Abril-Mayo batch

Greg aka Mozart working the HdM Epicure#1 

Thanks to Matt and Naomi's good smuggling, we now have some new cigars, which will trickle out over the next few batches...

Hoyo de Monterrey - Le Hoyo du Maire: alas the '99s are long gone, but i managed to find a May '11 box with some good tobacco, i am just trying one now and it has an intriguing mix of zingy, slightly sour, cedar and a mushroomy meatiness, sprinkled with coffee grinds, also plenty of tannin like a young cab sav. Not really much of the sweetness of the '99 box. Very interesting and enjoyable too. Often cigars are a bit muddled after travelling outside humidors for a while, can take at least a few weeks to settle, this could be the case... but who knows. Good stuff.

San Cristobal El Principe: from our stellar Jun '10 box - suits lighter sweeter drinks. Loved it with port and chocolate cake.

Bolivar Petit Corona: also very young - Feb'11 - lacked a bit of oomph last time out let's see how they're doing now. A good whisky cigar.

Hoyo de Monterrey - Epicure no.1:  '09 box. Greg smoked one for us at my bday party, was very happy with it, i had a quick puff and it had finally lost all of the closed off flavourlessness of its youth. Port or light speyside type whisky?

Nub 464 - This is a great drinking cigar, in fact was one of my picks from our club trip down south, simply because it has a nice smooth taste, lasts forever, maybe not that interesting on its own, but with as Joel can vouch, with penalty bourbons during a game of texas hold'em it really comes into its own. Enhances rather than clashes with strong liquor.

Rafael Gonzalez - Corona Extra: The new kid on the block. I have never tried an RG but its from a box that looks and smells superb, '09 so should be well into its stride by now (hopefully). Someone has to review this one!