I discovered this Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo Du Maire at the bottom of my humidor, and it must be at least 15 years old. I figured it was time to give it a try. While I usually avoid smaller cigars with such a tiny ring gauge, I do enjoy Hoyo de Monterrey, so I decided to go for it.
Review:
Another nice day with temperatures in the high 60s and sunny skies, I lit up the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo Du Maire and was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable it was. I often find that smaller cigars tend to burn hot and lack a distinct flavor profile, but this one exceeded my expectations.
Construction and Burn: The construction was excellent, with a perfect draw. Smaller ring gauge cigars can be hit or miss, but whoever rolled this beauty did a fantastic job.
Flavor Profile: The pre-light aroma was floral and earthy. After lighting, the initial flavors were somewhat elusive, but a few minutes in, the cigar opened up beautifully. I began to notice toasty woodiness, mild earthy tones paired with rich, semi-sweet smoke. It produced a generous amount of smoke without any harshness, remaining very smooth throughout.
Mid-Smoke: As the cigar progressed, the flavors blossomed. The toasty/earthy/woody profile transitioned into a delightful medley, including mild coffee (reminiscent of a breakfast blend), hints of fruitiness, and toasted caramel. Halfway through, I detected flavors that reminded me of Thai black tea with caramelized sugar, creating a harmonious blend of earthy and fruity sweetness. I was truly impressed.
Ending Notes: This excellently constructed cigar delivered tasty flavors from start to finish. Towards the end, I noted more woodiness with a touch of white pepper, adding a nice and surprising finishing touch. It maintained a perfect, even burn throughout.
Overall Thoughts: While I typically prefer larger cigars, I must admit this one was a real pleasure. In just about 30 minutes, the Le Hoyo Du Maire showcased a fantastic flavor profile and a flawless burn. I would describe it as a full-size corona condensed into a petite format, delivering an equally enjoyable experience.
Review:
Another nice day with temperatures in the high 60s and sunny skies, I lit up the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo Du Maire and was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable it was. I often find that smaller cigars tend to burn hot and lack a distinct flavor profile, but this one exceeded my expectations.
Construction and Burn: The construction was excellent, with a perfect draw. Smaller ring gauge cigars can be hit or miss, but whoever rolled this beauty did a fantastic job.
Flavor Profile: The pre-light aroma was floral and earthy. After lighting, the initial flavors were somewhat elusive, but a few minutes in, the cigar opened up beautifully. I began to notice toasty woodiness, mild earthy tones paired with rich, semi-sweet smoke. It produced a generous amount of smoke without any harshness, remaining very smooth throughout.
Mid-Smoke: As the cigar progressed, the flavors blossomed. The toasty/earthy/woody profile transitioned into a delightful medley, including mild coffee (reminiscent of a breakfast blend), hints of fruitiness, and toasted caramel. Halfway through, I detected flavors that reminded me of Thai black tea with caramelized sugar, creating a harmonious blend of earthy and fruity sweetness. I was truly impressed.
Ending Notes: This excellently constructed cigar delivered tasty flavors from start to finish. Towards the end, I noted more woodiness with a touch of white pepper, adding a nice and surprising finishing touch. It maintained a perfect, even burn throughout.
Overall Thoughts: While I typically prefer larger cigars, I must admit this one was a real pleasure. In just about 30 minutes, the Le Hoyo Du Maire showcased a fantastic flavor profile and a flawless burn. I would describe it as a full-size corona condensed into a petite format, delivering an equally enjoyable experience.
