Hoyo de Monterey Petit Robusto

[bolivr]

Down to the last few of the box and so they have been in the humi for a little over 4 years. Short and fat, 50RG x 100mm, with a smooth wrapper.

From my notes over this time they improved in quality of flavour and burn after the first year but then no progression was observed at all.

At cold the aroma is faint barnyard, the test draw was good and showed light tobacco flavour with a hint of sultana. As the cigar progressed there was light roasted bean, some sweetness but I also found the smoke was particularly irritating my eyes and I normally have no trouble keeping a cigar in my mouth or held close to the face. In contrast the smoke out through the nose was smooth and mild.

The worst problem though was the rough burn and the odd effect of the bunch shrinking in from the wrapper which you can see in the photo. This left the wrapper needing regular heat from the lighter to keep up with the burning inside. They burnt this way years ago and it has not got better even with the 65% RH storage conditions over that time. One relight was needed towards the end and the flavour continued pretty much the same but with some old leather added in. Smoking time was about 50 minutes so I did smoke this one quite slowly.

I am not a big fan of these and it may simply be that I do not appreciate the HdM flavour profile. I always held onto them though in the hope they would develop into a more satisfying smoke. Oh well, all part of the journey. How have you guys found these?

[ajgagnon]

I'm just waiting for Pres to jump in with, "I hate that size..."

[agentdaffy007]

I love that cigar, I got a a sampler of 5 at one point and hated them. I smoked them too young and i didn't know better. But make sure you age them 6 months and wow.

I got a cab of 25 from 2006 and they are great!!!

[MontrealRon]

I bought a box when they were the new thing and all the rage, either '04 or '05.

Luckily I got them at a good price, so there is less to regret.

While the raw materials are really excellent, every time I smoke one it is with the thought of how something much better could have been rolled with this tobacco.

Only the first half is at all enjoyable, before it gets too hot and bitter.

I agree as well that they reached their best quickly, and have not improved since.

Frankly, I find the size ridiculous.

This box will probably last me forever, as I so seldom get the urge to smoke one.