Hoyo Escogidos - SOU JUN 20 (M&CRW)*

[Chibearsv]

Haven't posted a contest review in a while but cigars and tunes on the patio is my happy place so here goes.

Usually, I just listen to a mix of songs while smoking and reading but after a couple puffs, this cigar deserved the full-on Pink Floyd album attention.  First -Wish You Were Here, then Animals - probably my 2 favorite albums and if any of the younger crowd on the forum haven't put the headphones on yet to listen to Animals, Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, and The Wall while reading the lyrics, I can't recommend strongly enough how great those albums are.  Their music really suits cigar smoking and contemplation so well.  On to the cigar

I purchased a couple boxes of these due to some very positive reviews I've read.  I really was looking for HDC since @rcarlson convinced me to give them another go, but they were unavailable anywhere at the time.  Since Escogidos were similar sized and available, I bought them to try instead (funny how the mind works) and I honestly thought I was overpaying for Hoyos by buying these.

They are beautiful cigars to the eye, the feel, the nose.  A barnyard and sweet aroma to them out of the box.

Opening - Wow, what a hit of milk chocolate and caramel! - my palate and ability to describe cigar flavors isn't in the same league as plenty of others on the forum but this flavor was unmistakable and absolutely delicious.  Those flavors only lasted for a few puffs before it transitioned into a more familiar Hoyo twanginess and cream.

Middle - Flavors transition to earthier flavors like mushroom.  The mushroom type flavor I get is an interesting one for me since I've had it in other cigars that forum tasters have described as Juicy Fruit gum.  If I let my mind think "gum" I get it, not Juicy Fruit in this case but like well chewed bubble gum (interesting), plus I'm getting some sweet nuttiness.  Tons of white creamy smoke.

Final - Back to pure Hoyo gold for me.  The barnyard twanginess, slight chocolate sweetness, and cream.  Flawless construction and burn.  Never a harsh moment.  Absolutely nubbed it.

This cigar is a gem that was worth every penny and is the cigar of the year for me so far.  The flavors do bounce around a bit so maybe some time down helps smooth those transitions.  A+

Fantastic music and cigar ride for me.  Will repeat again soon.

 

[rcarlson]

Great albums, great review.  Look forward to your thoughts on the HDM DC when you are finally able to lay your hands on some.  

[inter4alia]

Great review. I often find myself listening to Floyd when I smoke too, so I'm right there with you. 

[Chibearsv]

13 minutes ago, rcarlson said:

Great albums, great review.  Look forward to your thoughts on the HDM DC when you are finally able to lay your hands on some.  

I just got a box in this week.  I'll let 'em rest a while and post when I give them a go.  Thanks, I certainly had a happy turn of events in finding the Escogidos.

[rcarlson]

20 minutes ago, Chibearsv said:

I just got a box in this week.  I'll let 'em rest a while and post when I give them a go.  Thanks, I certainly had a happy turn of events in finding the Escogidos.

Well, now I have took for some Escogidos.  Haven't had one, but your review tells me I'm missing out.  

[Islandboy]

Pink Floyd and an Escogido - pretty close to perfection there, both absolutely brilliant. I scored 2 boxes from the initial release, which have sadly proven to be notoriously tight rolls. Time is helping though, and the last one I had was mind-blowingly delicious - far more flavorful and interesting than my HDC’s. I’m definitely stocking up on the more recent offerings.

[Shrimpchips]

Awesome review and accompanying sound track.  Definitely curious to try the Escogidos, as the consensus seems to be like what @Islandboy says, that it’s an HDC taken to the next level. I’ve got an HDC from @Charley resting, so I guess I’ll give that a whirl first.

[karp]

Nice review and music selection - I want to try both the DC and the Escogido since I'm a big fan of Hoyo series. Thanks for the insight!