Midweek Shootout Poll: El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme Vs Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.1

[MoeFOH]

Midweek Shootout Poll - where we randomly pit two Cuban sticks against one another to see which comes out on top. 

Partagas 898 has a lead over the Monte Especial in the current poll - see below. 

The match-up this week sees the El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme Vs Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.1 
 
If you've had both - great. If you've had one and not the other or have had neither, give us your answer and discussion based on your experience there and/or the allure/desire/interest in these combatants. 

Read the scenario, vote in the poll, discuss below if you wish 

 

 

[DennyPaul]

Choix Supreme by a mile for me. The best Epi 1 I've had had lots of cream and wood and that's about it. The best Choix Supreme had bursts of honey, spice, leather, absolutely fantastic. One of my favorites.

[Tunkat92]

I didn’t even have to think about that one, Choix all day for me. I've had some very good Epi 1s but my money lands on the Choix Supreme.

[El Presidente]

Consistency lays with the Choix. Still, you get the right Epicure 1 and even young, it can be a 93. Next of course could be an 87. Great Epi 1 have that ability to deliver cream/coffee/honey at a high level. I still reach for them fairly regularly. 

[TacoSauce]

The Epi. No.1 is a bit too dry and woody throughout. Rare to get sweetness.

The Choix, on the other hand, starts out tasting like the driest wood, from the oldest shipwreck, bleached and baked for centuries by the equatorial sun. But then it blossoms into an unpredictable medley of honey, spice, grass, salt, & twang.

The Choix wins hands down.

[Chibearsv]

I’m an Epi 1 fan, and to be fair, I haven’t tried a lot of ERdM Choix Supreme. Epi 1 with a few years on them can be glorious cigars. 

[joeypots]

Epi 1. I've had many more of them than the Choix and I like the Vitola.

[Lucas Buck]

Can’t vote on this one as I don’t believe I’ve ever smoked an Epi 1. I do love Choix Supreme though. The ERDM profile is right up my alley. I used to smoke lots of ERDM as they had so many wonderful thin ring vitolas. Shame they’re all gone, save the Demi Tasse. 

[riderpride]

Higher floor on the Epi 1 but the ceilings are close enough. Had 2 straight boxes of Choix Supreme that just tasted like rose petals drizzled with honey - you'd think that'd be alright, but not in this case. Epi can be those 2 with cream and wood, but well balanced. A bad one may taste a little too much like bean sprouts.

Disclaimer - it's been ~8 years since I've revisited the Choix Supreme and I'm in no rush to do so.

Cheers!

[westg]

Gee...you make for a tough call. Epi 1 for the long hall. They have always been good to me and age so well. Choix Supreme are probably the most all over the place Cuban cigar for me over the last 20 years. 2022 had some particularly good boxes from my experience.  Epi 1 pushes them aside however.  

[habanohal]

HDM #1 is a muted Epi#2...it's like the flavor wants to be there but isn't.

[Ford2112]

Never had an Choix and Epi 1 is bland to me.

[English_Staffy]

A top notch Epi 1 will bring the house down (in a good way).