Hoyo de Monterrey Coronation Tubo

Origin : Cuba
Format : Petit Corona (Mareva)
Size : 129 x 16.67 mm
Ring : 42
Weight : 8.46 g
Hand-Made
Price : ~$130 for a box of 25
More info about purchasing Hoyo de Monterrey cigars...

I acquired a couple of these tubos in a B&M cigar shop in Geneva, Switzerland. I can’t really explain the reason behind this purchase as there were more attractive cigars on the shelves... I probably thought that I might finally be able to find a Cuban tubo that I’ll like. I think that I’ll have to keep looking.

Appearance :
The Coronation wouldn’t win any beauty prizes, that’s for sure. With its rather rustic-looking wrapper with noticeable imperfections, it’s not the prettiest Habanos creation. The pre-light smell is plain tobacco and the pre-draw, tighter than I would have liked, is earthy.

 
Construction :
I already mentioned the tight draw that I observed on both specimens I had. I also noticed that the burn was way too slow, which is not good news if you prefer smoking slowly – you might have to relight your cigar a couple of times. You should also note that the construction seems to be very irregular as I’ve read other reviews complaining about the abundance of smoke (in my case, the amount of smoke was just satisfying) and the overly fast burn.

Flavor :
First of all, the Coronation does not pretend to be a complex smoke. I suspect that my cigars were from 07-08 as they turned out to be quite strong in the beginning, with a powerful earthy flavor and an insignificant amount of spice in the background. The cigar follows its logical progression with the flavors increasing in power. Simultaneously, leather notes are introduced into the bouquet. Unfortunately, the last third was short of overwhelming and as I struggled to keep the cigar lit, the smoke became harsh, leaving an unpleasant aftertaste.

Value :
Positioned as a value cigar, it doesn’t have the most important quality all budget sticks must boast – the consistency. If I had to choose a cheaper everyday cigar, I’d go with a Partagas Mille Fleurs instead, for example.

Overall Rating :
The Coronation is not the most interesting offering in the Hoyo de Monterrey line. Unfortunately, once again, I didn’t care for a Cuban tubo… Perhaps 3-4 years of aging will make this harshness disappear – unless I’m sure of that and of the fact that the construction is reliable, I’d avoid buying a box.