James Suckling

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A Petit Robusto Takes Me Home for the Night

Posted: 11:11 AM ET, March 23, 2007

I smoked a Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto the other night while finishing a bottle of 2000 Lafite with a buddy in the fashion business who lives near me in Tuscany. Is it my imagination or is the PR stronger than the Hoyo Epicure No. 2?

I would have thought that the PR would be milder, like the Epi No. 2. But it seemed very strong for this cigar. I think a lot of Cuban cigars are stronger these days as factories use better-aged ligero, or stronger tobacco in their blends.

These “abridged version” or “Cliff notes” smokes seem to be concentrated versions of the original. The Hoyo PR is certainly richer and stronger than the Hoyo Epi No. 2 and the Montecristo Petit Edmundo is equally stronger than the normal Edmundo. I wonder if the Cubans do this intentionally when they create the blends for these cigars?

Anyway, it was a hell of a smoke. And it was better than the Lafite 2000. I scored this wine 100-points in blind tastings for CA’s sister publication, the Wine Spectator. It was not 100 points the other night though. It was so tight and closed. It wasn’t giving much of anything. It was a real bitch of a wine…

I don’t think it was a perfect bottle. May be the cork was a little off? Or the wine had not been stored properly? I have had the Lafite 2000 many times and it’s a perfect young thing. So don’t worry if you have some.

Nonetheless, Hoyo Petit Robusto stole my heart that night with my Italian friend. I only wish it had been longer…

(5 comments on this post) Submit your comments >

Reader Comments

User Name: Robert Smith Posted: 11:12 AM ET, March 27, 2007

I agree with you 100%, I bought a few 15 count boxes of HDM Petite Robustos w/ a code of CUE OCT 04. These must have been one of the 1st batches and is certainly some of the best cigars I've had. In my opinion they're better than the Epi 1 and 2's as well as the double corona I've had lately. The flavors certainly seem mote concentrated. Also looking though the ratings in Cigar Insider it seems like that cigar gets higher ratings across the board.

User Name: James Suckling Posted: 12:51 PM ET, March 27, 2007

Man. I could use one now! I just tasted 50 barrel samples of 2006 Bordeaux. Glad we are on the same page with the Petit Robusto!

User Name: Thomas Hurley Posted: 08:38 PM ET, March 27, 2007

Mr. Suckling- 1. Love your work in both magazines. 2. What non-Cubans would you recommend? 3. What affordable Italian reds would you recommend? Thanks for everything and keep up the great work. Tom Hurley

User Name: Alexander Wong, Hong Kong Posted: 03:26 PM ET, March 31, 2007

Hi James! Finally, a blog for cigar aficionado. Great work. I cannot agree with you more about the petit robusto. This and the petit edmundo are my favourite recent production cigars. Gives me so much pleasure. On a side note. I was just in Asturias in Spain and had lunch in a small local restaurant. After lunch I asked to see what cigars they offered and was so surprised to see they had a selection of over 40 different cuban cigars....from hoyo petit robustos to Roman Allones S.S to Trinidad robusto extras..needless to say I had a great afternoon!

User Name: dean freeman Posted: 12:55 AM ET, April 10, 2007

For Robert Smith, Being new to cigars...just how big of a humidor does one have to store 15 boxes? Dean

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