Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona

[mm12]

In my view, a major theme in the overall production in 2008 is that it has been the year of the comeback. Quite a few formerly great vitolas that had lost their way in the previous 5-10 years seem to be returning to preeminence. In recent years, I've seen the Hoyo DC get consistently bashed for being bland, so I decided to see what the 08 production had to offer.

Pre-light: Wrapper is a rich chocolaty brown, toothy, and with a slight oily sheen. There are a few prominent veins, but overall, the wrapper looks pretty good. Great barnyard aroma. Construction appears to be perfect. Consistently firm. This is a very heavy cigar, and seems to be rolled fairly tight. The draw is a little bit on the firm the side, but a lot more manageable than I expected given the feel of the cigar. Draw at cold had a hay-like flavor.

1/3: The open was a lot stronger than I expected. Medium/full in body with strong core flavors of leather and wood. There is some pepper through the nose, but not much on the palate. As I got into the first third, the body of the cigar began to pull back some and ended up just under medium. It kept the leather and wood core, and showed some very distinctive notes of vanilla. As I neared the end of the first third, some coffee and cream flavors began to come through.

2/3: The vanilla started to fade a bit as I got into the second third, and some sweet Hickory smoke flavors started to develop over the leather/wood core. As I progressed through the second third, the cigar started picking up in body and strength, and the vanilla notes returned. As I neared the end of the second third, the core flavors changed from wood and leather to coffee and cream. A bit of pepper started coming through on the palate, and the smoke was getting increasingly rich and creamy.

3/3: The cigar is solidly medium bodied now, and the smoke is very thick and rich. Loads of sweet cream with a little bit of pepper and nutmeg spice. The flavor profile reminded me a lot of Hoyo Regalos 2007 E.L. Very rich and creamy. As I approach the end, pepper and nutmeg spices begin to take over, and the flavors get a little gamey. There's a little bit of harshness/bitterness, but only in the last 3/4 inch or so. Not bad for a year old double corona.

Overall I'd give it a 91. The complexity was just amazing. I started off very exited at the open, but prepared myself to be disappointed as the body pulled back to under medium and the flavors began to fade, but as I got into the second third and the complexity started to show, and the layers of flavors started to build, I knew this was going to be a solid cigar. I know the Hoyo DC is probably not on a lot of people's radar given it's recent reputation, but I definitely recommend giving the 08's a shot.

[mbrody]

Nice review! That's more promising news for the 08's!

[PointSource]

great review!!!!!!!

i just smoked a HDM DC from 99 that was wicked. the 'woodiest' cigar i've ever tasted....