Hoyo de Monterrey Grand Epicure 2013 LE

What Everyone Gets Wrong About the Hoyo de Monterrey Grand Epicure 2013 LE

Here’s the thing that drives me nuts about most reviews of the Grand Epicure – everyone treats it like it’s just another Hoyo. They smoke it expecting that classic mild-to-medium profile, maybe some hay and cedar, and then they’re completely blindsided when this beast delivers something entirely different. I’ve been smoking Cubans for over two decades now, and I can tell you straight up: this Limited Edition is nothing like what you think you know about Hoyo de Monterrey.

When Habanos SA released this monster in 2013, they weren’t playing games. The Grand Epicure (officially a Gran Robusto at 5.6″ x 54) was clearly designed to shut up all the critics who’d been saying Cuban cigars had lost their edge to Nicaraguan powerhouses. And honestly? It worked. This stick easily earned its place among the top 25 cigars 2013 had to offer, though it took most of us a while to figure that out.

I remember getting my first box from a dealer in Switzerland back in late 2014 – yeah, I was late to the party, but that’s what happens when you’re skeptical of Limited Editions (more on that later). The bands looked elegant enough, that classic Hoyo red and gold with the special LE designation, but the cigars themselves were chunky, almost aggressive looking. Nothing like the refined appearance of an Epicure No. 2.

First Light: When Expectations Go Out the Window

The pre-light draw was my first hint this wasn’t going to be a typical Hoyo experience. Instead of that gentle hay and honey sweetness, I got hit with something much more complex – dark chocolate, maybe some leather, definitely some spice lurking in the background. The construction was solid (Cuban quality control was actually pretty decent in 2013), with a nice firm feel and even color.

But that first puff? Holy hell.

Most Hoyos ease you in like a warm bath. The Grand Epicure kicks the door down and introduces itself with authority. The initial blast was full-bodied from the get-go – none of this “starts mild and builds” nonsense. We’re talking immediate pepper, earth, and this rich, almost molasses-like sweetness that I’d never experienced in a Hoyo before.

I actually put the first one down after about twenty minutes because I thought something was wrong. (This was clearly user error on my part, but hey, we live and learn.) It took me three attempts over the course of a month before I realized what Habanos had done here – they’d basically created a completely new blend and just happened to put the Hoyo name on it.

The Flavor Journey: Buckle Up, Buttercup

Forget everything you know about how cigars “develop” through thirds. The Grand Epicure doesn’t follow rules.

Right off the bat, you’re getting leather – not that soft, supple leather from a well-aged Partagás, but more like the inside of a new baseball glove. There’s pepper dancing around your palate, and underneath it all, this weird (but wonderful) combination of dark fruit and bitter chocolate. I kept getting reminded of those expensive Belgian chocolates with cherry centers, if that makes any sense.

Around the two-inch mark, things got interesting. The pepper backed off just enough to let some coffee notes emerge – not your morning Folgers, but more like a really good espresso with brown sugar. And here’s where it gets weird: I started picking up these floral notes. Roses, maybe? I know that sounds crazy for such a full-bodied stick, but I swear it’s there.

The middle portion is where this cigar really shows off. All those initial flavors start playing together instead of competing for attention. The chocolate gets richer, almost fudge-like. The coffee notes turn into more of a mocha situation. And that leather? It transforms into something more refined – maybe an old library chair that’s been well-loved for decades.

The final third is where opinions get divided. Some people find it too intense – the strength definitely ramps up, and you start getting some mineral notes that can be off-putting if you’re not ready for them. But if you stick with it (and you’ve got the nicotine tolerance), there’s this amazing transformation where everything comes together in this symphony of earth, spice, and sweetness that’ll make you understand why Limited Editions exist in the first place.

What to Drink (And What Not to Drink)

This is where I’m gonna get specific because too many reviews just say “pairs well with whiskey” and leave it at that. That’s lazy advice.

For whiskey, you want something with some serious backbone. I’ve had great luck with Redbreast 12 – the pot still character and slight fruitiness complement those cherry notes beautifully. Lagavulin 16 works too, if you’re into the peated stuff, though it can overpower the more subtle floral elements. Avoid anything too smooth or wheated – this cigar will steamroll a Maker’s Mark without breaking a sweat.

Rum’s actually my preferred pairing here. Specifically, I’ve found that a good aged Cuban rum (Havana Club 15 if you can get it, or Santiago de Cuba 12) brings out flavors in the Grand Epicure that you won’t notice otherwise. There’s something about that sugarcane sweetness that makes the chocolate notes pop.

Coffee? Skip it. I know that seems counterintuitive given the coffee flavors in the cigar, but it’s too much. You’ll lose the subtleties.

Beer can work, but you need something malty and strong. I’ve had success with Belgian dubbels – Westmalle Dubbel in particular – but honestly, most beers just get overwhelmed.

Who Should Smoke This (And Who Shouldn’t)

Let me be blunt: this isn’t a beginner’s cigar. If you’re still figuring out the difference between Connecticut and Corojo wrappers, save your money and stick with milder Cubans until you build up your palate and tolerance.

This is for the experienced smoker who’s gotten bored with their usual rotation. If you’ve been smoking Cohibas and Montes for years and you’re looking for something that’ll surprise you, the Grand Epicure delivers. It’s also perfect for those times when you want to prove to your Nicaraguan-loving friends that Cubans can still pack a punch.

Avoid this if you prefer linear cigars that stay consistent from start to finish. The Grand Epicure is all about complexity and change, which some smokers find distracting rather than enjoyable. Also, if you’re sensitive to strength, this will knock you on your ass. I’ve seen grown men turn green trying to power through one of these after a light lunch.

Storage and Aging: What I’ve Learned

Here’s something most people don’t talk about: these cigars are finicky about humidity. I keep mine at 62% RH rather than the usual 65-70% most people recommend for Cubans. Any higher and they get plugged, any lower and they burn too fast. It’s a narrow sweet spot, but worth finding.

As for aging – and this is where I might ruffle some feathers – I think these are smoking beautifully right now, ten years later. Yeah, I know the conventional wisdom is that all cigars get better with age, but I’ve smoked boxes from different years and honestly, the 2018-2019 period was the sweet spot. They’d mellowed just enough to integrate those flavors without losing the power that makes them special.

The boxes I’m smoking now (2024) are still excellent, but some of that explosive character from the first few years has faded. Still world-class cigars, but different. If you’ve got a box tucked away, don’t wait too much longer.

The Controversial Take

Alright, here’s my unpopular opinion: I think Habanos should’ve made this a regular production cigar instead of a Limited Edition. I know, I know – that goes against everything we’re supposed to believe about exclusivity and scarcity. But this blend is too good to have been a one-time thing.

Most Limited Editions are just marketing gimmicks – take a regular blend, put it in a different vitola, charge twice as much, and watch collectors go crazy. The Grand Epicure actually brought something new to the table. It showed that Hoyo de Monterrey could produce full-bodied cigars without losing their identity. Instead, we got 5,000 boxes worldwide and then… nothing. It’s frustrating as hell.

Common Questions People Ask Me

How much should I expect to pay? These days, if you can find them, expect to pay anywhere from $60-100 per stick, depending on condition and provenance. I’ve seen beat-up singles go for $45, and pristine boxes commanding $2,000+. Worth it? Depends on your budget and curiosity level.

Are there fakes floating around? Oh, absolutely. The bands are relatively easy to reproduce, and with prices this high, there’s definitely incentive for counterfeiters. Buy from reputable sources only, and if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

What’s the closest regular production alternative? Honestly, there isn’t one. The regular Epicure line is completely different. If you want something similar, look at Partagás Lusitanias or maybe some of the fuller Bolivars, but you’re not going to find this exact profile anywhere else.

How long should I smoke this? Plan on 90 minutes to two hours. These are substantial cigars and they reward patience. Don’t try to rush through one – you’ll miss half the experience and probably make yourself sick.

Final Thoughts

The Hoyo de Monterrey Grand Epicure 2013 Limited Edition is proof that Cuban cigar makers can still innovate when they put their minds to it. It’s not perfect – that strength might be too much for some people, and the price point puts it out of reach for casual enjoyment. But as a special occasion smoke? As a reminder of what makes Cuban tobacco special? It’s hard to argue against its place among the top cigars that 2013 produced.

If you get the chance to try one, don’t go in expecting a typical Hoyo experience. Think of it more like meeting a completely new marca for the first time. And maybe have a good meal beforehand – trust me on that one.

Would I buy another box at current prices? Probably not, if I’m being honest. But am I glad I experienced this cigar? Absolutely. Sometimes that’s enough.