Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 smoke and drink pairing review

[Chucko8]

Sunday afternoon pairing of Hoyo Epicure #2 and a glass of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc.

Had been out on a hike with the family up to the Big Buddha in Hong Kong during the morning, so was ready for a little relaxation in the afternoon after the climb.

 

 

Cold draw gives vanilla and cedar.

·         1/3 – Was giving me cedar and sweet florally tea flavour. Right off the bat there is plenty of creamy feeling in the smoke and the content of smoke is pleasingly copious.

·         2/3 – An increase in the cream and the tea flavour takes on a little spice, which gave it a nice zing but not overpowering something like rind and pepper. Smoke content still copious and the burn was very good. I had placed the cigar down and gone inside to chat with the family a few times and the cigar just held up nicely, no relighting required. The wine which is not my usual choice of beverage is surprisingly accompanying better than I thought possible. Must have been the 10KM hike. The wife coaxed me into having a glass with her, so I allowed my rubber arm to be twisted as any alcohol was going to be better than none! Anyway after having some toward the end of the final of the 2/3 a nut profile started to show itself, which was very pleasing to me.

·         3/3 – The creamy nut and tea flavours are still here and light caramel sweetness coming in. The smoke content is still nice and thick and the flavour has picked up to medium.

 

The age of this cigar was unknown to me as it was given to me by a friend a few months ago. Overall this cigar was a smooth light medium flavour which was just what I felt like on this occasion, which may have been why the white wine seemed to blend in. If I had of been looking for a stronger profile would have finished off feeling wanting. Though the lighter profile this time was just what the doctor ordered and I felt bloody great post it. Great end to a good day! 

[slowsmoke]

Nice review and great pics.  An Epi 2 and a good Sav sounds like a great pair to me.  I think I'll try it ?

[leafdream54]

Thank you for the review & the beautiful pics!  I hadn't considered pairing a white wine with a lighter bodied cigar, but it makes sense.  I'll give this a try soon. ? 

[Chucko8]

5 hours ago, leafdream54 said:

Thank you for the review & the beautiful pics!  I hadn't considered pairing a white wine with a lighter bodied cigar, but it makes sense.  I'll give this a try soon. ? 

Let me know how it goes for you