Hoyo de Monterrey Dark Sumatra Ebano
Origin: Honduras
Size: 6.00 X 45
Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatran

From 1st Class Cigar Humidors:
Full-bodied line extension to the majestic Hoyo de Monterrey brand. Wrapped in the darkest sun-grown Ecuadorian Sumatran leaf, this new blend uses select tobaccos from five nations to provide a rich, robust smoke packed with earthy flavors. This is a cigar for those who crave a heavier, Cuban-style smoke.

Reviewed by: Joon Ho Lee
Date: July 2003
Notes:

The dark Sumatran line from Hoyo de Monterrey gets very little respect, along the lines of pricing, but it turned out to be one of the best smokes, period. At a little under 3 dollars per stick, I bought a pair and set out to make sure that I'd be disappointed again. I was wrong.

The cigar is exquisitely crafted, with few veins and nice even dark wrapper. Essentially, a corona, the Ebano started off full-bodied, with a plethora of different flavors. It burned evenly throughout the entire smoke (which lasted well over an hour, more likely because of my carelessness towards tending to my cigar)

It has a dark taste to accompany its appearance, meaning that it has the flavor of espresso. I was in search of a non-Cuban that actually delivered the full body it promised, and I've been disappointed time and time again, but I was moved by this cigar. It went out in the middle of the cigar, because I let it sit for over 10 minutes. I blew into it, then relit, fearing that I'd lost the flavor, but no. It was unbelievable. The very next day I bought two boxes. I think that says enough.