Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 Unknown (49NRW)

[Zaxeiler]

Happy Thanksgiving to folks in the US! Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2. From a trade with a buddy, so unknown box code, from 2017/2018.

Aroma is sweetened hay, almost with a hint of cereal grain. The foot has some darker notes of peanut. Cold draw is open, very light honey and fruit undertones.

Initial puffs are a softened cedar. Settling in, the cereal sweetness comes back making this sweetened biscuit. A little cream in the background. I totally get where people describe this as cookies and cream.

Into the middle third, getting more of a cedar and cream profile, the “cookie” cereal notes are more in the background now. But they come up again from time to time. Nearing the end of the middle third, the cedar has faded to the background, sweet cream is dominant. Cedar still on the retro, but very light (which is good for me, since heavy cedar is not my favorite - a great spice/additive, not a fan when it’s the main course).

In the back third, profile is unchanged. Halfway through, a couple random puffs of the ”cookies” comes back. With about an inch left, hit another light spot and let it go.

Draw is a little too open, but smoke output is great. Wavy burn line. Must have hit a void (with the under fill) about halfway through, had to relight. Entering the final third, hit another void/light section. Needed ~4 puffs to bring smoke back, even after short breaks. Rarely comment on strength, but this is a solid smoke. Got a nice buzz, even after a big meal. Only lasted ~45 minutes with the light fill.

I'd give this a 3.5/5, a great smoke, lost a little due to being underfilled, but that's Cuba QC for you. Happy Thanksgiving!