Beneath the Band: Hoyo de Monterrrey Epicure Especial

[El Presidente]

This series seeks to explore whether a particular cigar is humidor worthy.

Cost these days is an issue for many so let's see if we can highlight some absolute standouts.  This should particularly assist those new to the cigar world.  

To be fair, most of the cigars we have featured to date have scored exceptionally well. Surprisingly well! 

Scoring is: 1-3 (Poor)   4-6 (Average to good)   7-10  (very good to excellent)  Use the Poll. 

You are more than free to comment away 

Today: Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial  50 × 141 mm (5½″)

2008 general production release and was a hit internationally with it's mild to medium bodied profile. Opens with cedar and light spice but settles quickly into that creamy Hoyo profile with a pecan, cocoa powder and mezzo espresso notes. I like how it builds its body progression. At it's best it is a complex and satisfying cigar. I have found some inconsistency in blend with more than a few over the years missing that rich complexity and delivering a more paperbark/toasted tobacco profile. The biggest challenge to Epicure Especial was the release of the bigger gauged San Juan and Rio Seco. Both of these are exceptional blends and I would rate them a significant cut above and not too many dollars more. The Epicure Especial is a very good cigar for the right time. It has some tough competition however within its own house. 

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial: Let us know your thoughts! 

 

[riderpride]

I love it and it's always in my humidor, but to your point, it's got to battle some heavyweights in the house of Hoyo.

Does it taste great? Yes

Does it have a defining profile? Yes, but the SJ and RS destroy it in terms of uniqueness.

If you absolutely hate anything over 50rg, then this is your stick...or maybe the Epi 2.

Cheers!

[Mike Mecklenburg]

At first I did not care for my (LGB April 2020) box, but after 4/5 years I appreciated them very much.  So thumbs up on them.  

[GaryK 54]

The HdM Epi 2 was my gateway cigar decades ago that brought me into the world of Cuban cigars. I still love a well-aged Epi 2. San Juan and Rio Seco (outside of "not my RG"), I also like. The Epicure Especial just never quite did it for me. Way too much inconsistency... when it's off, it's really off.

[Lucas Buck]

Only smoked a very few of these and never bought a box so I’ll abstain from the poll. I find them quite unique in the Hoyo line but in similar vitolas the Epi 1 & 2 have my full appreciation and attention as I love them both. 

[Çnote]

On 5/21/2026 at 6:51 PM, El Presidente said:

has some tough competition however within its own house.

The lynchpin. I've had a few great ones, but the pre-Armageddon price and availability never made sense compared to Rio, Epi 1 & 2 etc, as stated by others. If it's sitting there today I'd buy it though, the horizon looks bleak indeed. It's only a 10ct and the odd shaped box just might fit in the nook that nothing else does. I'll take one Di. 😆 😂 😆