Cigar Info
General Cigar Company will debut Hoyo de Monterrey Edición de Cumpleaños 150, the first and only cigar to feature a proprietary Habano Shade wrapper tobacco, the first ever grown in Esteli.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
Hoyo de Monterrey Edición de Cumpleaños 150 is a 6” x 54 box-pressed offering handcrafted in Honduras. The blend features a classic Ecuadoran binder and a spicy combination of Nicaraguan filler leaves representing the best of the country’s tobacco growing regions. The cigar is a study in contrasts, with a hearty, well-oiled leaf that burns to a strong, yet sweet smoke for an unparalleled taste experience.
To celebrate the heritage brand’s 150th anniversary, General Cigar is releasing just 4,000 boxes of this commemorative cigar. In a nod to the future of the brand, the cigars will be housed in a sleek, 15-count box bearing a modern interpretation of the Hoyo de Monterrey logo.
The suggested retail price per cigar is $7.99, with a box price of $119.85. Hoyo de Monterrey Edición de Cumpleaños 150 became available at retail beginning on April 1, 2015.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: STG Danli
Blender: Jhonys Diaz and General Cigar Blending Team
Number of reviewers: 4 —– Jeff (ExpendableYouth) Stefan (Stefan) Craig (WyldKnyght) Wes (SosaCub4Life)
Price: $7.99
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: April 2015
Contributed by: General Cigar
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 89
“This is a reddish-brown box pressed cigar. It has a couple of large veins running down the length of the stick, and a nicely applied triple cap at the top.” -Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
Aroma: 91
“The wrapper on this cigar smelled sweet, the foot had a mild tobacco scent and the dry puff tasted like grass.” -Craig (WyldKnyght)
First Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The first-third hits you with an immediate blast of pepper that coats your entire mouth. As I continue into the first-third I begin to pickup earth, mineral, and woodiness.” -Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“This cigar has started out great. It has a very nice welcoming spice to it. Peppery but not over powering. Super thick and creamy smoke. So far this is right up my alley.” -Wes (SosaCub4Life)
Second Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The beginning of the second third reintroduced the woodsy notes in tandem with the dark tobacco flavor bordering on cocoa beans. Then, past the midpoint, the profile changes to one driven by even darker tobacco notes bordering on a cocoa nibs flavor.” -Stefan (Stefan)
“The second third continued to have slight unevenness to the burn, but no touch up needed. The flavor of pepper picked up a bit more and the hint of wood continued from the first third.” -“The second third continued to have slight unevenness to the burn, but no touch up needed. The flavor of pepper picked up a bit more and the hint of wood continued from the first third.” -Craig (WyldKnyght)
Final Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“During the final 3rd, the burn was still uneven, was thinking of touching it up, but it ended up straightening itself out. The flavors really came together and mellowed out during the final 3rd.” -Craig (WyldKnyght)
“The final third has been much of the same. I would say the spice is more of a chili spice than pepper during this 3rd. The cigar is still very thick and creamy. Very good finish to the smoke.” -Wes (SosaCub4Life)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 93
“I have no complaints about the draw, it was nearly perfect.” -Craig (WyldKnyght)
Burn: 92
“Nice tight burn lines, and no touchups needed. couldn’t ask for more.” -Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
Construction: 90
“This cigar was firm with a little give when squeezed. The ash was dark grey and flaky and the smoke was creamy, thick and smooth.” -Craig (WyldKnyght)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Overall Experience: 91
“A nice overall smoke. It didn’t blow my socks off, but was a pretty solid experience overall. I would pick up a fiver of these if the price was right.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“An interesting stogie featuring an increase in strength with each new third. It reminded me a bit of the 262 Revere Toro, with less focused flavors.” –Stefan (Stefan)
“I did not have high hopes for this cigar after the first little bit. There was a harshness to the flavor and the burn was a little off. Then it all changed and as this cigar went along the flavor got better, the harshness disappeared, the flavors of pepper and wood melded together and with the thick creamy smoke, this cigar became an excellent experience.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
“Overall this was a great cigar. Very good miz of spices from pepper to chili. The cigar was thick and creamy all throughout and was just a wonderful smoke.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 99
|
Reviewer
|
Appearance
|
Aroma
|
1/3
|
2/3
|
3/3
|
Draw
|
Burn
|
Constr.
|
Overall
Experience |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff | ExpendableYouth) | 90 | 90 | 87 | 88 | 85 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 90 |
| Stefan | Stefan) | 88 | 85 | 87 | 90 | 88 | 88 | 95 | 90 | 88 |
| Craig | WyldKnyght) | 90 | 90 | 87 | 90 | 92 | 97 | 90 | 90 | 92 |
| Wes | SosaCub4Life) | 95 | 92 | 97 | 95 | 92 | 97 | 95 | 97 | 95 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.