Earlier this year, General Cigar announced a new line for the Hoyo de Monterrey brand: Epicure Selección. Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Selección comes in three sizes and is an homage to Honduras, the country that has been producing Hoyo cigars for 50 years. The design of the bands, boxes, and cigar itself showcase the brilliant tradition of Honduran cigars and Honduran tobacco that began in the 1950s when the Villazon Cigar Factory was built.
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.
The blend is a Honduran puro using Cuban seed wrapper, binder and filler tobaccos. The experience is described as medium-full with peppery and earthy notes, and striking complexity. Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Selección comes in a cabinet of 20 cigars. The design of the cigar bands is ornate and inspired by old world cuban bands. It comes in vitolas: No.1 (5.6” x 46) $8.79 SRP per cigar, No.2 (4.9” x 50) $8.49 SRP per cigar, and Toro Especiale (6” x 50) $8.99 SRP per cigar. The cigar is made at the HATSA Factory in Danlí Honduras.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Corona Gorda Length: 5 5/8″ Ring Gauge: 46 Country of Origin: Honduras Wrapper: Honduras Binder: Honduras Filler: Honduras Factory: Honduran American Tobacco S.A. (HATSA) Blender: Johnys Diaz Number of reviewers: 5 – Isaac M.(The Nothing) Joseph S.(Bearded Bastard) Jake P.(Jake P.) Lauren S.(Lauren S.) Randy B.(randobush) Price: $8.79 Age: 6 Months Release Date: April 2020 Contributed by: General Cigar
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 94
“An almost perfect maduro wrapper with just slight veining and hardly visible seams. This is the kind of cigar that you just know is going to be amazing by how perfect it looks.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)
Aroma: 90
“Barn, leather and a hint of chocolate ” –Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard)
First Third
Flavor: 93 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Blind Cigar Review: Hoya de Monterrey | Epicure Selección No 1.
“Interesting first light. I’m getting a lot of savory flavor. Almost like a well season strip steak sitting in its trinity, while resting. 1/2” in, baking spices, cedar, paprika, little bit of black pepper, and slight citrus zest come in. Pretty significant transition from first several draws, to the end of the first third” –Randy B. (randobush)
“The first puffs bring that mineral and earth flavor from the foot. There is a very strong black pepper bomb on the retrohale. As continue into the first third start to pick up some peppers on the inhale and a salty lingering flavor on the tongue when holding a nice mouthful of smoke.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)
Blind Cigar Review: Hoya de Monterrey | Epicure Selección No 1.
“While the first third was dominated by dark roasted malts like you would find in a stout beer, the second third brought on an oak quality. The rye crisps flavor was still there but it was definitely subdued and hiding in the background. Almost like eating a piece of toast in an oak grove.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“The second third had much more complexity, as the chocolate faded the spice came back. A heavy meaty flavor came next with a char and roasted hazelnut note. The spice weaved in and out as the second third continued.” –Jake P. (Jake P.)
“Lots of flavor still coming through in the final third. Retrohale reveals a bit of the savory peppery paprika remaining, along with graham cracker, baking spices, leather, & cedar. Long finish is solid in between draws!.” –Randy B. (randobush)
“The spice stayed weaving in and out. In-between the spice you got hit with some rye and pretzels. You also got a pine note here and there. Very strong rustic earth notes ended a fantastic final third.” –Jake P. (Jake P.)
Overall Impressions
Blind Cigar Review: Hoya de Monterrey | Epicure Selección No 1.
Draw: 92
“Perfect amount of resistance, smoke output, and no double puffing required.” –Randy B. (randobush)
Burn: 95
“Burn was a good quality occasionally giving a little wobble but always self corrected.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)
Construction: 94
“Very good. Ash was strongly stacked. They held on tight until you tapped it off.” –Jake P. (Jake P.)
“The cigar started off really well and I was really digging the rye bread flavors, even that little bit of ginger cookie right at the beginning, and then it really fell apart at the end. Unfortunately the finish was bad enough to really affect the whole experience.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“Great burn and draw, a great blend of flavors, but not overwhelming, a god strong cigar with a kick. Loved it.” –Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard)
“Medium to full cigar from the get go. Strong and flavorful throughout the entire time. Spice and pepper to start that moved into a meaty roasted flavor. If you are into rustic strong tobacco then you need to give this cigar a shot.” –Jake P. (Jake P.)
“The flavor of the blend has me anxiously awaiting to find out what it is so I can stock up. A bit heavy for an everyday smoke but after a good dinner it would be stellar or even pairing with dinner if you smoke while you eat. Amazing spice complexity made me always excited for that next puff.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)
“This cigar was a little gem. It kept me intrigued as to what’s next with every puff. It was a very attractive cigar, aesthetically speaking. Nice oily silky shine. I shall remember this cigar fondly.” –Randy B. (randobush)
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: Hoyo de Monterrey | Epicure Selección No 1.
Overall Score – 94 – Excellent
Blind Cigar Review: Hoyo de Monterrey | Epicure Selección No 1.
Summary
"The flavor of the blend has me anxiously awaiting to find out what it is so I can stock up. A bit heavy for an everyday smoke but after a good dinner it would be stellar or even pairing with dinner if you smoke while you eat. Amazing spice complexity made me always excited for that next puff." -Lauren S. (Lauren S.)
