Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 (Tubos)

The Truth About Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 Tubos: More Than Just Pretty Packaging

Look, I’m gonna start by calling out something that bugs the hell out of me. Too many people dismiss tubos cigars as some kind of marketing gimmick – like the aluminum tube is just there to jack up the price and trick newbies. After smoking the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 in tubos for the better part of fifteen years, I can tell you that’s complete nonsense.

The tube isn’t just fancy packaging. It’s protection.

I learned this lesson the hard way back in ’09 during a fishing trip to the Keys with my brother-in-law. Brought along a handful of loose Epicure No.2s in my travel humidor, and by day three in that humid, salty mess, half of them had wrapper issues. Meanwhile, the two tubos I’d thrown in my tackle box? Perfect. That aluminum sleeve kept them pristine while everything else went to hell.

But let’s talk about what really matters here – the smoke itself.

First Impressions: Why I Keep Coming Back

The Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 has this weird thing where it doesn’t look particularly impressive sitting there. It’s a robusto – 4.9 inches by 50 ring gauge – so nothing crazy about the size. The wrapper’s usually a nice medium brown, sometimes with a slight reddish tint if you get lucky with the batch. Nothing that’ll make you stop and stare.

Then you light it up and remember why this vitola has been around since the 1960s.

The cold draw usually gives you hints of what’s coming – bit of hay, maybe some nuts, occasionally a touch of something fruity. I’ve noticed the tubos versions tend to have slightly better draw consistency than the loose ones, probably because they’re not getting banged around as much during transport.

Here’s something interesting: I’ve smoked probably 200+ of these over the years, and I can honestly say I’ve never had a complete dud. Sure, some have been better than others (more on that later), but never one that was completely unsmokable. That’s pretty remarkable consistency for a Cuban cigar, especially considering how the hoyo de monterrey epicure no.2 price has fluctuated over the years.

The Flavor Journey (Or How I Actually Experience This Cigar)

I hate those reviews that break everything down into perfect thirds – “first third this, second third that.” That’s not how I smoke, and it’s sure as hell not how this cigar unfolds.

The Epicure No.2 is more like… layers peeling away gradually.

Right off the bat, you get this creamy, almost buttery sensation. Not overwhelming, just smooth. There’s usually some cedar in there – makes sense given Hoyo’s reputation for wood aging – and often a touch of white pepper that doesn’t bite, just tingles.

About an inch in (maybe less if you’re puffing fast, which you shouldn’t be), things start getting interesting. I consistently pick up almonds, sometimes hazelnuts. My buddy Mike swears he tastes coffee, but honestly, I think he’s just wishful thinking because he smokes these with his morning espresso.

The middle portion – and this is where the Epicure No.2 really shines – develops this honey sweetness that’s not cloying. It’s subtle. Refined. Sometimes there’s a leather note that comes and goes, and occasionally (maybe one in ten cigars) you’ll get this amazing vanilla thing happening.

Temperature matters here more than people realize. If you let it get too hot, you’ll lose all that subtlety and just get harsh tobacco. This isn’t a cigar you can chain-smoke while arguing about sports. It demands patience.

The final inch or so can go one of two ways. Most of the time, it concentrates all those flavors into something richer, more intense, but still balanced. Sometimes (maybe 20% of the time in my experience), it gets a bit bitter and you’re better off setting it down. That’s Cuban tobacco for you – even the best vitolas have personality.

What I Actually Drink With These (And What You Shouldn’t)

Forget what the magazines tell you about pairing cigars. Here’s what actually works for me with the Epicure No.2:

Coffee: Yeah, Mike’s onto something. A good Cuban coffee (I use Bustelo when I can’t get the real stuff) works beautifully with the morning smoke. The bitterness plays against that honey sweetness I mentioned.

Rum: Specifically, I love these with Havana Club 7. The age on the rum complements the cigar without fighting it. Bacardi works too, but it’s not quite as smooth a pairing.

Whiskey: Here’s where I might lose some people – I actually prefer a good Irish whiskey over Scotch with these. Redbreast 12 is phenomenal. The fruit notes in the whiskey bring out similar notes in the tobacco that you might miss otherwise.

What doesn’t work: Beer. I know, I know, everyone loves a beer and cigar, but the Epicure No.2 is too subtle for most beers. They just overpower each other. Also, anything too sweet – port, dessert wines, etc. This cigar has enough natural sweetness that you don’t want to compete.

Storage Reality Check

Those tubes aren’t just for protection during transport – they actually affect aging too. I’ve got tubos from 2015 sitting next to loose Epicure No.2s from the same year, and they’re aging differently.

The tubos seem to age more slowly, which isn’t necessarily bad. The flavors stay more focused, less mellow. The loose ones have developed more complexity but lost some of that signature Hoyo brightness.

If you’re planning to smoke within a year or two, go with tubos. If you want to lay some down for five+ years, I’d actually recommend loose cigars. Just my opinion based on side-by-side comparisons.

Humidity-wise, these seem happiest around 65-67%. Any higher and you risk draw issues. Any lower and that wrapper can get fragile fast.

Who Should Smoke These (And Who Shouldn’t Bother)

The Epicure No.2 isn’t for everyone, despite what some reviewers claim.

Perfect for: Anyone who appreciates subtlety over power. If you love Montecristo No.4s but want something with a bit more character, this is your cigar. Also great for people transitioning from Dominican or Nicaraguan cigars to Cubans – it’s got that Cuban DNA without being overwhelming.

Skip if: You need your cigars to punch you in the face. If you’re a Cohiba Behike or Partagas Series D guy, the Epicure No.2 might leave you wanting. It’s not weak, just… refined. Some people find that boring.

Also, and this might be controversial, I don’t think these are great beginner cigars despite their reputation. They’re too subtle for someone who’s still learning to pick up flavors. Start with something more straightforward, then come back to these when you can appreciate what they’re doing.

The Price Reality

Let’s address the elephant in the room – the hoyo de monterrey epicure no.2 price has gotten pretty steep over the years. When I started smoking these regularly around 2008, you could find them for $15-20 each. Now? We’re looking at $25-35+ depending on where you shop and what the current supply situation looks like.

Are they worth it? Honestly, that depends on your budget and priorities. For special occasions or when I want to guarantee a good smoke without any surprises, absolutely. For everyday smoking… probably not unless you’re doing better financially than I am.

The tubos usually cost $2-5 more than the loose versions, which I think is reasonable given the protection and slower aging characteristics.

Some Insider Stuff You Might Not Know

The Epicure line was actually created specifically for the British market back in the day, which explains some of the flavor profile – it’s designed to pair with afternoon tea culture. Makes sense when you think about it.

Box codes matter more with these than some other vitolas. I’ve had consistently better experiences with certain factories. ETP and BRC codes have been particularly good to me over the years.

Here’s something weird: the tubos versions seem less susceptible to the “young cigar” harshness that sometimes affects fresh Cubans. I’m not sure if it’s the tube environment or selection process, but I’ve smoked tubos straight from current production that were perfectly enjoyable, while loose versions from the same timeframe needed more rest.

Questions People Actually Ask Me

How long do these take to smoke? Usually 60-90 minutes for me, but I smoke slowly. If you’re a fast smoker, plan on 45-60 minutes.

Should I remove the tube band? I leave it on until it starts loosening naturally. No point forcing it and risking wrapper damage.

How do these compare to the Epicure No.1? Completely different animals. The No.1 is brighter, more grassy. The No.2 is rounder, more complex. Both good, but the No.2 is more food-friendly if that matters.

Can you age these in the tubes? Absolutely, but they age differently than loose cigars. Not better or worse, just different.

Final Thoughts

The Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 Tubos isn’t going to change your life or redefine your understanding of Cuban cigars. What it will do is provide a consistently enjoyable smoke with enough character to keep things interesting.

In a world where Cuban quality can be hit-or-miss, that consistency is worth something. Maybe not everyday-cigar money for most of us, but definitely worth having a few tubes around for when you want to guarantee a good time.

Just remember – patience. This isn’t a cigar you rush through while checking your phone. Set aside the time, find something good to drink, and let it unfold at its own pace. That’s when the Epicure No.2 really shows you what it’s about.