The Hoyo de Monterrey Palmas Extra is one of the few Cuban cigars with a 40 ring gauge, its vitola de galera is called Cremas. Before 2002 it was a machine-made product. It has been on the market since the pre-revolution era and it comes in twenty-five count boxes.
The cigar is rolled in a bright Colorado wrapper, marbled with darker tones. It is quite smooth to the touch, although the veins are quite evident. The filling and the draw are good. Overall good construction.
- Country of Origin: Cuba
- Size: 40 x 140 mm (5.50″)
- Wrapper: Cuba
- Binder: Cuba
- Filler: Cuba
- Price: $ – | € 5
Hoyo de Monterrey Palmas Extra: the cold draw reveals well-defined aromas of wood and dry vegetal note, enriched by spicy nuances.
The opening is balanced between. Aromas of wood and spices develop, both of good intensity, and a subtle and fleeting hint of cocoa comes through as well. Strength is medium – light (2/5).
In the central section, the initial sweetness fades away. The aromas become more robust, with notes of earth, walnut and spices, the latter more defined than in the previous thrid. A sensation of astringency is added to all this as well, which can be mitigated with a few sips of water. Strength remains unchanged (2/5).
In the last third, in addition to the sapidity, an increasingly marked bitterness emerges. Flavor-wise, there is nothing changing compared to the central part of the smoke. Only a balsamic nuance is added. Strength becomes medium (3/5).
In conclusion, the Hoyo de Monterrey Palmas Extra is a convincing smoke, even if the evolution is not extensive. The balance between flavors and strength is congruous. However, the astringency of the central section and the bitterness of the last minutes change the pace in an appreciable way.