Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2

Stars: 3.5
Purchased: Gift from Darsh to Jem (London 9/13)
Smoked: London 4/9/13
Country: Cuba
Size: Robusto

Notes: Imagine there are two brothers. They grow up together, one has a stocky build and appears confident and bold; the other is shorter, pudgier, and is overlooked when basketball teams are picked because the captain assumes size and height is everything. The larger of the brothers is good-looking, tanned, and knows how to attract potential suitors with his appearance, but in reality it is the smaller of the brothers who has the complexity and style, the depth of character and quality and dignity that surprises most people who bother to take the time to get to know him. Now imagine the bigger of the brothers is the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2, and his shorter brother is the Petit Robusto of the same name, and you'll come close to understanding what it was like to smoke the No. 2. Now to the actual fucking tasting notes: a great burn, very even. Not as spicy as the PR, but still very creamy and smooth as most HDMs are known to be. Nutty afterthoughts, somewhat like Frangelico but without the sweetness or ice. A very enjoyable smoke that would benefit from another trial before deciding to add it to the repertoire. Would suit an intermediate smoker or a smoke on the beach in the heat with a cocktail after some tasty fish and chips; it would not likely be as rewarding with a glass of whisky in the depths of the Scottish winter after a plate of roasted grain-fed bovine.

Partagas - Serie D No. 4

Stars: 4
Purchased: Gift from Darsh (London 9/13)
Smoked: London 4/9/13
Country: Cuba
Size: Robusto

Notes: I was interested in this particular cigar as soon as I laid hands on it. It was that perfect level of moistness and hardness to feel fresh without being damp. After a little hestitation lighting it (still haven't fully mastered the lighting process), had initially strong, deep flavours, which matured into a consistent, coffee-tinted taste til the non-bitter end. The roll seemed very good but it did go out without my permission at one point before I was quite done with it which was perhaps the only smirch on an otherwise very enjoyable cigar.

Bolivar - Royal Corona

Stars: 4.5
Purchased: London 1/13
Smoked: London 20/7/13
Country: Cuba
Size: Robusto

Notes: The last of the four cigars given to me as a present for my 30th birthday by my sterling friends. This particular cigar actually suffered from a fungal infection and nearly had to be tossed but amputated the foot and was just able to save it. Very glad we did. Almost flawless. Smooth, tasty, interesting, cool, burned well. A genuine pleasure.

Montecristo Epicure No.2

Stars: 1.5
Purchased: Paris 25/5/13
Smoked: London 19/6/13
Country: Cuba
Size: Piramide (Torpedo)

‘This is a truly wonderful cigar when properly aged and if there are no construction issues’ – a quote from a review I read about this old stogie. I think this is the key point here, as I don’t think it was either properly aged or had no construction issues. We had to re-light them several times, mainly due to uneven burning. The only memories I have of the flavour were that it tasted like a cigar, which is not a particularly memorable thing. Slight notes of hazel nuts toward the middle, but apart from that, an uneventful smoke. For 14 euro, there are certainly better buys out there. -Adam

Very disappointing. Read a good review on it which got my hopes up. Visibly and tactibly the cigar was great, also, surprisingly light I thought, but that had no bearing in the end. When it came to smoking, had severe trouble keeping it lit. Most frustrating. Didn't really taste of much at all either. We ended up getting them from the 'top' cigar place in Paris which did seem very good, so hopes were even higher from that. Dashed in the end though.

Bolívar Británicas

Stars: 2
Purchased: London 24/1/2013
Smoked: London 26/1/2013
Country: Cuba
Size: Británicas
Notes: Limited edition, specially produced for the UK. Thought I was in for a rollercoaster but instead got a cold donut. Canoed atrociously from the get go, burned too hot throughout, and lack of flavour generally. Will stick with the tried and true for a while after this I think.

Montecristo Open Master

Stars: 3
Purchased: London, 30th birthday present
Smoked: London 28/2/13
Country: Cuba
Vitola: Robusto
Notes: Quite an enjoyable smoke. Had a good flavour throughout but dropped off a bit when it was towards the end. Not a hat-blower but would probably smoke again.

Ramon Allones Specially Selected

Stars: 2
Purchased: London 30th birthday present
Smoked: London 8/4/13
Country: Cuba
Vitola: Robusto

Notes: Disappointing. Not a whole lot of depth, burned a bit too hot.