Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 Review: A Cuban Icon Revisited

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 Review: A Cuban Icon Revisited

Overview

Few cigars in the Habanos S.A. portfolio carry the weight of expectation that the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 does. A perennial favourite among aficionados worldwide, this Robusto-sized Cuban has earned its legendary status through decades of consistent, elegant smoking. Produced at the Fábrica de Tabacos La Corona in Havana, the Epicure No. 2 is the benchmark by which many judge the Robusto format. We revisited it with fresh eyes to give you our full, scored assessment.

Vital Statistics

  • Brand: Hoyo de Monterrey
  • Line: Epicure No. 2
  • Vitola: Robusto
  • Size: 4⅞ × 50
  • Wrapper: Cuban (Vuelta Abajo)
  • Binder: Cuban
  • Filler: Cuban (Vuelta Abajo)
  • Strength: Light to Medium
  • Origin: Cuba (Habanos S.A.)
  • Estimated Smoke Time: 45–60 minutes

Cigar Hoyo De Monterrey No.2 with a label on a white background

Construction & Appearance — 9.0/10

The Epicure No. 2 presents beautifully. The wrapper is a silky, even Colorado Claro — pale golden-brown with a subtle sheen and minimal visible veins. The cigar is firm and well-packed throughout, with no soft spots and a perfectly applied triple cap. Pre-light, the cold draw is slightly firm but delivers a lovely sweetness of dried apricot, hay, and a whisper of cocoa. This is a cigar that inspires confidence before the first match is struck.

First Third — 9.0/10

The Epicure No. 2 opens with a signature Hoyo elegance. The first third is defined by creamy cedar, toasted almonds, and a gentle floral sweetness — jasmine and dried hay intertwining in a way that is unmistakably Cuban. White pepper on the retrohale is present but restrained, adding structure without aggression. Strength is firmly light-to-medium, making this an accessible smoke for newer aficionados while still rewarding the experienced palate. The burn is near-perfect from the outset, and the ash holds in a firm, pale column well past an inch.

Second Third — 9.5/10

The second third is where the Epicure No. 2 truly earns its legendary reputation. The profile evolves with grace: the floral notes recede and a richer, more complex character emerges. Roasted coffee, dark honey, leather, and a hint of dark fruit — perhaps dried fig or raisin — layer beautifully over the persistent creaminess. The draw opens slightly, becoming effortless, and smoke production is generous and cool. Strength nudges toward medium but remains supremely balanced. This is Cuban cigar smoking at its most refined.

Final Third — 8.5/10

The final third maintains the quality of what came before, though a slight increase in strength and a touch of pepper heat signal the cigar's conclusion. The coffee and leather notes intensify pleasingly, and the sweetness from the second third lingers as a backdrop. There's a minor uptick in bitterness right at the nub, but this is easily avoided by putting the cigar down a finger's width early. The burn remains impeccable to the end — a testament to the quality of the construction and the leaf. The finish is long and warming, with cedar and roasted nut lingering on the palate.

Scores at a Glance

Category Score
🏗️ Construction & Appearance 9.0 / 10
🔥 First Third 9.0 / 10
🎯 Second Third 9.5 / 10
🏁 Final Third 8.5 / 10
💨 Draw & Burn 9.5 / 10
🌿 Complexity & Flavour 9.5 / 10
💰 Value for Money 8.5 / 10
⭐ Overall Score 9.1 / 10

Cigar pack with branding and warning label on a white background

Pairing Suggestions

The Epicure No. 2's elegant, light-to-medium profile pairs best with spirits that complement rather than compete. A aged Kentucky Bourbon with prominent vanilla and oak — Woodford Reserve Double Oaked or Buffalo Trace — is a classic match, echoing the cigar's sweetness and cedar notes. For Scotch lovers, a Speyside single malt such as Glenfiddich 15 or Balvenie DoubleWood brings out the honey and dried fruit in the second third beautifully. A well-made flat white or lungo is the non-alcoholic pairing of choice, amplifying the roasted coffee notes that emerge mid-smoke.

Final Verdict

The Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 is, quite simply, one of the greatest cigars Cuba produces. It may lack the raw power of a Cohiba Behike or the bold complexity of a Partagás Serie D No. 4, but what it offers in return is something rarer: effortless elegance, impeccable balance, and a flavour journey that unfolds with the patience and grace of a truly great cigar. Whether you're introducing someone to Cuban cigars for the first time or treating yourself to a moment of quiet luxury, the Epicure No. 2 never disappoints. An essential smoke.

Reviewed by the team at Bourbon & Cigars Blackpool.

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