Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especiale LE 2004 Pics and review

[culebra]

I am drooling :-P

Great review guys. Nice to see you are roughing it with 82 Lafite ;-)

Rob, when are these available for the rest of us?

[El Presidente]

Top for those who have not seen.

[Ken Gargett]

Sept 05. In Portugal in the cork forests resorts. Seriously good cigar. Coffee bean notes, touch of herbals, rich and dense smoke. Possibly a fraction of a green note but still very youthful. Some good choc/spice flavours. Coffee richness prevalent. Burn was slow and consistent. Perhaps some way to go to get to the Hoyo LE Pyramide stage but on their way. 92.

[Ken Gargett]

Found this as exciting as ever. Know that there has been a lot on the forum about LE’s lately and I have not had time to read it yet, I am usually a supporter in general, and these have always impressed. This was quite big, firm, rich, woody with a mix of sensational choc, dark coffee and new leather flavours. Still very young and I am in no rush to get through these. I am still not convinced they match the Hoyo LE Pyramides ‘03 but they are lovely smokes. Burn not perfect and this is a problem that does seem to afflict these. 91.

[Ken Gargett]

(from the box on the shelf at the Lisador)

While it was hugely frustrating seeing endless boxes of these lined up while we were in Havana and being unable to secure any (despite the streets of the Capital being full of some of the most serious cigar fans on the planet, Cuba had not been able to decide on a price so none of us could get our hands on them), it was exciting to see how good they looked. This is the last LE for 2004 and has some serious competition (think Cohiba Sublimes) but it is a cracker. Dark coffee colour with the glowing double bands, Corona Gorda sized and with a strong chocolate and spice aroma even before they are lit. These choc/spice notes continue throughout and are joined by a coffee richness. Nicely balanced and with a firm but appropriate draw. Burn is slow and consistent. Key to these are the fabulous flavours that just ooze out. Still very young but a terrific smoke nonetheless. They should insure many great moments over the next decade.

Rob suggested that they had a great deal in common with the Hoyo LE Pyramides 2003 and he is spot on. Anyone fortunate to have tried these knows how good they are and these are worthy successors. And as Rob can confirm, thanks to some very generous friends, it was just perfect with an ‘82 Lafite in immaculate condition. The things one has to do...

In two to three years, expect this to rate even higher but for now, a very solid 93.

Rob: The aroma was as per the 2003 Hoyo Pirimide LE. The flavour almost identical. Medium bodied with the sweetness of an aged Epicure No 1 and the Espresso/cream of a Montecristo Number 2.

Put your hands on as many as you can afford. This will be as sought after in 2007 as the DHM LE Pirimides are today. 91