Hoyo de Monterrey Serie Le Hoyo

Description

The sun dips below the horizon, casting long shadows across the wooden planks of the deck as the evening air begins to cool. You reach for the heavy glass ashtray and settle into the leather chair, knowing the next hour belongs entirely to you.

The Smoking Experience

First Third: Lighting this heavy ring gauge takes a moment, but once the foot glows evenly, the draw offers almost zero resistance. It starts surprisingly gentle for its size, greeting the palate with soft notes of dry cedar and a distinct tea-like quality. You might expect a pepper blast from a cigar this wide, but it stays creamy and restrained right out of the gate.

Mid-Section: As the burn line progresses past the first inch, the profile opens up significantly. That initial woodiness shifts into something sweeter, reminding you of burnt caramel or perhaps a touch of floral honey. There is a clean, grassy undertone here that cuts through the sweetness, keeping the smoke from feeling too heavy on the tongue.

Final Third: Approaching the band, the strength ticks up just enough to let you know it is still a Habano. The sweetness recedes slightly to reveal a darker, earthier core mixed with faint leather. It never gets harsh or hot, maintaining that polished, aromatic character until you finally set the nub down.

Flavor Profile

The Story Behind Hoyo de Monterrey

Jose Gener founded this brand back in 1865, naming it after his specific plantation in the San Juan y Martinez town, a spot often called the heart of the Vuelta Abajo. While many Cuban brands chased power over the decades, Hoyo stuck to its guns by mastering elegance and aromatic complexity. This specific stick broke the mold in 2014 by bringing a modern, thick ring gauge to the historically slender Le Hoyo series.

Perfect Pairings

• Rum: Havana Club 15yr – The dried fruit notes in the rum latch onto the caramel sweetness of the cigar perfectly without drowning out the lighter tobacco.
• Whiskey: Balvenie DoubleWood – The sherry cask finish of the scotch amplifies the cedar and floral tones in the smoke while adding a nice vanilla bridge.
• Coffee: Cuban espresso – A strong, sugary shot cuts right through the creamy texture of the smoke for a high-contrast morning puff.

Ideal For

This is the right choice for someone who loves the look of a fat cigar but hates the aggressive nicotine hit that usually comes with them. It fits perfectly after a light lunch or during a midday break when you want flavor without being knocked out for the rest of the afternoon.