Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.1 TMO OCT 06

[Colt45]

Construction: Weight felt perfect for the size. Excellent foot bunch with a crater of a divot under the cap.

A little more spring than I normally like which I feel shows these need more time to acclimate.

Wrapper: Mottled colorado with an even coating of oil. Smooth to the touch with a minimum

of veining.

Pre light aroma / draw: Aroma of sweet barn yard. Very nice draw with a light taste of sweet tobacco.

Draw / burn: Excellent draw, straight burn throughout, great smoke volume.

Taste - 1st third: Initial flavors of charred wood and spiced cream with a smooth delivery. As it

settles in, it becomes a bit more edgy - showing some herbal notes and a slight astringency on

the finish.

Progressively shows more cream and begins to exhibit hints of almond, with the finish remaining

slightly herbal. Medium in body with a coating, albeit somewhat astringent, mouth feel.

Mid third: Well into the mid third the overall profile is a core of sweet tobacco, a mid palate of

amaretto cream, and a somewhat herbal finish. Taking a draw and focusing on the aftertaste has the

nice amaretto cream quality cut with a green edge. This green / herbal component has been rather

off-putting, throwing off the balance, making for disharmony.

Final third: Into the final third, the trend continues, with the sharpness becoming more pronounced.

The green qualities continue to overtake the underlying flavor, and while there is still some interplay

of almond with herbal, the finish has become almost tongue numbingly sharp, and I set it down.

Score: 87 - which I feel will rise in the future.

Comments: Though not overly complex at this time, my feeling is that once this box has had

more time to settle, and then further mature, that these have all the ingredients and underlying

flavor to become quite nice. For now, this box is on lock down.

[Claudius]

This has got to be the worst of the "premium" habanos. Herbal, papery, some very unpleasant pepper and nicotine strength... horrible. Can it get better? Not sure. On the other hand, I doubt it could get worse. To be avoided by all means.

[asc]

» the finish has become almost tongue numbingly

» sharp, and I set it down.

I hate it when that happens.

Nice review though!

[habanohal]

One of the worst Habanos IMO. Like the flavor wants to shine through, But only stays muted and gives nothing of substance.

[shrink]

» One of the worst Habanos IMO. Like the flavor wants to shine through, But

» only stays muted and gives nothing of substance.

You guys kill me! I still have more than half a cab of '04 Epicure No. 1's that are among the most full-bodied and flavorful cigars in my humi. They are probably what Partagas would produce if they blended Hoyos. A truly great cigar, and still improving over time. The '05s weren't bad either.

[El Presidente]

Don't listen to them Colt

I have had some excellent Epi 1 but like the Epi 2 late 2006 has brought forward a different animal. Fuller, richer, sweeter.

I think these have some real poential for mid term ageing. The Epi 2's I have dry boxed for a few weeks have been intense.

[tigger]

Nice review Colt!

While I'm not a huge fan of the Hoyo marca in general, there are, in my opinion, far worse "premium Habanos" out there than the Epicure No. 1.

[jdbrown]

Colt,

You have inspired me to grab a box!

[anacostiakat]

» Don't listen to them Colt

»

» I have had some excellent Epi 1 but like the Epi 2 late 2006 has brought

» forward a different animal. Fuller, richer, sweeter.

»

» I think these have some real poential for mid term ageing. The Epi 2's I

» have dry boxed for a few weeks have been intense.

Well that figures. I have been of a mind that the Epi #2s just did not do it for me and have stayed away from them.

True to form all of the ones I have had were '05s.

[Colt45]

I always appreciate the feedback given to all the reviews here - good, bad, or indifferent.

In this case, as previously stated, I feel this box just needs a little more time to integrate

and smooth out the rough edges.

I'm looking forward to trying another in six months or so.

[asc]

» Well that figures. I have been of a mind that the Epi #2s just did not do

» it for me and have stayed away from them.

»

» True to form all of the ones I have had were '05s.

*bump*

Has anyone had any experiences with epicure#2's of recent? Beautiful sale...inquiring minds.

[jdbrown]

My 06 and 07 Epi 2 are excellent.

[android]

My HDM Epicure #2 OCT 06 r very good!