Hoyo de Monterrey are one of the biggest names in Cuban Cigars. Established over 150 years ago and classified as one of the 6 Global Brands by Habanos SA, they have one of the most recognisable bands and varied ranges of vitolas of any Cuban brand. The light body of their blend make them the perfect introductory cigar for a newcomer but still offers enough, especially in larger formats like the Hoyo de San Juan, to satisfy the palette of the seasoned smoker. 2004 saw the addition to their large portfolio of the Petit Robusto, a slightly smaller version of their iconic Epicure No. 2.
The vitola used is the same 50 ring gauge as the Epicure No. 2 by a shorter 4 inches – exactly the same size as the Romeo y Julieta Petit Churchill. It will offer 30-35 minutes of smoking pleasure. My personal preference is usually to enjoy a Hoyo around lunch, but this cigar will delight the smoker whatever time of day they choose to light up.
The Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto is a versatile cigar.
Construction: 9/10
- The wrapper was very finely grained, and a beautifully light colorado-claro shade. An even fill, no blemishes – a very appetizing look.
Draw: 10/10
- Immediately this cigar gave an excellent draw, which continued to the very end. No effort was required to extract mouthfuls of flavourful smoke.
Combustion: 10/10
- Again, perfect from the outset. A gentle smoulder, even and without assistance, for the entire duration of the cigar.
Dark grey ash clings to the end of the Petit Robusto.
Ash: 3/5
- The ash held well to the cigar, with only a touch of flaking. The colour was fairly grey, as opposed to pure white, but this was of no impairment to my enjoyment.
Smoke: 5/5
- Plentiful, aromatic and thick. Impressive clouds generated by every draw, slender ribbons flowing from both ends when the cigar was at rest.
Flavour: 22/25
- Mild and gentle, but impressive nevertheless. The flavours of this cigar were the perfectly suited to the sunny afternoon on which it was enjoyed.
Overall: 31/35
- This is an excellent choice for a regular smoke – generous size without taking too much time, plenty of flavour without being overly powerful and an excellent price point.
A half hour is well spent with the Petit Robusto
Final Score: 90/100
- This is a cigar I have smoked many times, and which has never let me down. At the outset my palette detects sweetness and a touch of citrus, underset with a gentle tone of freshly mown grass. As the cigar progressed this sweetness dissipated and was replaced by warm cedar, leather and the gentlest hint of cinnamon. Hoyo de Monterrey are known for their light body and, while this cigar did intensify towards the final third, it never progressed beyond what I would consider exactly that. Finishing flavour note was stronger cedar – an excellent end to a great cigar.