Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No 2 Reserva SOM DIC 16 (FWRC) Side by Side Review

[Bucky McSwensen]

Picked up a single for a steep mark up at the Puerto Vallarta LCDH.  Surprisingly compared to their reg production the reservas, regionals and limitadas aren't much more.  Still more than island prices but the rarity of it made it enticing to try.  This is the first reserva I have tried and I have a couple GR singles tucked away for a special day.

Darkest Epi 2 I have ever seen.  This thing has a delicious creamy dry draw.  First few puffs are unremarkable but then bam!  Rich smooth sweet creamy coffee.  Waves of spiced tea come in and out.  I get some of the hay and twang but nothing overpowering.  Milk chocolate with a touch of cinnamon comes and goes.  Second half gets a bit more robust and shows that it has some potential for further aging.  No harshness or edges.  Just a ton of complexity and flavor while still maintaining a fairly mild profile.  This one made my weekend.

I value this stick at $32

Cost Ratio - 0.53

Cuba Ratio - 1.76

 

Comparison:

This is leagues above the reg production, but I cannot justify buying these at the PV LCDH prices.  If I could ever get some at island prices I would stock up.  This is everything the HDM epi 2 should be.  Every note I have ever got a glimpse of in a standard hdm epi 2 is presented in the most luxurious way.