Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure number 2 (7 year old)

My fist cigar in a while (saving to buy a house you see). I've had several in my humidor for over 7 years and after doing some research found that aged cigars get some bad press. Apparently 2 to 3 years is about max for ageing time and maintaining taste quality. I hoped I hadn't ruined mine by keeping them so long and not smoking them but thought I'd better give them a go and see how they've turned out for myself. I've stored them in a cedar lined humidor and maintained relatively stable temperatures and kept humidity's between 65 and mid 70s.

Cigar summary

Origin: Cuba

Ring gauge: 50

Length: 4 7/8

Manufactured: Hand made

Maturity: 7 years

Construction: Not bad for 7 years in my humidor

Draw: Perfect

Strength: Bold for the start

Flavour: Rich coffee and pepper - the creaminess is almost gone

Burn: good

Guy's rating (70-100): 90

General comments:

 Off the bat the flavours are full. Mostly coffee and peppery toast. The creaminess that I've tasted before is largely gone. I'd put this as bold from the start. From the research I was expecting the flavours to tone down but I've found the opposite.

The first third introduces some bitterness and full tobacco flavour, the coffee and pepper tone down.

The second third slight creaminess has come back. The full flavours from the start have relaxed and are more balanced. Maybe a hint of sweetness and still earthy. Burn is still fantastic at this point.

 Some pleasant oiliness has developed and the peppery toast is back with some coffee bitterness. I'd still put the cigar as full bodied but smooth enough to enjoy and not harsh. 

The only disappointment I suppose is the loss of creaminess but it appears to have kept good flavour. I'll have to give some fresh Epicure No2s ago to have a better comparison...keep you posted.