Hoyo Epicure Especial (non-LE): The Final Word?

[Pilot]

I came upon FriendsofHabanos searching for confirmation of my very negative impression of the Hoyo Epicure Especial. Being a novice, I was looking to explain how my taste could go completely against the consensus (everywhere else on the net, they say the EE is great)! I found not one, but two reviews here on FoH (# 1, # 2) rejecting it in even stronger terms than I did. (That they were both to be found only here speaks volumes, I think, of the depth and reliability of this forum and I plan to frequent it faithfully .)

Then I found comments (# 1, # 2, # 3) which suggest that aging is paramount and possibly very capable of transforming the EE.

I posted my review elsewhere, before I joined FoH. If it is of interest, I could write it here as well, to rekindle a discussion on the great disparity of opinion (see, e.g., stargazer14's positive remarks, or a later review). Is it aging, after all?

EDIT: This is my original post on the Especial (my second, after a very positive review of the Epi No.1):

I am far from experienced so please take my impression of the Epi Especial with the proverbial grain (rock, rather) of salt. In fact, this is a request for comments, inasmuch as it is a review, because my findings below are against the consensus on this cigar!

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial

Size:

50 x 5.6" (141mm) — Gorditos (Robusto Extra)

Smoke time:

40 minutes to middle - estimated 1 hour 20 mins.

Age

: Unknown (bought as a single). Listed as a 2008 release at cubancigarwebsite.com

In my humidor for

: One week, at 70% (Hygrometer is "Angelo", 75% during salt test).

Appearance:

I cannot judge a wrapper yet, so here is a photo (click to enlarge):

Construction:

No problems with cutting, although I did get a feeling that a Palio, or equivalent, would have been more reassuring with this cigar (perhaps this applies to larger ring sizes in general - I don't know yet). Burn was not as uniform as I had hoped for but there were no major problems. The ash was firmer and darker than the Epicure No. 1. The draw was good, even if not perfectly "linear". I did not have to relight but, on the other hand, I did not go past the middle (see below).

Flavour:

An initial hit of dry wood with some pepper. The latter increased its claim in the mix as the burn progressed, while the wood never subsided. To me a rather uninspired combination but, thankfully, there are also minor hints of almond, dried fruit, "sea salt" (not sure how else to describe this last one). Alas, as much as I kept searching for it, I could not find what had led others to give the Especial a high mark. Admittedly, others are experts while I am a novice but I just did not see the complexity, or a reason to "admire" this cigar - in the way I had admired the No.1 (a few "flat" spots aside). This is, of course, a "heftier" cigar, with more nicotine than its easygoing cousin (very distant cousin). This fact, combined with inexperience, could have put me off. On the other hand, I felt no "nicotine buzz" or displeasure. Eventually, my feeling became that this is a "wannabe": a cigar outside the usual HdM character (assuming the No.1 is representative of that character) which falls flat on its face as it tries to pack a bit more "punch". I gave up on it after forty minutes, having reached just the middle.

Overall:

I was hoping that this would prove a better, more complete, incarnation of the No.1 and I was disappointed. I am hoping that someone more knowledgeable can recognize in my description a common fault: e.g., needs significant aging, needs 67% instead of 70%, etc. For now, the Epicure Especial is crossed off my list.

[Colt45]

I posted my review elsewhere, before I joined FoH. If it is of interest, I could write it here as well

Definitely post a review in the review section. Now the next person searching for reviews of this cigar will have that much more information

[Pilot]

Thanks, I have added it to my post above (seems the best place for it?).

[Tarks]

Thanks for the review!

I am a big fan of the HdM EE. From my experience I have found these to be very good ROTT, then go downhill after a month or so of opening the cab. But, after a few years they come back to life! I just ordered myself a few more cabs, should be here next week. A side note, I prefer to store my cc's between 60% - 64%.

[Pilot]

"Right Off the Truck" - I had to look it up! Thanks Tarks, the EE I tried was a single and quite possibly in that "intermediate" stage you mentioned.

I have been aiming for less than 70% but now you got me thinking!

[Tarks]

Most people store their cc's at a lower RH than nc's and there is a reason for that. I just don't know what it is! But they sure taste better at a lower RH!