Cigar of Celebration ~ Hoyo De Monterrey Hoyo de Tradicion

Crafted: Honduras
Length: 5.5
Ring: 50
Shape: Epicure
Strength: Medium to Full
Wrapper Color: Dark Brown
Wrapper Type: Viso-Rosado
Binder: Habano CT
Filler: Dominican, Honduran & Nicaraguan Blend
Date: June 28, 2009
Purchased: Cigar Depot in Douglasville, GA
Place: Man Tower (aka Theological Quantum of Solace)
Cut: Credo 2 Blades Cutter
Lighter: Strike on Box Match
Accompanying Beverage: Diet Coke
Accompanying Music: A Cranberries, Oasis, Marcy Playground, and Ben Folds Five compilation on my Zune

Cause for Celebration ~
This cigar was smoked in celebration of a long worked for accomplishment and to the glory of God. Today our church voted to issue a call to a new Pastor.

I have been serving on the Pulpit Nominating Committee for about 14 months as we searched for the right man to recommend to our church.

Our five person committee worked through about 50 candidates, travelled out of state twice, flew one candidate in from Pennsylvania, and spent countless hours pouring over resumes, in interviews, deliberations, and prayer. The candidate that we finally (and unanimously) recommended suffered through about 12 hours of grinding interviews. I say grinding because he was grilled by me personally to the point that it was not unlike his ordination trials in the OPC.

To make a long story short the members of our congregation that were present voted 43 yes, 0 no, with 2 abstaining. This vote outcome exceeded my expectations of success.

I thank God for the guidance and direction that He gave our committee and the gift that he is giving our church in our new Pastor. He closed the doors that needed closed and opened the ones that needed opened.

About the Celebratory Smoke ~

The Pre-Smoke
I have smoked a number of these cigars in recent months. They have all been smooth, with a small number of large veins. There have been a number with a particularly dark spot somewhere on the wrapper, and most had an uneven cap. I would describe the look as “rustic”. The unlit wrapper tastes mildly sweet.

The Burn
In normal Hoyo fashion the cigar generally has an even burn that requires only nominal help from my strike on box matches. The draw is always excellent. This cigar has a slow cool burn which adds to the ability to distinguish the various flavors.

The Flavor
The cigar begins briefly with an almost spicy cocoa flavor. This moves out quickly in favor of a fruity flavor that is mildly sweet.

About half way through the second third the fruity flavor begins to fade into the flavor of caramel and graham crackers then to a leathery earthiness toward the final transition.

The final third continued with a spicier leather flavor with hints of black coffee. Great finish!

Final Review
This was the perfect celebratory cigar. It provided for 45 minutes of pleasure amidst a restful mood of accomplishment.