Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial LGR JUL 18 (HDMCRW)

[Deeg]

Pairing: Sol Cubano, Stranger Things S3E06

This was the first of a box of PSP Especiales picked up from the 24:24 a few weeks back.  Rested for about 45 days and dryboxed at 62% RH for 3 days.

This was my first EE, and it was quite a ride.  A real show pony - gorgeous dark Colorado wrapper with a touch of Rosado, and those uber-classy HdM double-bands.  Pre-light was sweet, cinnamon, vanilla and cedar.  That carried through into the first third - vanilla and cedar very prominent, with cinnabon and heavy cream.  Very consistent through the second third, with the body gradually building from medium to medium-full.  Final third was quite woody and less sweet with Islay single malt notes of sea salt and bonfire emerging, and unfortunately the cigar started to burn a bit hot - a product of the amount of effort I had to put in because of a pretty tight draw all the way through.

On balance about 88/89 - though the flavors themselves would have been well into the 90's, as they were sublime for the first two thirds.  The smoke had that noted creamy quality, but I just couldn't get enough volume of it.  Burn was pretty straight, ask was firm and light grey, altogether a show pony - just let down by that stubbornly tight draw which never let go.  With a better burn this would have been a top 10 cigar experience for me, that's how wonderful the flavors were - hopefully with a little more rest the draw will loosen up.  No other signs of youth apart from that - certainly no mongrel, as the smoke was very refined for the first two-thirds.

[Akela3rd]

Nice review. I've got a box from March '17 that had similar draw issues. I've had a couple from it but they're now put away with a note saying "Mar 20'. I reckon 3 years could be a good starting point for these... can't wait!

Sent from 47171 Lempo 

[Deeg]

13 minutes ago, Akela3rd said:

Nice review. I've got a box from March '17 that had similar draw issues. I've had a couple from it but they're now put away with a note saying "Mar 20'. I reckon 3 years could be a good starting point for these... can't wait!

Sent from 47171 Lempo 
 

My patience will stretch to the limit, because the flavors were really outstanding.

[Deeg]

I've smoked through half this dress box of 10 now, which is going on 2 years.  Only 2 of the 5 have had a decent draw but the flavors, damn - when it smokes like the one tonight, thick clouds of rich smoke, what a cigar.  Cedar, vanilla, gingerbread, cream.  It may not be an exceptionally complex profile but it's so in tune with itself.  Those flavors are always there, but I'm hoping a little age is smoothing out the draws because it's so frustrating when they're tent pegs.  I managed to salvage two to the smokable level with the draw tool, and one was beyond even that.   

[teamrandr]

I have smoked two 10 counts of these in the last year.  They both had great draws.  Hope the rest come through for you!