Hoyo de Monterrey ‘Le Hoyo des Dieux’ (2011)/Suntory Whisky Hibiki ‘Japanese Harmony’ ‘Masters Select’ Whisky

For Kenfessions this time, it was a dip into the bag of mixed singles. Was not looking for anything too extreme, too large. Just a pleasant evening smoke. In the end, we exceeded that in spades! 

So, a des Dieux was perfect – the Hoyo de Monterrey ‘Le Hoyo des Dieux’. From 2011. I think I have a few older boxes (00, 03, 08? although a little inner voice is saying, no, you’ve smoked the lot – hope not and need to check. An even smaller voice says I had a cabinet of these from ?, in the days of unbanded cigars, but I note that cabs of these were discontinued in 06?? That would be a pleasant find). 

I’m sure that the des Dieux is well known to most – if unfamiliar to you, change that asap. I can’t recall ever hearing anyone claim to be unhappy with these – a real achievement for a smoke that is not trying to resemble a baseball bat. And they are definitely smokes which benefit from at least five years, but even more so, a good decade. 

This one was in good condition with a lovely dark oily wrapper. But wait, before kicking off, I was tossing up what to match with it. Went for a Japanese whisky. 

The cigar started brilliantly. From the first puff, immediate cream. As we moved further, spices, a touch of pepper and some cocoa powder, good complexity, a hint of chocolate but minimal at this stage. As we progressed further into it, there was a sweet core and then oodles of cream and chocolate. There is some of the Hoyo woodiness, but it does not intrude. And the further we went, the darker the chocolate. Finally, some coffee bean came in near the end. There was balance throughout and great length of flavour. If a negative note of any kind, it was only that it really seemed surprisingly young. Seven or eight years has done wonders but it has further to go to reach its peak. Such a joy. For me, 95-96. Just loved it.

KBG