Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure No 2 ROA DIC 06

[smokum]

I have a cab from AOR/MAY06 and they are right on the money with your review too Rob.

[shortsqueeze]

Rob,

I couldn't agree more. I have always equated the Epi 2 to a spicy cigar. After 2002 that peppery character made way for a creamy smooth cigar I was not familiar with. I was thrilled to smoke 2006 versions as of late to find that peppery character back in action. Seems alot has changed in 2006 for the better.

Here's a post I made on another board regarding BGM's but has a broader relevance including the Epi 2 and others:

Angelo and Nino, I agree whole heartedly this most recent batch of “new” BGM’s lack the bold strength and character the Wolter’s BGM’s have. I feel the Wolter’s cigars will develop into wonderful cigars that far exceed the new BGM’s at the 10 year mark, at which time the new BGM’s may already have expired. But I also agree with Gino in that we may all be wrong and in 10 years time the new BGM’s will turn into extraordinary cigars, at which time we will know it’s a total craps shoot as to what cigars will age better than others. For this reason I too will reserve at least one box for 5+ years aging. I will also smoke through more quickly over the next five years the new BGM’s but will immediately slow down if I come to find they increase in strength or change in some other way which leads me to believe we are incorrect in are initial impressions of a short life span. If these new BGM’s go sick, I will be forced to lay them down and then all bets are off as well!

Now, there will be critics who say this is all hogwash. They will say among other things the new BGM’s are the same exact blend as the Wolter’s BGM’s. WRONG! Just like the master blenders at Moet & Chandon blending their Dom Perignon from vintage to vintage, they may have the blend down cold but they can’t control the grapes from year to year. Just like grapes, tobacco even coming from the same vegas changes from year to year, and while the blenders have done their best to replicate the Wolter’s BGM blend to the new BGM blend they can’t change the tobacco to suit their exact specifications. For this reason the blend can’t possibly be the same!

Further to what Angelo, MRN and others have said, I agree something, or many things have changed in regards to the tobaccos being grown and or processed from the cigar boom (1996) to 2005, with a few exceptions I have found based on my experience with cigars 1996 – 2005 comparing my experiences to what I have read and heard first hand of the same cigars pre-1996 (I have not smoked enough personally to draw direct smoke to smoke comparisons). Perhaps with the exception of super premium cigars (special books, humidors and reserva releases, not Limitadas or Regionals), the blends have changed for the worst, is it economics, lack of materials or is it like Angelo says to suit the tastes of modern smokers seeking milder and more readily approachable cigars without having to wait or “age” them?

Now comes 2006, where Statos has made a point I have been hammering away at. I believe blends have been repaired at least in part with some brands and vitolas, to pre 2002, and perhaps pre 1996 levels. I will cite a few personal experiences:

1. Monte No. 2: 2002 versions were strong and bold in character/flavor. 2003-2005 bland in my opinion. 2006 versions have been as close to 2002 as I have tasted.

2. Epicure No. 2: 2002 versions were spicy and bold in character/flavor, not strong but they made up for it in flavor and character. 2003-2005 creamy and smooth. 2006 versions are spicy again and as close to 2002 as I have tasted.

3. Unicos: 1997 – 2005 were decent at best, medium bodied at best, bland at worst. 2006 versions have been full strength, full bodied, exuding bold character and dominance!

4. Siglo IV: My favorite example and one of my favorite cigars, I know it all too well. Anything I have smoked prior to 2006 has been medium in strength and pleasant, grassy and bean flavors Cohiba all the way but with no “punch” except for one box from 2002 I had. 2006 versions have been absolutely “knock your socks off” cigars. So very strong and bold, incredible flavors and yes, very young and tannic, as they should be at a year and a half old! I believe this will take quite some time to balance out, round their hard edges and become graceful. Everything I have ever learned and know about Habanos tells me these will be incredible, and get better and better each year 5, 10 years from now or more!

I see 2006 as a watershed year, at least in most of the vitolas I have smoked from 2006 boxes. Something has certainly changed for the better in regular production.

[marco polo]

Nice review Rob, I've been wanting to try these:-)

[shrink]

And the hits just keep on comin' !!

Excellent and enticing review, Prez. I don't recall ever enjoying an Epi #2, but then I haven't had any older than '04. I thought that they were bland insipid.

Sounds like another one to try. BTW, the wrapper looks a lot like the wrappers on the Regalos EL. But that couldn't be true....

[anacostiakat]

Interesting review! I have been smoking out of what is left of an '04 cab and like them for an after lunch cigar.

This review does make you want to compare. ;-)

[n2advnture]

wow! that looks like a nice roll!

~Mark

[Guest Warren]

It was a very enjoyable afternoon spent with great cigars and a great bunch of guys.

You must let me bring the wine next time though , I'll see if I can find something nice .

[Colt45]

Thanks for a great review - it does sound like a nice cigar.

[jwm8592]

Thanks for the review Prez. I had been on the edge of buying some, but all the reviews seemed to be off on them. I myself have yet to smoke one. Now i don't want to be the one to twist your arm or anything, but perhaps you could review again in a week or so. It's work right!!:-D

[Jbailey]

Another great review Rob. The new 06's do sound very good. Might have to add these to my list of new ones to try.

[CIGARHead]

Just in case you guys dont know, here is how Rob goes about "reviewing" cigars...

Rob (Laying on the *** lounge chair) : Hey Lise, get up here.

Lisa: Sigh, yes Rob.

Rob (Still on lounger) : What cigars arent moving this month?

Lisa : Looks like Hoyo Epicure 2's, Bolivar Coronas junior and Monte Petites...oh, and those raggity ol cigars you keep for Ken.

Rob (Now popping a bottle of wine @ 10am) : Bring me up one of each and I'll review them. I'm going to hype them up..My work is never done!

Lisa (Looking disgusted) : Dont you think that is a bit dishonest to our loyal customer?

Rob (Out on the porch taking pictures of himself) : No Lisa....Do you want a BONUS THIS YEAR!!??

Lisa (Stomping off) : Im gonna need a drink!

Rob (To himself) : I though she'd never leave. Wow, this Hoyo tastes like pure horse ****! 5/6 Smoke Rings..91/100!

[Guest Warren]

Hey Austin please let us know if you notice a change in flavour with your next batch. Perhaps the faint taste of dog saliva at start up followed by the aroma of arse.:-D

[CIGARHead]

» Hey Austin please let us know if you notice a change in flavour with your

» next batch. Perhaps the faint taste of dog saliva at start up followed by

» the aroma of arse.:-D

The mental picture of Rob taking advantage of poor Cohiba like that really makes me sick...and I wouldnt put it past him either.

[Colt45]

» The mental picture of Rob taking advantage of poor Cohiba like that

» really makes me sick...and I wouldnt put it past him either.

Just think about what poor Smithy had to go through......

[El Presidente]

Nice one Austin...you will keep

1. Lisa is not known to bow to anybody...she rules with an iron fist, a whithering look and a hell of a right hook.

2. I don't drink before 11am.

[CIGARHead]

» Nice one Austin...you will keep

»

» 1. Lisa is not known to bow to anybody...she rules with an iron fist, a

» whithering look and a hell of a right hook.

»

» 2. I don't drink before 11am.

So I got the part where Lisa goes and gets you the cigars wrong. I should have got that one right...but hey, I got you pegged ol faithful leader!

[El Presidente]

Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure No 2 ROA DIC 06

Warren popped in Friday afternoon as did Bill Turner and Arthur Kassos. Normal Friday afternoon on the deck with cigars, wine and a few cold beers. I was enjoying a Punch Super Seleccion No 1, while Bill had a Short Churchill and Warren a Cohiba Siglo 1. All were good cigars. Minismithy on the other hand had settled in with a Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure No 2 and it wasn't until after Bill, Arthur and Warren had left that he piked up and said...."Rob, that HDM was excellent...medium full body, creamy and complex". It certainly didn't sound like any HDM Epi 2 I have had recently but it inspired me to pick one up from the open box to try. I tried another Saturday....and another yesterday...and placed 5 in my Jeeps Otterbox travel humidor.

Nice oiliness to the wrapper. Construction was perfect. Aroma at cold a mix of cream, tobacco and black tea.

Clipped the cap and took a nice long draw. Resistance was spot on and there was a lingering taste of cream and toasted tobacco on the lips. Given the all clear for take off....I gently fired up the foot which required a little more effort than usual but when it finally took off did so with gusto. I noticed the sweet aroma from the billowing white smoke before anything else. The initial draw revealed a medium full body with a rich cream and Irish coffee taste. I can honestly say that I was taken aback at how good the start of this cigar was. I have stayed away from Epicure 2's for perhaps the past 18 months because of the number of examples I have smoked that were papery/cardboard like in flavour profile. This cigar was the antithesis to those experiences. This Epi 2 was a throwback to what I remembered when they were at their best......and I had just barely started.

The cream and rish coffee were seamless. The aroma exemplary. There is a medium/medium full lushness to this cigar which coats the mouth. Slow, meandering, balanced. A little white pepper through the nose but not biting.

Past the first third and there is little change. Just a core or cream and coffee but developing more shortbread...maybe more of a sponge cake type character. Strength has built slightly and now comfortably over medium body. Some cinnamon notes on the edges. this cigar is smoking like a cinnamon Tea cake my mother use to bake when we came home from school. Hell, I haven't thought about that Tea cake in over 25 years.

Nearing the band and the first elements of charcoal are coming into play. Not an unnatractive elelment if it stays at this level. Working well with the sweeter notes of cream and cake. Removed the band now and noticed the cigar heating up so I purged and slowed down which did the trick for another 15 minutes. However before long the fight was being lost and after such an exquisite experience I let it go out.

The best Hoyo Epicure No 2 I have had in years. I recognise that one box of great cigars does not make a renaissance but I have high hopes for the permanent return of a benchmark cigar which should be "great" but which has dabbled in mediocrity for far too long.

91/100 5/6 Smokerings