Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2
Origin: Cuba
Size: 5.00 X 50
Wrapper: Natural

From Pablamos Cigars:
The name of these cigars take their origins from the Hoyo de Monterrey plantation in the Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba. The Monterrey plantation was owned by a Spanish settler, José Gener, who had left Catalunya in 1831 at 13 years of age to join his uncle producing "los majagua cigarillos" for the local Cuban market. In 1851 José convinced his uncle to open a cigar factory in La Habana where they began production of "La Escepcion" brand for the vast American market. Building on the success of this brand José Gener acquired the Hoyo de Monterrey plantation in 1860 and 5 years later began production of the cigars that took their name from this "vega" (Las Vegas translates as the fertile plains). The soft taste of Hoyo de Monterrey cigars is a favourite amongst those who prefer a Habano of less force - delicate, aromatic and complex - and the Double Coronas and the Epicure no 2's are especially well-known amongst lovers of Habanos cigars.

Reviewed by: Don Blonde
Date: May 2004
Notes:

This is a wonderful cigar that quite frankly I came upon by accident. I don’t like Hoyos that is the ones made outside of Cuba. So when this one was given to me quite frankly I threw it in the humidor and forgot about it. Well I decided to try it and fell in love with it. It has a fruity nutty salty spicy long peppery finish that is to say the least out of this world.

The wide range of flavors comes in long stages. The cigar is strong from start to finish, but never harsh. Needless to say this wide range of flavors is unavailable in any Dominican, Honduran, Nicaraguan, Etc I have smoked in the past 25 years. I have smoked them all Partagas, Cohibas, Punch to name a few. I, like many thought they were the best in the world, boy was I ignorant.

The Cubans have opened my eyes to what a cigar is meant to be. The Embargo has created a whole market of sub standard replacements that we are forced to smoke!