Cigars.ie

Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Dauphin

I have recently taken a liking for thinner ring gauge cigars, after smoking some delicious panetelas,lonsdales and coronas. These sizes are no longer considered “favourite” sizes, with Habanos axing them every year to make space for the current fashion, that dictates cigars should have a ring gauge larger than 50. We are being fed with these new releases every year, that we seem to forget how nice a 36/40 ring gauge cigar can be. Many of these new releases are exceptional, like the new Behike range, with the largest cigar having a girth of 56, but they don’t have the finesse and elegance of a panetela…

Resting in my humidor, I found a Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Dauphin. Apart from being the cigar with the longest name, you have to be French in order to pronounce it right! A fellow BOTL gifted this to me in one of our herfs and recommended that I give it a try. I haven’t really been paying much attention to the Le Hoyo range before, until I smoked a beautiful Hoyo du Roi. So I took this baby out to blaze it. The Le Hoyo series was released before the 1960’s and it was consisted of seven vitolas, Five of these are still in production, with the Hoyo du Dauphin having been discontinued in 2003. It is a Laguito No.2, a size also known as a panetela, with a characteristic pigtal and measures 6″ in length with 38 ring gauge. While still in production, it was available in cabinets of 25 and 50, without bearing any bands. I am not sure about the age of my cigar, but I would assume its from around ‘01/’02.

Appearance & Construction 12/15

Some Hoyos made around the 00’s have been suffering with poor construction issues, but this is not the case with this stick. The cigar is well made and has a smooth wrapper which has the traditional Le Hoyo series shade of tan with some green spots. There are some minor veins along the wrapper and the pigtail cap is well applied. The bunch is hard, almost solid, throughout the length, which makes me worrying that it might have some burn issues. Mild aromas of grass are present on the wrapper and the foot, and the prelight draw is tight.

Draw & Burn 22/25

The Hoyo du Dauphin lights up easily. The draw is good to tight and the cigar delivers plenty amount of smoke. It burns exceptionally well from start to finish, without the need of relighting at any point. The ash is light grey in colour, with a solid texture, and falls off every half an inch. The coal is flat, but that does not affect the overall burn.

Flavour & Body 22/25

On the first draw the cigar delivers a kick of dry white wood. It seems muted in the first third, with the wood taking over, and although more flavours seem to be there, they cannot be identified. Smoking towards the second the wood easies down, allowing more flavours to surface. Citrus, salted almonds, dry grass and cream are also there, with the dry, white wood is always in command. The finish is long, sweet and salty and the body has progressed to medium. The balance is good but the flavours lack in depth. On the final third the cigar changes again, with the flavours found before almost disappearing. A strong meaty flavour appears, taking over from the wood, and is followed bycinammon, black pepper, peat and ginger. The body gets fuller in the second third, without making the cigar harsh. It does however get very hot in the last inch.

Overall 33/35

The Hoyo du Dauphin is another example of how underrated the Le Hoyo series is. Most of the cigars of the range, when they were young they did not have much to offer. But now, a decade later, they seem to be in their prime. Try any of the Hoyo du Roi, des Dieux, du Prince or the du Dauphin, from the late 90’s or early 00’s and you will see how much they have progressed. Although I haven’t smoked a young du Dauphin, I am sure it has followed the same path. If you are looking for great strength and character, you will not get them in this cigar. If you are looking for a medium bodied cigar with complex pleasant and interesting flavours that develop from start to finish then you wont be dissapointed. Word of advice; this cigar has to be smoked slowly, especially in the last third. The thin ring gauce makes it heating up easily and especially in the last inch, smoking quickly will get your lips burnt!

Total 89/100