Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2

There is a particular kind of pleasure found in restraint—the art of saying more with less, of allowing subtlety to carry the conversation rather than bombast. This is the philosophy that has guided Hoyo de Monterrey since 1865, and nowhere is it more eloquently expressed than in the Epicure No. 2, a robusto that has earned its place among the most revered cigars to emerge from Cuban soil.

Specifications

The Story Behind the Smoke

The name "Epicure" is no accident—it references the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus, who taught that pleasure is the highest good, though not through excess but through moderation and the appreciation of simple, refined joys. Hoyo de Monterrey adopted this name in the pre-1960 era, and the No. 2 has since become the standard-bearer for what a Cuban robusto can be when crafted with elegance rather than brute force.

Grown in the fertile San Juan y Martínez region of Vuelta Abajo, the tobacco that comprises the Epicure No. 2 benefits from soil that imparts a natural sweetness and an uncommon delicacy. The Jose L. Piedra factory transforms these leaves into a cigar that has, over decades, accumulated one of the most consistent rating records in the Cuban canon—praised for its balance, its construction, and perhaps most importantly, its refusal to overwhelm. In a world of ever-stronger blends chasing higher intensity, the Epicure No. 2 remains steadfastly, unapologetically refined.

This pack of three offers the opportunity to experience what generations of aficionados have discovered: that true sophistication lies not in power, but in poise.

The Tasting Experience

First Light: The Opening Statement

The initial draw introduces itself with remarkable composure. Bold Cuban tobacco forms the foundation, but it is immediately dressed in layers of cedar and cocoa, the kind of cocoa that suggests fine chocolate rather than raw cacao. Vanilla bean weaves through the profile, accompanied by a whisper of cinnamon and a floral quality that hints at orange blossom. The texture is distinctly creamy, coating the palate with a velvety richness that never becomes heavy. This is a cigar that announces its intentions clearly: it will seduce rather than assault.

The Journey: The Middle Act

As the burn progresses into the second third, the Epicure No. 2 begins its most captivating transition. The body settles firmly into medium territory, and the creaminess that defined the opening now shares the stage with emerging notes of white pepper and malt. The vanilla persists but becomes more integrated, a supporting player rather than a lead. There is a harmonious interplay between sweetness and spice here that rewards patient attention—the kind of complexity that reveals itself only to those who listen carefully.

The Finale: The Last Word

The final third brings a gentle intensification. Cedar reasserts itself with greater authority, now accompanied by woody undertones and a suggestion of clove that adds warmth without bitterness. The pepper notes that appeared earlier mature into a refined spice that lingers on the finish. Earth emerges in the closing moments, grounding the experience and providing a satisfying conclusion to what has been a remarkably coherent journey from first light to final ash.

Who It's For

The Epicure No. 2 is the ideal companion for the contemplative smoker—someone who appreciates that the finest things in life reveal themselves gradually. It suits a long lunch that stretches into late afternoon, a quiet evening on a terrace with nowhere to be and nothing to prove. This is not a cigar for those seeking to test their endurance, but for those who understand that true luxury resides in balance. The pack of three format makes it perfect for a weekend escape or as an introduction for the smoker ready to graduate into the world of Cuban cigars.

Pairing Suggestion

A well-aged rum from eastern Cuba, perhaps a Santiago de Cuba 12 Year, will echo the vanilla and cocoa notes while adding its own caramel complexity. Alternatively, a single-origin espresso with mild acidity can provide a lovely counterpoint to the cigar's inherent sweetness.