Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.1 vs Juan Lopez Seleccion No.1

[David8406]

I’ve never tried either of these. My taste profile leans more towards Punch, RASS, H.Upmann #2, Bolivar BBF. I have enjoyed the HdM Epicure No.2 and JUan Lopez Seleccion No.2 on occasion, but not as consistently as I’d like to, but I do enjoy them. I feel the need to add one of these Coronas Gordas to my stable. I have H.Upmann Mag46 but they need a few more years on them...too big for me right now.

Opinions on a choice?

[Ford2112]

Such different animals! I lean JL 1 as I think the HDM in the 1 lacks an identity that sets it apart from some of the other excellent vitolas Hoyo has to offer. Juan Lopez makes just a couple vitolas but they are a favorite among myself and many other member here. Of course that's all subjective. One man's meat...

[Li Bai]

I was never lucky with the HDM so I'd go with the JL1, no contest. Don't forget to try the Punch Punch too but if I had to pick only one, it would be the JL, plus it's cheaper 👍

[JohnS]

The Juan Lopez Seleccion No.1 has a more well-known reputation amongst cigar enthusiasts, but that's because it has been much more widely available than the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.1. The demand for Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2s has seen to that.

[griller]

6 hours ago, Ford2112 said:

Such different animals! I lean JL 1 as I think the HDM in the 1 lacks an identity that sets it apart from some of the other excellent vitolas Hoyo has to offer. Juan Lopez makes just a couple vitolas but they are a favorite among myself and many other member here. Of course that's all subjective. One man's meat...

Can't say it any better. LOVE the JL1!

[Montezüma]

HDM numero uno anyday. Not a fan of JLs.

[Chibearsv]

Based on your taste profile, JL1 for sure. I find the JL 1 to have more umami and a touch of fruit than the Epi 1 which seems to jive with your preferred cigars. Epi 1 is a fine cigar but is a bit lighter in flavors. My preference, I wish I had stacks of both.

[cigaraholic]

I like to smoke Hoyo in the morning and early afternoon, JL I smoke cocktail hour to after hours. Of course I’ll probably pick a couple more sticks to go in between them. 

[MrBirdman]

Totally different cigars. If you’re willing to age them, the JL1 will pay far greater returns than the Epi will. 

[Çnote]

Double down a box of each.

[carsncigarsuk]

JL1 for me, but I find Hoyos too mild for my palette. I think smoking lots of NCs has hardened my palette, when you smoke as many Padron and my Fathers as I do a Hoyo feels like warm air. The Juan Lopez has enough of that mouth warming spice to it that still hits. 

I prefer the JL2 but the JL1 is a great cigar. 

 

 

[Capn_Jackson]

As @Ford2112 said, completely different animals. Both *can be* fantastic. Both can be good young, but also benefit from some downtime. I strangely prefer the Epi 1 very young, and I can’t really put my finger on why. It’s got a certain “something” that I appreciate in the first few years. The JL1, though, has legs for years and years. Both do, but I think the Lopez has more upside in the very long run. It is one of my top 5 CC’s, and so is the JL2 for that matter. Very good young, but an absolute treat at 8-10 years. 

[sactochris]

I prefer the Juan Lopez, but there's certainly nothing wrong with the Hoyo.