (at one point, it was specifically walnut).