Hoyo de Rio Seco MGL SEP 21 (S&FBRW)

[jakebarnes]

I honestly don't "get" ring gauges above 52. Unless it is a belicoso-type.  However, the point is to have a fat bastard this week, so here I am. 

I chose the Rio Seco because I've really enjoyed the the flavor profile before but struggled with the gauge itself.  Spoiler: not much has changed. 

1st third: sweet cedar and cream out of the gate. The cigar is burning beautifully but to my dismay is not providing a lot of smoke output. Really working to draw. What I do get has a nice twang to it and coats the mouth, leaving a beautiful lingering sweet cream flavor. Also, it's now hailing outside. 

2nd third: Still struggling with the draw. It's starting to move in to a medium/medium strong flavor profile now. The cream is ceding a bit to burnt toast and more of the cedar. By the end I feel like I am picking up balsa wood almost? Odd flavor, but not undesirable--especially with the creamy undertones. 

Final third: Hey! There's the smoke output on the draw. This has really moved into a fuller bodied cigar at this point. It feels like the flavors of the first two thirds but much more intense. The sweet creaminess and cedar are really forward and I'm quite enjoying the ride. Big bodied intensity and with a vegetal finish. 

Final thoughts: What a fun cigar. The poor draw and hail storm notwithstanding, this was still a pretty enjoyable smoke. I just wish this flavor profile lived in a smaller vitola...like a corona gorda or even a robustos. The ring gauge is such a hangup for me. 88/100. 91-92  if the draw had been good. 

 

[winelover]

Great review. I agree it is a bit of a monster in size. I had one recently in London where it really got going from 2nd third onwards ending up being absolutley nubbed. A lovely smoke causing me to pick up a ten box from Rob...

[jakebarnes]

4 hours ago, graham_uk said:

Great review. I agree it is a bit of a monster in size. I had one recently in London where it really got going from 2nd third onwards ending up being absolutley nubbed. A lovely smoke causing me to pick up a ten box from Rob...

Yep. This one got nubbed. I do get these in 10ers from Rob, including this one. But I do feel like I the monster rg detracts from it. 

[winelover]

What's your go to Hoyo?  I've been smoking Cubans off and on for many years and increasingly I am drawn towards Hoyo.  In the last few years I have had quite a few 20 year old Churchills (pre-pandemic - my local cigar store had tons of these, available to smoke in singles) which were sublime (wish I had bought some!) and recently I had a recent production DC which was fascinating but by final third was at the upper end of full bodied (can you believe!) yet first third was light to medium at strongest!).  I do like the Petit Robustos but find that they have an interesting spell and can go through dull patches.  I have never really got the Epi2 or Epi1 and the San Juan has not been consistent for me.  Anyway enough rambling on!

[MossybackR]

13 hours ago, jakebarnes said:

Also, it's now hailing outside. 

Edge of my seat — Chicago?? Great review of an HdM that I have not tried but that I also have a box of 10 waiting in the queue. The “du Depute’”, Petite Robusto, and Epi 1 and 2 have been my favorite flavor profiles during the last year or two. They each have their own unique flavor profiles and their is a common richness of flavors that I cannot put in words.

 

13 hours ago, jakebarnes said:

I just wish this flavor profile lived in a smaller vitola...like a corona gorda or even a robustos.

A lot of folks like the Epi No. 2 (and I do as well), but I enjoy the No. 1 even more. They both have that HdM overall richness of flavor and each has it individual profile. I’ll have to pair them to refresh my palate why I preferred the No. 1 😁

[jakebarnes]

14 hours ago, graham_uk said:

What's your go to Hoyo?  

I don't smoke hoyos frequently, but when I do it's the Epicure Especial, Epi 2, or the Rio Seco. I think the EE is starting to win me over as the favorite of the marca. 

[jakebarnes]

13 hours ago, MossybackR said:

Edge of my seat — Chicago?? Great review of an HdM that I have not tried but that I also have a box of 10 waiting in the queue. The “du Depute’”, Petite Robusto, and Epi 1 and 2 have been my favorite flavor profiles during the last year or two. They each have their own unique flavor profiles and their is a common richness of flavors that I cannot put in words.

 

A lot of folks like the Epi No. 2 (and I do as well), but I enjoy the No. 1 even more. They both have that HdM overall richness of flavor and each has it individual profile. I’ll have to pair them to refresh my palate why I preferred the No. 1 😁

Yep, I'm in Chicago. Hoyo is really scratching an itch for me lately. I enjoy the epi 2, but find myself reaching for an epicure espcial when I can. The Rio Seco is a close second though--for when I feel like the ring gauge suits me.

[El Presidente]

Rio Seco....the most unique flavour profile of all the Hoyo. 

Love these gingerbread coffee snaps.....don't like the size....but bloody love the flavour 

[jakebarnes]

6 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Rio Seco....the most unique flavour profile of all the Hoyo. 

Love these gingerbread coffee snaps.....don't like the size....but bloody love the flavour 

I wish I had found more of that gingerbread coffee part when I had this one--really came out more of a bready toast with heavy cream. Fighting the draw really was to the detriment of this cigar--but hot damn are these a creamy smoke that coats the mouth. Hoping for a little more luck the next go 'round. 

[BeerPimp]

The Rio Seco was one of the first big ring gauge CC besides Monte #2.   I really like the flavor profile.   I have nothing against the bigger ring gauge cigars like many do.

[CigarZen]

I am a fan of the flavor profile.  Great blend!!

[Chibearsv]

On 7/24/2022 at 8:05 AM, jakebarnes said:

Yep, I'm in Chicago. Hoyo is really scratching an itch for me lately. I enjoy the epi 2, but find myself reaching for an epicure espcial when I can. The Rio Seco is a close second though--for when I feel like the ring gauge suits me.

Nice review.  For me, when the weather is hot, Hoyo works the best.  The cream and twang works magic in the heat.  I had an older San Juan on Sunday that was magical.