Hoyo de Monterrey

Rojo

In search of something steeped in tradition but crafted for the modern palate? The Hoyo de Monterrey Rojo may be for you. General Cigar Co. has done a phenomenal job of bringing attention to the Hoyo de Monterrey brand, which began nearly two centuries ago and was revived in Honduras following the Cuban embargo. The story of this brand is incredible, having brought the world forbidden Cuban flavor via seeds smuggled out of the country in the pouch of a diplomat. Remaining true to the Cuban tradition has allowed Hoyo to keep a stronghold in the market despite the rise of boutique brands offering flashier artwork and other gimmicky tactics to attract a customer base. However, when a company like Hoyo begins to search for modern tastes with the backing of such experience and tradition, magic begins to happen. Take, for example, the Rojo’s sister release called the Oscuro. The all-black color scheme on the Oscuro is a warning for those about to smoke that they’re about to experience something wildly off the beaten path. That’s thanks to a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper, which is incredibly rare and used more frequently as a binder for other premium cigars. Meanwhile, the Rojo which is available in a 4.5 x 50 Rothschild, a 6 x 52 Toro and a massive 6x60 Gigante has a combination of Honduran wrapper from the Jamastran Valley, binder from Nicaragua and filler from Nicaragua, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. The smoke is produced at the Honduran American Tobacco S.A. factory and was released to an excited public in the summer of 2024. The immediate thought that comes to mind when smoking one of these is how incredibly complex the flavors are without soaring to a pretentious price point. The artwork for this set is beautiful but doesn’t take itself too seriously. At its core, this is a traditional Hoyo release with the same logo we have come to appreciate for a long time. Ed Lahmann, the company’s senior brand manager said in a press release announcing its arrival: “The launch of these blends represents more than just new cigars. They are about honoring the brand’s deep-seated foundation in Honduras. As one of the first Cuban ex-pat brands available in the US, Hoyo de Monterrey laid the foundation for Honduran cigarmaking nearly 60 years ago and has become a living legend in the world of premium cigars. With the launch of ‘Rojo’ and ‘Oscuro,’ the brand’s journey is reflected in its commitment to balancing traditional Honduran craftsmanship against the handmade cigar category’s ever-changing tides.”The tasting profile from this cigar is delicious. According to the company’s own esteemed blendmasters, smokers can expect a combination of toasted marshmallow, molasses, a rich tobacco flavor and notes of Saigon cinnamon. The Vietnamese varietal of this cinnamon is a far more concentrated and spicy version of the Americanized spice we’re used to. Pairing suggestions for this cigar, then, are various tequilas and tequila-based cocktails, porter beers and espressos for the coffee lovers who enjoy a smoke first thing in the morning. The Oscuro on the other hand is best enjoyed with a darker stout, a sweet, aged rum or a traditional cup of roasted coffee. Considering the price point for this cigar, this is an obvious choice for both the aficionado looking for quality and tradition in their everyday smoke and the newcomer to the hobby, who may be searching for a budget-conscious way to start exploring cigarmaking’s origins in Cuba while also sampling the modern tastes that are shaping the cigar world at large. Shop JR Cigar today for an entire line of Hoyo de Monterrey classics as well as the complete line of the new Rojo and Oscuro smokes. Grab them both and proudly display the intricate box artwork and enjoy the premium aromatics that waft from the perfectly aged and expertly harvested wrapper. As always, you’ll enjoy industry leading prices and customer service throughout the proces