Hoyo de Monterrey Regalos 2007

[dicko]

I didn't really know how to approach my 1st LE, as they seem to either get bagged (as both a concept and as individuals) or celebrated. I like this size format and the price was ok so I bought a couple of singles. I smoked both over christmas. Had with rum. This is review of the second (sorry no pics - both were dark with attractive but 'dry' looking wrappers, but not to the feel if that makes sense). The first tasted as the second did however it had a much different pre-light aroma - an almost sweaty, 'zoo', meaty aroma -like biltong sticks (beef jerkey). The second (as detailed below) was pure choc.

Pre-draw aroma - chocolate (mix of milk chocolate and dark chocolate). yum!

Initial puffs - lovely sweet and spicy kick of cinnamon. Chocolate!! A big plume of smoke with every puff (who else thinks this adds a lot to the smoking taste and experience??)

1st 3rd - choc remained but some coffee coming in. also a "rum balls" or xmas cake character came in to add some darker fruit flavour.

-both opened and remained at a medium full.

2nd 3rd- choc remains but intermittently and some darker earthy and peppery flavours come to the fore. A slight bean and tea character appears for a while which was to me the only similarity between the few Hoyo's I had had previously (petit robustos and epicure no 2's) and this LE version.

final 3rd - plenty of dark earth flavours, some roasted nuts and bitter chocolate lightened it up though. good spice through nose without being bitter.

Score - I would go a 92 for this. It was very complex (for me at least), displaying many different flavours. really like the size too. As far as it being an LE I must admit it is very different to anything I've smoked before and also reminded me !slightly! of a good quality maduro NC but also had that classy cuban spice and body. I will give other LE's a go for sure and hopefully get more hits (like this) than misses!

Thanks guys

Dicko

[thechenman]

Nice review Dicko...thought about sparking one of those up last night as the snow began to fall in NY, but opted for a SLR Regio instead.

[Bartolomeo]

Thank gosh, not another review by Bart, I was getting sick of his ramblings

Great review and thanks for sharing

Bart

[shrink]

Very nice review, Dicko. You nailed the flavors. I describe this cigar as a "slightly burnt chocolate chip cookie, with nuts and black pepper". One of my current favorites.

[dicko]

Thanks for the replies

[android]

Well done.

[Onsto]

Have 2 boxes of these and smoked 3 since Xmas. I like them pretty well, but my wife absolutely loves them. At various times Ive seen the chocolate and cinammon that everyone refers to, additionally the last third of the one I smoked yesterday had a buttery character, like a spicy shortbread.

[reg]

sounds delicious, thanks for the review

[bassman]

Very nice review. Don't care for the Hoyo regular line & don't own a single stick. They do some nice LEs, though. Love the 03 Piramides- though fading somewhat now. The Regalos are smoking great now, and given my experience with the piramides I plan on smoking my remaining Regalos within the next year.

[MIKA27]

Thanks for the replies

Your review really sells that cigar as those flavours you describe are what I love and look for in a stogie!

I must try one this weekend.

Thanks, a really wonderful review.

[cb]

Sounds good, I ran across half a box of these I didn't remeber buying while playing cigar box tetris. I will have to try soon.

[thechenman]

I smoked the Regalos a week or so ago, and sadly I was not impressed. Many better offerings from HdM.