Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure Especial EMA May 08

[aavkk]

Rob just out of curiosity did you receive these straight from Havana or did you let them sit for 30 days before smoking these examples? I know you mentioned you are going to review them again in a month, if you did in fact smoke them off the plane I am curious as to what if any improvement you find. Thanks for the honest assessment as usual.

Alan

[Guest rob]

» Thanks for the honest assessment as usual.

I must concur.

Thanks mate.

[El Presidente]

» Rob just out of curiosity did you receive these straight from Havana or did

» you let them sit for 30 days before smoking these examples? I know you

» mentioned you are going to review them again in a month, if you did in

» fact smoke them off the plane I am curious as to what if any improvement

» you find. Thanks for the honest assessment as usual.

»

» Alan

They arrived in Australia Monday from PCCHK where they were only for a few days before dispatch. Took a few days to clear customs and we received them Thursday. This review took place Friday.

There was obviously no 30 day rest ....but neither was there for the Upmann 50 which was the same shipment.

I can only call it as I see it and both will reviewed again in 30 days.

[Minismithy]

As per Prez's request…

I remember opening a box of these to pull the 4 sticks we needed and being overwhelmed by the amazing aroma. As memories of my most recent HdM experience sprung to mind (an excellent epicure #2) I was looking forward to this cigar.

Unfortunately I was very disappointed, the epi especial offered me nothing. As Rob has already commented, the opening was a very harsh acidic experience. For me this characteristic never left, and it never weakened, so I was left with a very one sided and bitter cigar.

How much of the bitterness can be attributed to youth I couldn't say as I am far from an expert, but in a few months I could see myself coming back to it.

[asmith]

What to say? I am with Rob on this review, and I don't want to make too much of an assessment until I have had a chance to try them again in a months time.

Perhaps it was the expectation of a new cigar that somewhat blinded me to the flavours that this cigar presented. A beautifully presented cigar with one of the most ordinary bands I have ever seen. This second band is as half assed an effort as you are ever likely to see out of Cuba.

The cigar from start to end was very light in flavour and complexity. Weak milky coffee and only a slight hint of cedar. The smoke itself was thick and full yet didn't leave any significant flavour on my palette.

This is where I feel a little lost and needing another review. Perhaps there were subtle flavours there that I have missed due to my expectations.

I hope it will improve with time and produce floral and sweet characteristics, only time will tell.

[El Presidente]

Lets start wth the Habanos sa blurb

HOYO DE MONTERREY EPICURE ESPECIAL

Epicure Especial is a Habano of excellent sizes (50 x 141), in line with the preferences of today’s smokers. This Habano presents a characteristic softness and intense flavor, and soon turned into a class of its own after its presentation in 2004 as a Limited Edition.

Habanos lovers will recognize this new product not only for its size, but for its second ring along with the Hoyo de Monterrey ring. Its tube presentation will be also different. The top range tube of the brand will be launched this year together with the rest of the brand’s tubes.

Epicure Especial is the flagship of the Epicure Line, which includes the Epicure No.1 and No.2 with the same characteristics that have made these sizes the leading products of the brand. The communication codes will also be common, since they will all have the same second ring with the name of each commercial size printed on it.

We had four tasters on the deck: Alain, Smithy, Simon and myself. This cigar was tried prior to Magnum 50 and I we all had high hopes. With a box code of EMA May 08 we knew they were young but were looking forward to seeing what hints of promise would be revealed.

Visually it is a very good looking cigar ….oily wrapper, well constructed but with a butt ugly second white band telling us it was an Epicure Especial. Seriously I think the second bands on both this cigar and the Magnum 50 were the result of a nationwide competition of 10 year olds. Thankfully we don’t smoke the band and it can be easily removed.

There is an element of wetness to this cigar. The wrapper feels oily to the touch but I suspect it is partly due to the high moisture content. The aroma at cold was rich pure tobacco with a “wet dog” undertone which again heightened my suspicion as to the moisture content.

Clipped the cap and the draw on mine was near perfect. Clean tobacco on the lips.

Poured another glass of Tin Shed Shiraz and fired up the foot which took easily to flame. There is a harsh opening which was experienced by all four tasters. There is acidity to the opening third which I determine is youth. The acidity however is not overtly aggressive, just bloody annoying. Strong white pepper through the nose. Some elements of dried fruit but overpowered by the acidity and tannin to the point where their ability to shine is shut down. There is power (although overall medium body), there is quality tobacco, there is no balance, no complexity.

Alain, Smithy, Simon and I look at each other. The cigar in its present guise is a dog. It is nowhere near ready to smoke. I throw out to the group that it needs at least three years to finds its balance. Smithy agrees. Alain is unconvinced. Simon just reckons it sucks. I would be more comfortable in calling this an ager if the body was fuller. I have tried enough tannin laden full bodied cigars of the past which aged beautifully but were woeful in their youth.

All four of us finished the cigars….although there were a couple of inches left on most. I don’t want to beat around the bush in that it was a singularly disappointing event. I have had three subsequently with much the same result.

So what is my assessment? Tough one.

The tobacco used is of high quality. The tannins are there in spades. The cigars are young and overly moist and a follow up review needs to be completed in a month when some samples are dry boxed for up to 10 days (which is what I think is needed). If you are looking for a cigar to smoke now walk away and purchase the Upmann Magnum 50. If however you are prepared to put thee away for 3-5 years (and perhaps longer) then I have a gut feeling you may be rewarded. Rewarded with what is the question.

The Epicure Especial is perhaps the most intriguing and frustrating Hoyo I have tried. It does not fit any of the Hoyo De Monterrey flavour profiles at least not at this time. It has the tannins of Punch SS2’s when they were young but not quite the body. I am perplexed as I think all the tasting group were.

Right now an 83. 3/6 Smokerings. I will still put a 2 box’s or 2 cabs away as a long term sleepers not to be touched until 2011/2012. There is something about that aroma at cold and tannin laden first half which gives enough promise of mongrel which will be refined into something special. If it were a racehorse I would bet $50 each way. I wouldn’t put my house on it.

I would love Alain, Smithy and Simon to add their comments to this review as it was one of those cigars which I struggled to get my head around.

Will review again in a month.

[EricM]

Any chance you've had one of these recently? Debating on a box and would love to hear another review.

[stargazer14]

I have an 08 box and I really like them. I'm getting much complexity from mine.

And its easy to see they have what it takes to get even better. I would not hesitate to purchase a box to slowly work on.