El Rey del Mundo – Choix de L’Epoque

Rolled in : Cuba
Wrapper : Cuban
Binder : Cuban
Filler : Cuban
Size: 4 3/8″ x 52

Each year limited edition cigars are produced for specific regions, 2009 saw Hunters and Frankau launch the Choix de L’Epoque (The Choice of the Age). One of the smallest released Limited editions to date for the UK. The Petit Robusto size was chosen I think to reflect the new directions cigars are going in. More people are looking for a short but thick cigar with a short smoke time. I was given this cigar at the AITS Trade Show last October, it has been sat in a humidor since then waiting to be set a light.

I took 3 cigars with me to work yesterday the El Rey, a small Sancho Panza & San Christobal La Punta. With 11 hours of work to choose I ended up with the El Rey, cut and in my mouth as I left work.

The cigar seems nice an springy, the cut revealed an even filling and the pre light draw was easy and the lighting began. The initial taste is of a slight spice over a strong woody toasted base. After the first 2-3 draws the burn sat nice and even producing a good rich smoke. As the first third progressed the slight spice died away revealing a sweet woody medium bodied experience

As the second third came under the fire the cigar unfortunately became a little acrid at the back of my throat, something I usually only find with Dominicans and Honduran cigars, but the ever increasing sweet woody flavours continued to grow with the addition of some fine nutty tones with hints of Chocolate of leather. The final third now here where the cigar really showed it potential, the acidy after tastes subdued being replaced with a distinct leathery edge blending seamlessly with the core of woody nutty flavours, other hints of cocoa and grass came through. I found my self burning my fingers yet again and wishing the cigar was an inch or 2 longer.

Overall I found the richer earthy flavours where a little let down by the lingering acidy after taste I found in the first two thirds of this cigar. Compared to the Choix Supreme the little petit Robusto seems to pack a more complex array of earthy flavours with more body. For a Regional Limited Edition this cigar was a disappointment, not to say it’s a bad cigar but id rather spend the little less money and have a Hoyo petit Robusto.

Ratings

Construction .. 8/10
Burn .. 8/10
Flavour (1/3) .. 7/10
Flavour (2/3) .. 5/10
Flavour (3/3) .. 8/10

Overall .. 7/10