Hoyo De Monterrey Epi 2 AME AGO 13 : REVIEW

[lbagak]

Hi all,

This is my first ever review on the forum, so please excuse the lack detail and expression. This cigar is from a box of 25s which I acquired six months ago I think.

This is the second night in a row I am smoking this cigar. I took out two of them from my desktop humidor before placing them in a XIKAR cigar "transporter". You know those things that can fit three cigars. The actual name you call them alludes me at this particular moment. Yesterday's stick was a underfilled, squashy mess I couldn't finish it even though the accountant in me demanded I smoke it to the finish to squeeze every cent I paid for it. Alas, lack of smoke, flavour and the fact that it was burning hot ( had to double/triple puff to get decent smoke) made me stop.

Nasty at best. Tonight's stick from the same box laying side by side in the humidor is a completely different story. The stick is firm with a slight give when pressed. The pre light draw to me pleasant with a touch tobacco flavour.

First third

This cigar is always very aromatic and mild to me in the first third. Very enjoyable and easy to smoke. A bit cedary and creamy. I used to smoke cigarettes in the past and started smoking cigars to stop a year ago. I have stopped smoking cigarettes completely and I can say when I first started smoking these Epi 2s, to me it was a boring smoke with no taste. After quitting cigarettes though these cigars are extremely aromatic and creamy. It's true what they say about cigarettes messing with your taste buds and palate.

Second third

This cigar is starting to gain a bit a strength and the flavours now have some leather and earth. I remove the first band usually now as the heat has softened the glue. These bands are to me notorious to remove cleanly. I think I am getting a bit of nicotine buzz. This never used to bother me but since I stopped smoking cigarettes I have felt ill from smoking cigars a few times and NO I do not inhale.

Final third

I don't usually nub my cigars and for my robustos usually there is only two times the ash will drop before I stop smoking it. The cigar has gained more flavour and taste more earthy now. I seldom need to relight or touch up cigars and tonight is no exception. The burn is self correcting and I know I am repeating myself but the smoke is extremely aromatic and pleasant. I am accompanying this smoke with a light green tea. The cigar is too mild to be drinking anything too strong like coffee IMO. The burn line is nearing the second band it has become more cedary I think. Thru the nose there is no zing of ammonia throughout the smoke. I think these leaves were cured well.

Usually I will stop here as I am a firm believer in stopping before the cigar becomes not enjoyable. Tonight it still pleasant so I will continue on. Sometimes I stop not because of the cigar but because I can't stand the heat at my porch anymore. Tonight is a sweltering 30C and near 100% humidity. Sweating buckets now and neighbours must be thinking what a nut job I am.

There is a slight spice now emerging together with the earth. Smoked slowly these cigars are a joy to smoke.

Conclusion

How two sticks can be so different even though it was from the same box and kept in the same conditions never fails to amaze me. Yesterday was so bad I stopped smoking it. Today was excellent and I want to go get another stick to smoke. I'd like to think that because it is handmade product and made is from plants there must be some variability in it. NCs though never have this problem. Burns razor sharp and consistent stick to stick. If only the flavour was ...... The cigars in my rotation are these, RASS and various Por Larranagas. These are the easiest to smoke and RASS delicious when on and the PLs are the best for the buck.

I hope you have enjoyed my short review. Good night!!

[Optic101]

Great review, thanks for taking the time.

[Rye]

A nice review! I hope the rest of your box are well packed!

[lbagak]

Thanks. Feel sick now though. Nicotine buzz sucks. Hard to believe I was smoking nearly two packs a day a year ago.

[mikek]

Good job! I also smoke Hoyo #2 it seams like it will useualy be my first smoke in the morning with espresso.

[Habana Mike]

Thanks for the review, glad #2 was much better than #1, hope the rest of your box matches the former.

[PigFish]

Nice review mate. Congrats on winning!

Cheers! -Piggy

[Habana Mike]

Way to go! Now you need to review the prize smokes as well

[Laxman]

Nicely done, great cigar has always been a staple in my humi.

[lbagak]

Thanks guys. I will definitely savour the cigars and review them if possible.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

[mikek]

Just fired up one of four left in A box that was on. The one I fired up this morning started really harsh the first one! About 3/8" in it smoothed out any idea what would cause this? It was so harsh I almost tossed it! Now it's smokeing just great!

[lbagak]

Not sure mate. I guess it adds to the mystery of Cuban cigars. Enjoy your smoke.

[Ramrod918]

Great first review!

[mk05]

First third...very aromatic and mild...Very enjoyable...bit cedary and creamy...Second third...starting to gain a bit a strength and the flavours now have some leather and earth..Final third...gained more flavour.

I am a big fan of Hoyo. Thanks for the review!

[Habana Mike]

I am a big fan of Hoyo. Thanks for the review!

So have you had a Honduran GC one lately?