Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1 Aluminum Tubo REM MAR 20. FSCRC


Lamboinee

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Cigar:             Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1 Aluminum Tube

Wrapper:       Cuba

Binder:           Cuba

Filler:             Cuba

Box Date:       REM MAR 20

Synopsis: Predictable start leads to combustion anomaly.  Cigar smoked reasonably well with flavors typical of this smoke once the anomaly was surgically removed.

Review: I was drawn to this cigar early in my CC journey.  The Epi 1 was available, but not too available.  It was pricier, but not too pricey, and it would be a welcome reprieve from the numerous marevas I had been smoking.  This cigar looks a little fancy too, and it had enough good reviews to justify a blind buy.   Overall, I have enjoyed the vast majority of Epi 1’s and other HDM offerings that I have tried.  This one was no exception. That is, once I got past the black spot of death that impacted approximately the first 1-1.5” of the cigar.

1st Third.  The start was what I would call typical.  A quick tinge of white pepper upon ignition that quickly subsided as the cigar settled into the burn.  Shortly after the first 2-3 puffs I noticed two concerning developments in the cigar: 1) the smoke output and combustion became labored; and, 2) two dark "burn" marks developed on opposite sides of the cigar towards the foot and just below the burn line . (See pics below).  The smoke output and draw were bad enough that I knew this was a  nub-me-not situation.  But the "burn" marks were intriguing as they occurred on exact opposite sides from one another.

Specifically, the burn marks were comparable to the “sooty-ness” or “darkening” of the wrapper that occurs when a lighter contacts/burns the exterior of the wrapper leaf accidentally (not me personally, but a guy I know.).  But these burn marks seemed to too remote from anything that was actually on fire.  I can assure you that I did not over-burn the wrapper with my lighter at any point.

This cigar was headed to the morgue, not the hospital.  But, a failed smoke is an opportunity to investigate the innards of a cigar, and I wanted to see what was under the odd burn marks.  I clipped off a 1/3”- 1/2” portion of the cigar removing the burning foot and a section of unignited tobacco and revealing a black eye of Mordor.   (See pics below).  I am sure it was placed inside this cigar by one of my enemies. 

2nd & 3rd Third.  Once the troubled bit of cigar was removed, I relit the cigar with a butane lighter and carried on.  Quickly, this cigar returned to a more familiar course. (See pics below). Pops of leather were dispersed amongst creamy draws finished with woody undertones.  Slight pepper harshness appeared on one or two occasions, but it never turned afoul on me.  The cigar’s tendency was more “one-note” than overwhelming complexity. But it was interesting enough to inspire hopes of future complexity with aging.  I laid the cigar down after a laborious smoke just as Pussy Galore took to the screen in 007 Goldfinger.  Investigations into the identity of the cigar saboteur are on-going.

Completely Subjective Score: 1/10  Due to combustion issue that would have rendered the cigar unsmokable.

Adjusted Score: 8.1/10 Trying to remove consideration of the ruined portion of the cigar.

 

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(Close-up of odd burn mark on first side of cigar)


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(close-up of odd burn mark on side 2 of cigar)

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(Portion of cigar foot removed with cutter from side and new "foot" of remaining cigar)

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(non-burning edge of foot that was removed from rear and new "foot" of remaining cigar)

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(closeup of burning edge of foot that was removed)

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(newly relit cigar)

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(end of smoke, it was a labor of mostly love).

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