Connoisseur’s Corner: Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 (2015)
The world of Cuban robustos is surprisingly small, and one of the very best is the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2. This 10-year-old example is a superb performer, with a smooth, full draw. It delivers pleasant baking spice notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, with a slight chocolate note and even a hint of raisin. Delicious. —Marvin R. Shanken
After spending so much time in a tube (it’s been aging for 23 years), I thought this smaller cigar wouldn’t have much left, but I was pleasantly surprised after lighting it up to discover that it kept getting better and better. Nutmeg, earth and walnut notes pair beautifully on the palate, and the cigar also has a lovely draw and an even burn. —Marvin R. Shanken
Cuba’s Sublime size (6 1/2 inches long, 54 ring gauge) tends to be magical, and this fat Ramon Allones is a blockbuster of flavor from the first puff. Raisins and chocolate-covered coffee beans are prominent at first, then it takes on some almond notes as it burns, all the while maintaining a strong, earthy core. A wonderful Cuban cigar. —David Savona
Considering the age of this petit corona, its concentrations of leather and spice are nothing short of astounding. All the tobacco is from Litto Gomez’s farm in La Canela, Dominican Republic, which is located in an arid region of the country known for producing intense tobacco. It has a cocoa note and a finish of dark chocolate studded with dried chili peppers. —Gregory Mottola
