Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 AME JUN 13 Review

[rmill3r]

Cigar: Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 (50 x 4.8", AME JUN 13)

Review date: 9/16/2014 (1 year, 3 months)

This was not only the first full box of Cuban cigars I ever bought, but the first box of cigars I ever bought--period. A friend traded me a sampler of CCs so that I could get my bearings on the marcas, and the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 was my favorite at the time, albeit, the one he gave me already had a few years age on it.

Well, I've now worn down the box quite a bit and am wondering if I still feel the same way . . .

First third

Pre-light, this cigar has a very faint but pleasant aroma of hay, cedar, and herbal tea. The draw? Nearly perfect!

After a slow-but-sure light, this cigar starts of beautifully. That's the one thing I've noticed with every Epi 2 I've had: the beginning is usually the best part. It's creamy, semi-sweet, herbal tea, and I get a nice mint on the finish. It's a very light and complex cigar but it still packs a decent mildly medium punch--something I sometimes aim for.

The burn and ash are solid. The first third is just bliss.

Second third

Oops. Almost burnt the band.

This is where the real complexity of the Epi 2 shines. The creaminess remains, for the most part, but there is a sort of dryness that is introduced here while the herbal tea really steps up to the front plate. Some new flavors in the middle are almost shocking, such as a very distinct, tart lemon zest note as well as white pepper and rye.

The burn gets pretty wacky at this point, but the flavors more than make up for it all.

Final third

By the very end, everything reverts back to a creamy, herbal, semi-sweet profile with an added bit of nuttiness (although I just can't pin down what kind of nut flavor). The strength picks up well into medium for the last third, but retains it's light overall feel. I had to bust out my MTX multi-tool so that I could nub this cigar.

Conclusion

While I feel like the age is what made me truly love the first one I had, the Epicure No. 2 remains one of my favorites right now. Perhaps I got lucky with my box, but none of it has disappointed me. For people who enjoy fuller bodies or strength, this obviously isn't the cigar for you, but variety can be a good thing, and sometimes you want a subtle, complex, lighter cigar--AKA, you want an Epi 2.

Rating: 91

P.S. Thanks, Prez, for the opportunity for this drawing! Reviews are always fun to read/write.

[Optic101]

Nice Cigar, great review. Thanks.

[jerryg05495]

nice job on the review. I have a box of HdM Epicure 2 from August AME 13, just a couple of months after yours. Very enjoyable cigars.

[tjohn7]

Nice work on the review! I have a box coming from The Prez very soon and was excited to hear your review!

Tom

[leftimatic]

Great. One more box to buy, sheesh. Nice review by the way.

[Ramrod918]

Yes very nice indeed

[tjohn7]

Finally smoked the first Epi 2 from my box and boy was that incredible. Not my first CC box, but the first great box I've had. This cigar has it all, and like you said it packed a punch right from the get-go. Couldn't be happier with my choice, as this is one of the best.

Tom

[jimsta10]

is there much of an improvement between a 1 year stick vs, 5-7 year sticks? My 1 year old sticks are smoking great, but was thinking of picking up some aged ones. can anyone comment? cheers.

[stunod]

For me the Epi 2"s really shine after a few years down. Take a few sticks and tuck the away for a few years and you will be rewarded big time.

[Orion21]

AME 2013 Epi 2 are epic cigars. Great review!

[parabola66]

I have only had one, a single I bought to try, was not too impressed, but by no means was a bad experience. Has been in the back of my mind to try again one of these days. Maybe I should pick up a stellar box from 24:24 next time they are up.

[ethernomad]

I have that same ash tray. Didn't care for what came inside it. Bleh. Smoking an Epi 2 as I type this out. Still in the first third and getting wood/nut flavors. There's also a "zing" on my tongue (less so a flavor than a feeling) that I associate with what others call "twang". Can't wait to see what transitions the other thirds bring!

Moving into second third now. I just let rip a big retrohale which morphed the nut flavor into a creamy hazelnut coffee for me. Zing mentioned above is still present. No strength to speak of yet, but lots of flavor.

P. S. The ash auto ejects after an inch or so...

The final third brought an increase to the strength. The "zing" feeling picked up and the hazelnut coffee returned to a general nuttiness. There were wisps of a smokey sweetness which came and went. Similar to campfire-blackened marshmallows. No harshness to report, even into the nub.

An overall enjoyable smoke with great burn and construction.