Let's discuss the Hoyo De Monterrey Grand Epicure EL 2013

[JohnS]

When you think of Hoyo de Monterrey what comes to mind? For me, if it's the Le Hoyo line (consisting of six cigars) I think of how sweet and creamy these cigars become after a significant period of resting (like 5 to 8 years). If it's the other current production cigars, of which there are seven, I think of light cedar/wood tasting notes. Overall, Hoyo de Monterrey is a light strength marca, using tobacco from the premium Vuelta Abajo region.

Which brings me to the Hoyo de Monterrey Grand Epicure EL 2013. The word 'Epicure' refers to either devoting oneself to sensual pleasure or having sensitive and discriminative taste. Hoyo de Monterrey has four cigars with the name 'Epicure' in them, the Epicure No.1 (A Corona Gorda), and Epicure No.2 (a Robusto), an Epicure Especial (a Robusto Extra) and the LCDH Exclusive release, the Epicure de Luxe (a Petit Robusto). Thankfully, I can inform you that no 'Epicure' branded Hoyo de Monterrey cigars have been deleted...yet. Now to the word, 'Grand'. Well, this word has about five or six separate definitions, which the Grand Epicure seems to aim for:

1) Sweeping in ambition or conception

2) Very pleasing, wonderful, splendid.

3) Having more importance than others

4) Dignified or noble.

I decided to visit the Grand Epicure this weekend to assess how it's coming along since its inception in late 2013. I was persuaded to do so by a Canadian FoH'er (thanks Brian) and thankfully I picked this up in a trade at the beginning of this year (thanks Geoff). I must also acknowledge Werner's previous review of this cigar prior to smoking it about a year ago.

The Grand Epicure EL 2013 has been noted for been inconsistent inconstruction when first released. Also, in keeping with traditonal limited editions, this cigar comes with an almost maduro, dark oily wrapper packed with flavour and richness. I like to think of it as what the Cohiba Robusto Supremo EL 2014 is to the Cohiba marca, the Hoyo de Monterrey Grand Epicure EL 2013 is to the Hoyo de Monterrey marca.

So, I was greatly surprised to find a Hoyo de Monterrey cigar that was just below medium-strength, had chocolate and coffee notes, and hints of pepper. That thick dark wrapper needed correcting twice, but other than that, this smoked really well, the construction was excellent. I enjoyed smoking this after work on Friday evening. There was a significant volume of smoke per draw, which was neither loose or tight.

What are your thoughts as to how this is coming along? Will another year or two settle the oils in the wrapper and help it be 'fire-friendly'? My opinion is that the cigar I had was quite good and enjoyable, even if it was a rich version of a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 (at 55 ring gauge x 130 mm, it is 5/64ths of an inch bigger and 6 mm longer than an Epicure No.2). If I had a whole box of 10, I would have been satisfied at tasting this at the two-year mark with the aim to visit it again in 6 to 12 months. Overall, I'd want to give a good five years, in which time, I think the cream elements will come more to the fore.

[Duxnutz]

Had 2. Were really super creamy already in my opinion and more sweeter than I find the Epi 2 (more spice). Only thing is the price at the moment (plus tax).

[Guest scsi]

Great review John!

Useful information and opinions

Will take your advice and leave these at the bottom of my humidor for quite awhile

Thanks again John .

[alpyigit]

Thanks for the review. One of my fave smokes, have some stock that I am trying hard to keep my hands off. it is been a joy to smoke every time.. Unfortunately, the prices moved up too fast to stock further..

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Lotusguy]

I can't stand the fireproof wrappers.

[westg]

One of my favourite cigars ...easily in my top three cigars that have smoked this year ..I don't taste any cream in this cigar ,,,for me it has a lot of rich toasty tobacco, coffee and spicy notes...I also like the size ....I don't think it is like any other Hoyo . I will buy some more ..still plenty out there ..

Cheers John

[JohnS]

I can't stand the fireproof wrappers.

I 100% sympathise...those wrappers are thick!

One of my favourite cigars ...easily in my top three cigars that have smoked this year ..I don't taste any cream in this cigar ,,,for me it has a lot of rich toasty tobacco, coffee and spicy notes...I also like the size ....I don't think it is like any other Hoyo . I will buy some more ..still plenty out there ..

Cheers John

I concur West. I don't get that creaminess too, maybe because I've become accustomed to the creaminess of Cohiba as my main marca perhaps. I also picked up on the notes you've described and agree, this is a unique Hoyo de Monterrey offering.

[El Presidente]

great review mate

[Randolph]

This was a marvellous review to read it really was. Tickled my fancy to completion. Shame I only have a solitary HDH GE sitting in the humidor. Smoked a HDM Epicure Especial yesterday afternoon with a glass of ginger liqueur – was a festival for the tastebuds. HDM Epicure 2 was a favourite late morning cigar – I say this in past tense only as time is a little shorter in supply nowadays.

[busdriver]

Great review and motivation to revist my box soon. I really enjoyed the last one i had a year or so ago when I ate prosciutto and drank bourbon with it!

[Optic101]

Great review John.

Looks like I need to revisit them soon.

[Hoepssa]

I love them and stock some boxes while I can, would be stellar smoke in near future. But It's only Hoyo so stock for your smoke dont save them for investing.

[Fugu]

Great review on this rather rarely mentioned EL, John. Here is my take on this cigar:

When it came out, the HdM GE appeared to be the least acknowledged of the three 2013 LEs (being RyJ Romeo de Luxe and Punch D’Oro No2). Most reviews were mixed and people did not seem to like the initially rather mild to medium profile. And quite right, the best common denominator characterizing this smoke is – creamy. But, paradoxically, it was the one being sold out quickest (perhaps produced in lower numbers?).

I for my part did like them from the start, although the Montesco format extends a bit beyond my usually preferred range of ring gauges. Smoked a few singles from different boxes/sources and have stashed away a few boxes. All smokes have been very consistent and appeared having been made of well aged/well fermented tobacco, construction and burn always being immaculate. And despite being a Limitada they even appeared somehow true to the marca, at least sharing some “Epicurean”-DNA. If I had to critizise one thing it would be the rather quick burn, comparatively short smoke, even in well packed specimens.

However, most boxes I have seen of this release were sporting a nice wrapper of a lighter shade than your usual Limitada. And I guess that this might be one reason for the better burn here and the mixed reviews by others. The lighter-shaded, rather atypical LE-wrappers (still colorado-colorado to a lighter colorado-maduro) tend to be of a slightly thinner, smoother texture. So, if wanting to stock up on the Grand Epi, I would recommend looking for the lighter-shaded boxes in this LE.

Therefore, John, according to your different definitions of “Grand”, for me this is, while perhaps not a ‘splendid’, certainly a very ‘pleasing’ and ‘wonderful’ cigar.

Paul