Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robustos ORA May 15 (XNYRC)

[Bucky McSwensen]

This has been and always will be one of my favorite smokes.  One of my first Cuban box purchases was an OCT 16 box that I went through way too quick.  Most of my others are from 17 18 and 19 and they all smoke great with age or fresh.  This is my go to value smoke under any circumstances as I can typically get it for about 6 to 7 bucks a stick (sometimes more for psp).  I know these will be great for a newbie or an expert and they are cheap and short enough that I don’t cry if someone tosses them halfway in.  I picked up this box recently from another collector who let em go cheap since the box was damaged.  Took the risk and was rewarded as the sticks were flawless.  Rarely do this but smoked it ROTT for fun and got the rare huge success.

Oily mottled wrapper.  Kinda lumpy.  Great draw.  First hit was magic.  Cream, slight light roast coffee, a little baking spice.  This is what I always hope to wow people with when they try a Cuban for the first time and this stick continues to be my go to for introductions.

The wow factor calms down a bit after the first third but is still incredibly smooth and has tons of flavor.  The baking spice and coffee drop off and I get a lightly sweet cream.  At the midway it picks back up with the baking spices and adds an almost paprika and black pepper kick that is unheard of for hdm.  It drops off as quickly as it showed up.  But this thing still has legs to grow.

Final third unfortunately has to get tossed due to time.  Always a shame to cut these short when they are smoking so well but I am very happy I have 24 more and I only lost a little in cost (although a ton in value).  Definitely gonna tuck some away long term but these are smoking great right now and there is no need to avoid them.

I value this stick at 12 bucks.

Cuba ratio – 2.07

Cost ratio – 2.31