HOYO DE MONTERREY EPICURE No. 2

HOYO DE MONTERREY
EPICURE No. 2
ROBUSTO


Origin: Cuba
Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba



TASTING SHEET RESULTS

SIZE: 4 7/8x50

APPEARANCE: very good, moderately veiny, evenly colored colorado maduro wrapper, a bit wrinkly, but appears well constructed, the only flaw is a stain on the wrapper just above the band... looks like some sort of resin residue

CONSTRUCTION: very good to excellent: firmly applied wrapper and cap, firm, nicely filled bunch with fine give, good cap, tight seams all the way

DRAW: perfect

BURN: very good, tipical cuban

AROMA: excellent

FLAVOR: excellent

DOMINANT FLAVORS: chocolate, salt, leather, earth, caramel

AFTERTASTE: chocolate, salt, leather, earth

STRENGHT: moderate

SMOKING TIME: ~ 100 minutes

GENERAL IMPRESSION: excellent

CUT: Double guillotine

PRELIGHT: salt, leather, strong molasses

LIGHT: torch flame lighter, easily

BEVERAGE: coffee black

1/3:

Upon lighting, cigar immediately releases generous amount of thick chocolate with woody background in the thick waft of smoke. Initial puff reveals salty background. Light pepper on nose blow but very, very smooth. Tipical cuban burn, thick mascara with jagged burn line. Body in the mild to medium range. Medium gray ash flakes a bit. This cigar is pure delight. Divine aroma of honey and chocolate linger in the air. Nearing second third, body slowly picks up momentum, while smoke remains very cool and smooth.

2/3:

Flavors remain constant, chocolate still dominates while wood acts as a backdrop. Smooth pepper with salt on the nose persists. Medium salty finish. Ashing reveals no cone. Since I bought single, I am not aware of box code, so I dont know the age on this stick. The key word describing this smoke is smooth. The cigar performs admirably in all departments. Body still in the lower medium, but with rich, full flavor coating the palate on every puff. One could almost eat the thick chocolaty aroma of this stick. Bordering on the final third, hints of vanilla mingle with wood in the background. Finish at this point turns to heavy wood, while salt lessens a notch of two.

3/3:

This majestic symphony of flavors continues. Heavier pepper is evident on the nose blow.

NUB:

The body of the cigar is turning soft, while flavors start heading toward bitter territory, but with chocolate coating still present. Finish is longer with heavy charred wood notes, while ash is turning darker and flakes more. Ash is not compact, much like thru the most of the smoke. No cones were revealed upon ashings. Body settles in solid medium. No tar build-up. Once I finished this smoke, I noticed that my fingers smelled fantastic... like warm, rich mixture of freshly ground coffee and sweet cocoa.
I love this cigar. It really shines in all possible directions and I will definitely smoke more in the future.