HdM Epicure No. 2 ABO SEP 17 (ARW)

[Benson]

Some backstory: this is from the second box of Cuban cigars I ever purchased about a year and a half ago, the first being a very forgettable box of Cuaba. 
At that time I was more accustomed to to resting habits of NC, so I only gave them a few weeks in the humidor before I smoked about 5 over the next few months. They were alright, cedar-forward but monotone and lacking much depth.

This box is really showcasing what a bit of time can do for CC. The plain cedar has blossomed into a lovely floral bouquet that sits on top of tons of creamy spice. 
 

I give the stick a good clean high straight cut, and I see what I’ve heard called a “craftsman’s dimple.” I don’t know if there’s any legitimacy to this term or if it’s just random, but when I do see it it tends to ramp up my anticipation.

Cold draw is wide open, very little resistance, very light spice.

1st third: wide open draw is providing big, creamy puffs full of light spice and floral cedar retrohale. Absolutely splendid. This blend really delivers a lot of flavor in a very light fashion, it doesn’t have the mouth coating, lingering aspect that full bodied cigars do, but on each puff the flavor is really popping.

2nd third: not much change except the addition of slight leather/more full tobacco taste. Really just a deepening of flavors in the 1st third.
At the end of the 2nd third, I had to pause because: Mail Call! Finally received several 24:24 orders that I had been waiting on. Had to immediately go and play Tetris in my humidor before my girlfriend comes home and complains about the lack of carats on her hand!

Final third: After relighting, the unfortunate drawback (pun intended?) to the wide open draw that I liked so much in the beginning, the cigar begins to get slightly bitter. My own damn fault for not going as slowly as I would have liked, but the flavors at the start were just too good.

Rating: 90

I absolutely love these sticks, perfect for a summer afternoon when you don’t need a nic buzz on the golf course. Creamy-spice-cedar all day, great price point for what they deliver. Can’t wait to start pulling from the 50 cab I have sleeping!

Thanks for reading and enjoy the weekend!
 

 

 

[rcarlson]

Nice review.  You've put them on my radar with that endorsement.  

The creaminess with the EEs I've had has gone from 5 to 10 between boxes.  I do think age/rest plays a big part.  I also do think HDM have cornered the market on the creamsicle experience across the board.  Sounds like the 2 gets the spice that others miss from the reviews I've read, including yours. 

Good luck.