HDM Epicure No.2 - UBR ABR 19 (OYMWR2)

[ChangBang]

Woke up a bit earlier than usual for my night shift and had time to kill so I smoked a Epi2 this afternoon.  I've tried the Epi1, Ep2, and EE and so far the Epi2 has been my favorite so was looking forward to this smoke as I haven't had time for a cigar since last Thursday.  Had it in my dry box (55% humidity tupperware) for a week so this should be good!  

Gave it a cut and its tight.  It also feels heavy in the hand so I give it a weigh and with a straight cut and some perfecdraw pokes, it's still almost 4g overweight - around 33% over official weight.  Oh well I dig into it more with my draw tool until I get a smokeable draw.  Gave it a light and let's see where it goes.  It is 14:17

1- Opens with a clove and light floral note which are what I'd expect and enjoy.  Goes into some creamy coffee which progresses to a black coffee as I go through the 1/3.  Retro is rough and makes my eyes water if I do too big of a retro.  Ends on a light floral grass/hay note.  Smoke output isn't great and the smoke is wispy with the draw still being pretty tight as I try to massage the cigar.

2 - Starts getting a little bitter so I give it a purge.  The only note I have in this 3rd is woody and bitter so not a great 3rd.  So far this is the worst example of an Epi2 I've had from the 1/4 box I picked up almost a year ago.  Smoke output and draw still poor.

3 - Give it another purge and am greeted with a cream wood note.  Draw is getting worse as the tobacco swells from smoking and with the cigar already being meh...I start digging into the head to see if I can improve the draw.  I end up pulling this out!

Draw and smoke output is greatly improved and is borderline wind tunnel, but I don't mind that.  After I pull out that stem, I get more of the creamy wood and pencil shavings in the final 3rd of the cigar.  

End time: 15:36

Total smoke time: 1 hr 19min - In a better example I would've nubbed it for another 10-15min, but oh well.

Overall I give this a 4/10 - below average due to the issues I had with construction.  I have smoked enough of them to convince me to buy a box, shame this one was a disappointment.  Can't win em all!  

[ChangBang]

5 minutes ago, Lrabold89 said:

Cut them pregame and Leave them bad boys in that 55 box for a couple months and thank me later


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Yep I started to load up that tupperware with cigars!  Need to run through some NCs I bought before I went to predominately CCs.  That stem still would've killed the draw though!  That sucker was thick!

[smbauerllc]

Great review.

I'm a big fan of the entire Epicure line, but the no.2 is my favorite also.

Shame you got a bad on, as they are so good.

Really a serious bummer to be expecting a great smoke, only to be disappointed.

That can honestly ruin part of my day, especially if its my morning Cigar.

Always make sure to redeem things by making sure that I smoke something particularly good for the next smoke.

Honestly can't recall ever having an issue with an Epicure personally.

All have been consistently great smokes in every regard

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