Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 : MGR JUN 13 : HdM Review Comp 2016

[GavLew79]

Sadly, the last of the box. I did indeed "Hoe in" like El Pres says. 

It's a cool crisp evening, portending the start of Autumn here in the UK. Dry, thankfully. 

Construction is good, draw a little on the loose side but manageable. It starts very woody and reminds me of campfire. I got a puncture in the driver's front tyre just as I entered our estate on the way home today, luckily not on the 1hr commute itself! I'll have to get it fixed in the morning which is a blessing and a curse. The garage doesn't open til 0830 so that means I get a lie-in and no 0600 alarm. The bad side; I'll be late for an important meeting and it's £90 a tyre. Hey ho. This and some Aberlour 10 is sufficient solace. 

The wood settles to cream around the 1/2 inch mark, the smoke cool and mellow. Hints of allspice or cinammon come in waves, BUT, there's a nagging harshness. 

Despite the easy draw it's a slow burner, packed with filler. Time to get a beer in the freezer to chill. 

Some slight burn issues arise which I correct for...

And I get disapproving glances from my faithful smoking companion, Jasmine...

Flavours embolden with cedary, sappy wood and sweet coffee cream. Hints of tongue tingling spice emerge. The harshness has gone. Palate acclimatisation or a bad spot in the blend? Who knows? I feared I had a dud but this is firing on all cylinders now. Delicious. 

It closes beautifully becoming almost full if not medium-full with a flourish of strong  white Americano coffee, creamy sweet woodiness, leather and,....YES, nailed it; Marzipan!

A fitting end to a great box. 92/100.