Hoyo De Monterrey Piramides LE 2003

[shrink]

Hoyo De Monterrey Piramides LE 2003

While rooting around in the depths of the humidor today, I re-discovered a nearly full box of these beautiful, but oh, so disappointing, cigars. Now don't get me wrong, I polished off my first box of these lovelies in, what, 2005? And I enjoyed each and every one. One of the best Hoyos ever, IMHO, they were rich, spicy and on the full side of medium-bodied. Just delectable. So in my unerring wisdom, I put down another box for my cigar-smoking posterity.

What a tragic mistake. By 2006 these were headed downhill, and fast. Expecting them to come around, I patiently waited... and waited... and waited. After smoking a half-dozen or so, I came to the reluctant conclusion that they were, uh... dead. The last one I tried was absolutely flavorless. Frankly, it reminded me more of musty cardboard than of tobacco. After a couple of inches of boredom, I put it down. So into the dungeon they went, a total waste of space, not to mention money.

Or so I thought. The one I smoked today was surprisingly good. Not the robust, full-flavored and complex cigars of yore, but I enjoyed every draw. Medium-bodied, toasty, and full of flavor. Ha ha! Ha ha!

I've had plenty of cigars that have gone into "sick" periods, and later came back as champions. I've come to expect that of Habanos. But these Hoyos were completely dead. Flavorless. Blah.

Does anybody know what the chemistry is behind this kind of turn-around? What in the hell is going on inside the tobacco leaves that enable them to rise, Lazarus-like, from the grave?

[Mr Peales]

Shrink,

Good to hear about your smokes rising from the dead. Please report back on these in the future and let us know if this last one was an anomaly.

[Mr.T]

Shrink,

Glad to hear you found it surprisingly good. I have about half a box left from the second run production and I must admit, while not great, they are still a very enjoyable smokes with that toasty character you speak of. It's been a while since I had one so I'll go back and see how they are doing.

[bassman]

Good to hear they came back. I gave up on mine a while ago & traded them away. They were the second run (silver bands). I've always thought the first run with the darker bands was a much better cigar. Either way, I have none left & will have to satisfy myself with my few remaining Partagas Piramides.