Hoyo de Monterrey is yet another Cuban brand that has been hijacked by a U.S. company in an effort to confuse American consumers. The original Hoyo, founded by José Gener in 1865, remains one of my favorite brands from the forbidden isle, anchored by the Epicure Especial, Double Corona, and Epicure No. 2.
While the Honduran Hoyos manufactured by Estelo Padrón for General Cigar are unrelated but in name, they are not to be dismissed as mere marketing gimmicks. Such blends as the Dark Sumatra and Excalibur Legend have attracted loyal followings in their own right.
About two years ago, the Hoyo de Tradición blend joined the Hoyo de Monterrey portfolio. It sports a Jamastran viso rosado wrapper leaf, a Connecticut binder, and a three-country filler combination of Honduran San Agustin, Dominican piloto cubano, and Nicaraguan tobacco from the volcanic island of Ometepe.
The four box-pressed Hoyo de Tradición vitolas—Corona, Epicure, Toro, and Toro Grande—are handmade in Cofradia, Honduras. They each carry regal white, red, and gold bands that are strikingly similar to those found on Hoyo Double Coronas from Cuba. Must be a coincidence.
I smoked four Epicures (5.25 x 50) for this review. Each included a mottled and toothy wrapper, a rough cap, and a consistently firm feel. Fragrant pre-light aromas of sweet earth and coffee creamer are enticing.
After toasting the foot, establishing an even burn, and studying the first few puffs, I find a straightforward flavor of bitter coffee and black pepper spice. A stale aftertaste occasionally crops up as tastier notes of almond and cream fade in and out. The aromatic resting smoke keeps things more interesting than they otherwise would be.
Past the midway point, the Epicure drops the bitter and stale flavors for a smoother profile of cocoa, caramel, and spice. This is the sweet spot. The final third is sour and meaty.
All the while the physical properties are impeccable. The white ash layers nicely and sturdily off the foot, the burn line is even, and the draw is easy and productive—each puff yielding bountiful bunches of thick smoke.
I paid just over $5 per Epicure at my local tobacconist. At that price this cigar is a decent purchase. It may not have the subtle complexities of a special occasion smoke, but it certainly satisfies as a respectable everyday selection if you’re looking for a fragrant stick with great construction. Those qualities earn the Hoyo de Tradición Epicure three stogies out of five.
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–Patrick A
photo credit: Stogie Guys