The only details Agent 15 (AKA The Boss) gave me regarding this mission was that I was looking for the Hoyo de Monterrey Dark Sumatra. So I took a secret agent flight to Sumatra in western Indonesia and started looking for all things dark. My agent phone rang about 2 hours into this job and he informed me I am something less than intelligent and to get back to the States… or “you’ll lose your ‘awesome badge’.” I worked too hard to get that badge so I returned home empty-handed, and itchy (they make cream for that). Ironically, the target had been in my hometown the whole time. Sorry boss.

Name: Hoyo de Monterrey Dark Sumatra

Size: 5.7″ x 54

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra

Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf

Filler: Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua

Strength: Elmo with a hand grenade. (Full)

Construction:

This cigar has a very nice presentation. It’s dark and oily. The cedar sleeve with extra band showing off its Dark Sumatra prowess compliments the already attractive band. It’s like gold plating a .45 magnum and having your initials engraved on the barrel. Okay, maybe not THAT badass, but whatever. There are a few veins running the length, but it probably won’t affect the burn. Firm. Rolled well. Nice draw!

Flavors:

Chicken. Beer. Yogurt. Wait….. what? Wrong mission…sorry about that. Wow, very leathery, woodsy. A rather complex smoke. This reminds me of the Ecuadorian wrapper on that Puros Indios I smoked last week. Same characteristics except this cigar shows off even more complex, deep, earthy flavors. Great cigar to have with some stout beer. Speaking of beer, I plan on reviewing some of the beer I pair with cigars. Just so you know.

Smoke:

Plenty of smoke with this target. Smoke ring friendly. Typical bluish/white resting smoke.

Outcome:

I don’t itch anymore. And also this cigar is fantastic for the price point (~$4.75). Perhaps this will remain a staple in my humidor for some time to come. Please, keep your eyes out for this target, it’s worth the acquisition!

Agent Tip #11: When in a strange land, never sit down on a wet bench…you’ll be squirming all the way home. Also, don’t scratch. It just makes it worse.