HDM Epicure No. 1

[Havana Joe]

Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure No 1

Box Code: MKO Jun 03

Date of Review: May 13, 2006

This cigar had a light brown appearance; with the wrapper being a bit bumpy but not to many veins. The construction was firm with no soft spots or knots and it had a perfect triple cap. As for the pre-light aroma, it was very faint; nothing that stood out. Throughout the smoke the ash was light gray and on the flaky side. The aroma while smoking was very brief and subtle at best. Throughout the cigar, there was very little smoke, which was kind of a draw back for me since I like a cigar with a little more smoke to it.

Immediately after lighting up the smoke, I was hit with a spicy kick and notes of black pepper. Luckily for me, the “Cuban Twang” hit me almost immediately after lighting up. The first 1/3 of the smoke had a complex earthy flavor with a bit of a leathery taste to it. After the first ash, I needed to hit it with the torch so that the burn would remain even.

The 2/3 of the smoke is when I started picking up a nutty flavor while the spice flavor started to mellow out a bit. I also tasted a dough flavor, which was a nice surprise. As I continued to smoke the spice combined with black pepper began to get stronger again.

The final third of the smoke stayed consistent, the taste of the smoke did not “turn on me”. Then again, it was a Corona Gorda and it’s the longer smokes that have more of a frequency to turn on you. Towards the end of the smoke I started to pick up a cinnamon flavor, which for me was the highlight of the smoke.

Overall, the smoke had a perfect draw. I felt that for my tastes, this smoke was on the medium side, leaning more towards the full side as far as the strength goes. It was a very enjoyable cigar, even with the moderate maintenance of keeping the burn even. I believe I had to hit it with my torch 4 times, which is a little too much maintenance for me. This cigar would have rated higher if there was more flavor diversity, but nonetheless it was an excellent cigar.

On a scale from 1-10, one being horrible and 10 being an instant classic, I give this smoke a 6.5

-Havana Joe

[El Presidente]

Thanks for the review HJ !

One of my favourite Corona Gorda's but one of those cigars which needs 5 years to turn from a catterpillar to a butterfly. 5 years brings on a kaleidescope of flavour which is not easily matched.

[habanohal]

I prefer the Epicure #2. Alot more flavorful to me. I still have almost a full cab of the #1s, for I canttaste them really if they are not the 1st cigar of the day. So , right now they have 3 years on them, and I dont see a problem letting them sit for another few, to blossom into a marvel.

[Colt45]

Thanks for the review! In my minimal experience with this cigar, I found

it to be very spicy, but too young to sort out the true

flavor, and appreciate.

P.S. How was your trip?

[shrink]

Excellent review, Joe! The Epi 1 is a cigar that can be enjoyed young, when it is peppery and spicy, or aged for a rainbow of flavors. My early '02 cab is patiently awaiting its transformation from chrysalis to butterfly! Looking forward to the yum to come. :-)