Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1

In Cuba, Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1 are generally priced lower than in international markets. Cuban cigars typically range from $8 to $90 USD per cigar, depending on the brand, vitola, and availability. Prestigious names such as Cohiba, Montecristo, and Partagás sit at the higher end. There is no real price advantage to purchasing full boxes, as the per-cigar cost remains the same unless you intend to leave the country with more than 50 cigars, in which case proper documentation is required to avoid confiscation by Cuban authorities.

For online buyers, packaging plays a key role. Boxed Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1 cigars require official documentation and customs review before leaving the country, increasing shipping complexity and cost. That is why Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1 cigars purchased online often cost more than in Cuba, largely due to the required paperwork for shipping. Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1 cigars can also be shipped without boxes while maintaining the same quality, and are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee on delivery, offering a more refined and cost-conscious approach.

Advice: Always request a receipt when purchasing cigars in Cuba “no exceptions”. Without proper documentation, cigars especially boxes will be confiscated by Cuban authorities during inspection on your return flight home.

The most seamless approach is to purchase Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1 directly through us online or at our retail shop in Havana, Cuba. Even if your Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1 cigars were not sourced through us, our team can assist in arranging everything for you while you are in Cuba, ensuring a smooth and discreet experience.

When departing Cuba, airport customs generally allow one box and one bundle without a receipt. While some suggest higher quantities may pass without documentation, a more measured approach is always preferred. Maintaining your receipt is strongly recommended.

For those seeking a more effortless experience, shipping Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1 is often the preferred option—particularly when traveling with larger quantities or without full documentation.

Short answer: No. (Consider purchasing online instead.)
Long answer: Yes… if you understand how the conversation is meant to unfold.

Traveling? Tips for returning to the United States with Cuban cigars.

When arriving in the U.S., the question is rarely just about cigars it’s about how you answer. If asked whether you have anything to declare, the reply is simple and measured “No”, especially when the total value stays within that familiar $800 threshold, a number that, like most things, can change over time. 95% of the time you will have no issues.

If the conversation becomes more direct, the details matter. If you are arriving from Cuba, the answer should still be “No”, because any cigars or liquor will be taken away if you say Yes. If you say No and they inspect your bags, worst case they’ll confiscate your cigars and liquor, and give you a verbal warning. Do not attempt to negotiate or explain, just say “I didn’t know” nothing more. The goal at this point is to leave with a verbal warning.

Saying “Yes” will ALWAYS result in losing your cigars and liquor.

If you are arriving from Spain or anywhere outside of Cuba, then you can answer “Yes” and simply say you have cigars or liquor from Spain or wherever your journey last took you. Do not say Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1, just keep it simple and say cigars.

Avoid all of this and buy from us, or have us ship it to you if you already sourced your cigars in Cuba.

It’s not about avoiding the truth it’s about understanding how it’s told. Like a good cigar, timing and delivery are everything. The goal is to arrive home and enjoy your Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1.

When properly stored, the Epicure No. 1 is a pleasure from foot to cap. The wrapper is typically smooth, light in tone, with a soft sheen. The draw should feel effortless open enough to produce generous, creamy smoke, but controlled enough to keep the burn steady. Because of its length, it rewards a slow cadence. Take your time. Let the ember glow evenly. When treated with respect, it responds in kind. A well-made Hoyo doesn’t fight you. It flows.

Ah… a beautiful question. The Epicure No. 2 may get much of the attention, but the No. 1 she is more refined, more elongated in her expression. With its longer Corona Gorda format, the Epicure No. 1 offers a more gradual evolution of flavor. It stretches the experience. Where the No. 2 feels compact and slightly richer in the middle, the No. 1 breathes more. The transitions are smoother, more subtle. It’s like comparing a short, passionate dance to a slow, lingering waltz under dim Havana lights. If you enjoy watching flavors unfold patiently, the No. 1 speaks your language.

From the first draw, you’re met with creamy cedar, soft hay, and a gentle floral sweetness. As it progresses, subtle notes of toasted almonds and light coffee emerge, followed by a delicate earthiness toward the final third. Nothing jumps out everything flows. The experience is smooth, calm, and reassuring, like returning to a place you know well.

Keep it at 68–72% humidity and around 20°C. Because of its lighter profile, stable conditions are essential to preserve its elegance. A little rest in the humidor does wonders. When you take it out, pause for a moment and inhale the aroma alone tells you you’re in good company.

Very much so and yet it never bores the seasoned smoker. Its mild-to-medium body makes it approachable, forgiving even. But within that gentle strength lies complexity. For a newcomer, it offers comfort and balance. For the experienced smoker, it reveals nuance and craftsmanship. It’s the kind of cigar you could share with a friend discovering Havana for the first time and still find yourself fully engaged beside them.

From the first draw, you’re greeted with creamy cedar and fresh hay that classic Hoyo softness. There’s a gentle nuttiness, almost like toasted almonds, and a faint floral sweetness that dances quietly in the background. As the cigar settles into its rhythm, you’ll notice light earth and warm bread notes like the aroma drifting from a Cuban bakery at sunrise. Midway through, subtle honey and soft leather begin to appear, balanced beautifully by a touch of white pepper that keeps things lively without ever becoming sharp. In the final third, it deepens slightly but remains elegant. The creaminess lingers. The finish is smooth and clean leaving you reflective rather than overwhelmed. It’s a cigar that never shouts… yet you remember every word.

This is an afternoon-to-early-evening cigar for me. Perfect on a shaded terrace with a gentle breeze. Pair it with a lightly aged Cuban rum something smooth, with vanilla and caramel notes or even a refined espresso if you prefer clarity over sweetness. It does not demand heavy spirits. It prefers harmony. It’s about ease. About presence. The Epicure No. 1 is less about spectacle and more about quiet enjoyment the kind that sneaks up on you and leaves you smiling long after the final draw. Juan’s Closing ThoughtThe Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1 is a reminder that elegance often lives in restraint. It doesn’t overpower it persuades. And when you choose to enjoy one, you deserve to receive it exactly as it left Havana: authentic, perfectly humidified, and protected with care. We handle every detail so that it arrives ready whether at your home or your office pristine and waiting for that first deliberate cut. No uncertainty. No compromise. All you must do is sit back, light gently, and let the moment unfold. I promise… it will.

A light aged rum or a smooth cognac pairs beautifully, enhancing its creamy and floral notes. Coffee especially a balanced, medium roast is a natural companion. If you prefer wine, a gentle tawny port or a lightly sweet sherry works well. Keep everything subtle; this cigar thrives in harmony. Closing thought from Juan:The Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1 is a cigar you choose when you want certainty, calm, and elegance in one long, graceful smoke. From Havana to your hands, every detail is handled with care so it arrives pristine and ready. Light it slowly, settle into the moment, and let its quiet refinement remind you why the classics never fade.

This cigar is perfect for smokers who value finesse over power. Its mild-to-medium body makes it approachable for newer smokers, while its nuance rewards experienced palates that appreciate subtle evolution. It’s ideal for afternoon smoking, quiet reflection, or conversation that doesn’t need to rush.

Because it represents the brand exactly as it’s meant to be experienced. The Epicure No. 1 is long, refined, and impeccably consistent. It doesn’t chase strength or drama it offers harmony. This is a cigar built on proportion and restraint, where every leaf knows its place. It’s the kind of cigar that reminds you why Hoyo de Monterrey has endured for generations.