Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial

Size: 50 × 141 (5.6")

Shape: Robusto Extra
Filler: Cuba

Binder: Cuba

Wrapper: Cuba

Smoking Time: 1 hour

Beverage: Saison Dupont Ale

The Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial was re-released in 2008 after the popularity of the 2004 Edicion Limitada, and is considered by some to be the flagship of the Hoyo line.  It has received consistently good reviews by our fellow cigar reviewers and its flavors have been described as spicy, woodsy, cream, and leather.  Of all the popular Cuban cigar lines, Hoyo de Monterrey is one of the brands I have little experience smoking.  However, after sampling several well constructed, but poor tasting non-Cuban cigars on a recent trip to Anaheim I was looking forward to sampling the Epicure Especial.

This was actually the second time we've smoked an Epicure Especial.  The first was this past summer and neither of us could seem to remember much about the experience.  Something in the back of my mind told me that this was probably not a good thing as good cigars tend to be hard to forget and constantly capture your attention over and over again.  However, the Epicure Especial is a gorgeous looking cigar and its dark, oily wrapper and the fragrant smell of grass and cedar that emanates from the seemingly well-constructed tobacco leaves is certainly difficult to ignore.  I clipped the head and sampled the pre-draw – not a lot going on, but some nice subtle hints of tobacco and wood.

As I lit the foot of the cigar, I received some nice bursts of creamy smoke that initially tasted quite spicy, but not too powerful.  These notes of cream and spice continued for the first few puffs and the cigar seemed to maintain a medium-light bodied strength throughout.  I also detected strong notes of wood, roasted nuts, and a bit of sweetness that I enjoyed.  However, after only a few minutes I began to experience the first of several construction problems.  The draw on the cigar became quite tight, but this problem cleared up after the first third.  I also had several burn problems which were annoying and the wrapper began to unravel after the first half.  Furthermore, the cigar began to taste quite harsh after the first third and this continued throughout the rest of the smoke.  Some of these problems could have stemmed from the fact the cigar seemed over-humidified or perhaps it needed more time in the humidor to settle down.  Either way, neither of us particularly enjoyed the experience and I therefore give the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial two Castro heads out of five.

Tatuaje Havana VI Artistas Torpedo

Size: 52 × 157 (6.2")

Shape: Torpedo

Filler: Nicaragua

Binder: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Nicaragua

Smoking Time: 1.5 hours

Beverage: Captain Morgan Spiced Rum & Cola

Tatuaje has become a household name in the homes of cigar smokers in the United States, such that it's now surpassed the Opus X as the most in-demand brand in America. According to the Tatuaje website, the Havana VI line is "blended with in the style of the flavorful yet Medium Bodied Cuban Cigars". Being frequent Cuban cigar smokers, we thought we'd put this statement to the test.

This torpedo was well constructed with a wrapper that appeared surprisingly like those used on many Cuban cigars, namely the Partagas Serie P No. 2. It had no soft spots, and had a good weight in the hand. The triple cap was well-applied, and didn't unravel upon clipping. The pre-draw revealed earthy notes of hay and peat.

After lighting the foot, the first puff gave me a blast of pepper that was spicy but not overwhelming. The pepper quickly subsided and was replaced with a very unique medium-bodied flavour that I can only describe as woodsy (but different from anything else I've smoked). There was a very sweet faintness that remained throughout the first two thirds. Rich flavours of earth and wood mingled in and out for the first and second third. In the final third, the strength intensified but remained well-balanced and without harshness.

The Tatuaje Havana VI Artistas Torpedo is a well-balanced and flavourful medium-bodied smoke that suits our taste very well. It is surprisingly similar to the taste of the Cuban Partagas line, but with more balance and nuance right out of the box. I have no reservations in giving it four Fidels out of five.

Cohiba Gran Reserva Siglo IV

Size: 52 × 150 (5.9")

Shape: Robusto Extra

Filler: Cuba

Binder: Cuba

Wrapper: Cuba

Smoking Time: 2 hours 

Beverage: Whisky, prosecco, and espresso

Review 1

The Cohiba Gran Reserva Siglo VI is the first release in Habanos S.A.'s super-premium, limited edition line of cigars for the (even more) premium market. It contains the best tobacco from Vuelta Abajo that is fermented three times and then aged for five years. Everybody seems to be going crazy over this smoke (YouTube link), so we had to give it a try.

We were lucky enough to be invited to a dinner put on by our local B&M, who provided a box of these for the lucky 15 to be included. Good food, great company, and excellent libations (thanks, Curtis).

The cigar had a fantastic aroma of caramel and cedar that immediately caught my attention as I inspected the construction, which was flawless. The wrapper was perfect in every way and there were no soft spots. It seemed to be densely packed and had little give when pinched.  The pre-draw tasted fantastic, with an easy draw that revealed easily detectable notes of cedar and cream (yes, cream).

I took my time charring and lighting the foot with four matches, but had some trouble establishing an even light due to the size of the cigar, so I touched it up with a torch lighter to ensure that there wouldn't be any burn problems later on. The first puff was surprisingly full of pepper and charred wood. I let it settle for a minute, and with the next puff the cigar immediately changed to produce immensely balanced and mellow flavours of tea, coffee, and a wood that I had a difficult time pinning down (maybe hickory?). Each puff after that changed incredibly, and it was difficult to identify the individual flavour components of its very complex profile. Nonetheless, I also picked up some vanilla, toffee, cream, and a great floral tone that came in and out throughout the first 2/3's of the smoke.

As the burn approached the last third of the cigar, some very faint tannic notes began to linger on the finish, which told me that the cigar still needed some age. The flavours continued to change with each puff, with a delicious but very subtle sweetness coming in at times. I got very close to nubbing the cigar, but some harshness began to set in near the end. Not wanting to ruin the experience, I reluctantly let the cigar extinguish itself with about one inch remaining.

This was an outstanding cigar that, with some age, would be absolutely perfect. However, given the very high price tag, it's not likely to end up in my humidor when I could buy a1970's Davidoff for a similar price. But, for the nearly-perfect smoke that it is, I give it four and a half Castros out of Five.

Review 2

Considering the rarity and expense of this Limited Edition Cohiba cigar my expectations were exceptionally high.  I had read outstanding reviews of this cigar online and watched a video review by the Friends of Habanos that only served to heighten my anticipation.  To offer some background, the Cohiba Gran Reserva is constructed using 5 year old aged Cuban tobacco.  According to online reviews, the tobacco used to construct the cigar is a rare type of Ligero that is hand picked from the finest that Cuba has to offer.  There were only 5000 boxes created and some have called the Cohiba Gran Reserva the greatest cigar ever constructed.  Although the price is fairly prohibitive ($150 a stick in Canada and $2500 a box), I felt extremely fortunate to have been included in a special cigar event hosted by our local cigar hangout where 16 guys sampled the Gran Reserva for the first time.

The box the Gran Reserva comes in is the first hint that this cigar is unique and expensive.  It is something of a work of art in its own right and is more than adequate for housing such a sophisticated specimen of Cuban architecture.  After hand picking my cigar from a nearly full box, I examined it thoroughly for imperfections.  None.  The Gran Reserva is impeccably constructed with no noticeable veins or soft spots.  If a cigar was to be judged on construction alone, this would easily rate as the best I have seen.  I took extra precaution in clipping the cap and sampled the pre-draw.  Perfect.  The Gran Reserva offered ample circulation with just enough resistance to keep things interesting.  I light the cigar with several matches, sat back in an office chair wheeled out for the event, and took in my first sample of finest that Cuba has to offer.

The first third of the cigar was smooth and I noticed tons of toasty, woody notes that maintained throughout the first two-thirds of the cigar.  The aroma of the cigar was magnificent and the white smoke that filled the room was sublime.  The cigar maintained my attention throughout and the complexity of the flavours that danced in and out of my palate kept me intrigued, curious, and satisfied.  The Gran Reserva demonstrated no signs of the youthful bitterness that often accompanies new cigars – no doubt a result of the aging process.  However, in the last third of the cigar it became a bit harsher than other aged cigars that I have enjoyed and this was a bit disconcerting considering the quality and price of the smoke.  Overall, at the end of the night after far too much scotch and bourbon I was glad to have spent the money and to have joined the relatively few that will ever smoke such a divine cigar.  However, I doubt I would purchase another one considering the ample number of other fine cigars on the market for a fraction of the cost.  I give the Cohiba Gran Reserva 4 ½ Castros out of 5.