Hoyo Epi 2 URG 2011

[Knvb]

I would like to preface this review with the fact that i'm new to this forum and relatively new to Cigars (2 years). Also, i have been working with an extremely limited 50ct humidor which was filled to the brim last april upon my return from Varadero. Due to this i smoked the majority of my stock very green and found the results to be hit and miss. I had purchased a box of Hoyo epi 2's and Vegas Robaina Unicos with a hodge podge variety of 10-15 singles i picked up. I somewhat futilely tried to save a few cigars to smoke after a full year in the humidor and have just started smoking my paltry minimally aged stock. The first two i smoked were the Unicos and found very little difference in complexity and flavor from previous, tonight i tried my first Hoyo. Also ive never attempted a cigar review I feel like giving it a whirl so bear with me

Pre light.

Great construction, minimal veins perfect draw. A very nice subtle tobacco smell.

First third

A tad bitter off the first few draws. Starts off with an earthy slightly creamy flavor with a long finish and tons of smoke. The hoyo's i smoked right out of the box tended to be extremely bitter almost to the midway point but this was nowhere near as green. Starts off i would say low mid strength and flavor.

Second third

This cigar really picked up near the end of the first third. Tons of cream and a nice spice kick as well. Lots of smoke output and a very oily aftertaste that lingers for a bit. The hay/earthy flavor has been muted by the spice and a slight nutty taste which is really developing nicely. Definitely moved to medium strength and med-full flavor at this point. Nearly perfect burn and draw so far. Still havent ashed it holding on strong

Final third

The cigar really picked up in strength and flavor i would say med-full verging on full for both surprisingly. The cream is still there but the spice and nut flavors have really picked up mixing differently with every draw, really nice transitions. The burn stayed the course ash held on a bit into the final third but kept a perfect draw/burn after. Strength and spice really picked up near the end leaving me a little light headed but overall an amazing cigar. I can really see how aging these can mellow out some of the bitterness and develop the nut/spice/cream flavors. Smoking time just around 55mins accompanied with a canadian whisky 40 Creek.

Off to Cuba in 2 weeks time to refill the o'l humidor (recently purchased another 50ct)!

Cheers

CB

Victoria BC

Canada

[isa]

Great review CB, thanks

Got some 3 packs(i believe) earlier this year, tried a few - didnt enjoy it much!

Time for u to get a bigger humidor

[esse]

Time for u to get a bigger humidor

maybe a cooler for aging and storage

[Dbone]

Welcome to FOH and thanks for the review. Its been a long time since I've smoked an Epi 2. Most chatter on them are either people love them and proclaim them the best Robusto made today, while others call them bland and tasteless LOL. The one you had read like it has a good balance between cream and sharp burt spice kick. In the Hoyo line I'm stocked up on the Des Dieux at the moment. Rest of the line I seem to have bad luck and get the tasteless ones.

[rckymtn22]

Get a blue 48L cooler (from CT or Walmart)and some beads. You will not complain about a lack of space for awhile. Of course that all depends on what you buy in the next year or so.