Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 Reserva Cosecha 2012 Cigar

INNOVATIVE. ELEGANT. MORE THAN A CENTURY'S WORTH OF SUCCESS 

Behind the Brand is our popular series which provides you with the opportunity to discover more about the brands that produce your favourite Cuban Cigars online. Previously we have featured:

• Bolivar Cigars

• Montecristo Cigars

• Romeo Y Julieta Cigars

• Partagas Cigars

• H. Upmann Cigars

Hoyo de Monterrey Cigars are one of the oldest and most treasured Cuban cigar brands in the world. A potent concoction of aromatic, distinctive and elegantly complex flavours, has made the name a symbol to represent why cigars from Cuba are the finest. The company was registered in 1865, but the story of how it began dates back to 1831. A young teenager had visions to strike out in the industry on his own.

WORKING IN VUELTA ABAJO – A Spainard from Tarragona, Don Jose Gener y Batet, moved to Cuba in 1831 and began work on his uncle’s plantation in Vuelta Abajo. While the region is now the world’s best for growing tobacco, in the early nineteenth century, factory owners were just beginning to see its potential. Having spent twenty years working on the land, Jose saved up enough money to open his own cigar company called La Escepion. Though not incredibly popular, profits were well enough for Jose to buy one of the greatest farms in Vuelta Abajo.

Top Left: Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto Cigar, Bottom Left: Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1 Cigar, Right: Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial Cigar

"largest cigar making factories in Cuba"

MEANING OF THE NAME – Hoyo de Monterrey refers to the farm’s hollow shape which is excellent for producing tobacco leaves. The word ‘Hoyo’ means hole and also relates to the low position of the farm near the banks of the San Juan y Martinez river. With the most perfect land and years worth of experience, Hoyo de Monterrey quickly climbed to become one of the largest cigar making factories in Cuba. The company remained in the Gener name for more than fifty years.

FAMOUS CIGAR FIRM – Jose Gener died in 1900 and left Hoyo de Monterrey to his eldest daughter Lutgarda Gener. She successfully took charge until 1931, when she and her family sold the brand to focus on their sugarcane plants. Hoyo de Monterrey was left in the hands of a reputable Cuban Cigar firm called Fernandea, Palicio y Cia. Their cigar portfolio included Belindea and our beloved Punch Cigars. All was well, but then came the Cuban Revolution.

LEAVING CUBA AND NEW OWNERS – Head of the firm Fernando Palicio left Cuba soon after Fidel Castro came to power, and moved to Florida. He sold his cigar lines to the Villazon family, who began crafting non-Cuban Hoyo de Monterrey Cigars with Honduran tobacco. To this day, the Cuban producing Hoyo de Monterrey is run and owned by the Cuban government. Only Cuban Hoyo de Monterrey Cigars use unique and first-rate tobacco to combine light and silky aromas together.

Top Left and Bottom: Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 Cigar, Top Right: Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 Reserva Cosecha 2012 Cigar

"centre of modern innovation"

EPICURE LINE – Spectacularly renowned and for good reason. The Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1 Cigar is classified as one of the finest. Despite holding a considerable ring gauge of 46, the habano provides light and mild tastes which are luxuriously rich. The presentation of these cigars is second to none. Two glitzy cigar bands are featured – the first to recognise the brand, the other to display the cigar’s name. If you were to purchase a box from us, the cigars will be wrapped in an opulent ribbon, which makes one of our boxes perfect as a special gift.

EPICURE NO. 2 – Due to popularity, the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 Cigar soon followed. A slightly larger ring gauge of 50, the cigar begins as mild and mellow, slowly transitioning to delicious pepper, earth and cedar. An additional iconic smoke, is the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 Reserva Cosecha 2012 Cigar. Marvellously aromatic, picture a delectable intensity in a light to medium flavour. A mere 5,000 boxes have been created. The Epicure line continues to gain a devoted following, with the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial Cigar, and the Epicure de Luxe.

LEGACY – While Hoyo de Monterrey may be one of the oldest, the cigar brand continues to be at the centre of modern innovation. Experimenting with a vast range of cigar sizes, in 2005 the company introduced a Petit Robusto vitola. Another worldwide triumph, now adopted by many other brands. The Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto Cigar is a 1022mm by a 50 ring gauge. From the Le Hoyo Series, to the Epicure, Hoyo de Monterrey continues its legacy as one of the biggest names to make cigars for sale online.