Hoyo de Monterrey is the elegant, lighter side of Cuban cigars. The name comes from a tobacco farm in the heart of the Vuelta Abajo, and the house has long been known for delicate, aromatic smoke. This profile covers its history, its main lines and sizes, its style, and its place in Malaysia.
The Cuban Hoyo and the Honduran Hoyo
There are two brands with this name. The original is Cuban, owned by the Cuban state and sold worldwide by Habanos S.A.
The second began after the revolution. Fernando Palicio, the brand’s last private owner, left Cuba and sold his rights outside the island to Villazon & Co. That company built a new Hoyo for the American market, made with Honduran tobacco. In 1997 General Cigar bought Villazon, and it still makes that Honduran line today. This page covers the Cuban Hoyo, though we name the other where it matters.
History of Hoyo de Monterrey
José Gener y Batet came to Cuba from Catalonia as a boy and worked on his uncle’s tobacco farm. Later, he set up his own farm and factory. According to Habanos, an inscription at the plantation gate dates the farm to 1860. Gener then registered the brand in 1865.
The word hoyo means a hollow, and the farm sits in such a dip near San Juan y Martínez. The brand sold especially well in Britain. After Gener died in 1900, his daughter took over. Then, in 1931, the family sold it to Fernández, Palicio y Cía, the firm that also owned Punch.
Where and how it is made
All long-filler Hoyos are made totally by hand. The leaf comes from the Vuelta Abajo in Pinar del Río, the same zone as the original farm. Since 1931, Hoyo has shared a factory with Punch. Habanos says both brands are still produced at the La Corona factory in Havana.
Notable lines and sizes
The range falls into a few families. The Epicure line holds the brand’s robustos and corona gordas. Meanwhile, the Le Hoyo series covers slimmer cigars and, more recently, thick ones such as Le Hoyo de San Juan (2014) and Le Hoyo de Rio Seco (2018). The Double Coronas remain the brand’s iconic large cigar.
| Cigar | Length × ring gauge | Shape |
|---|---|---|
| Epicure No. 2 | 124 mm × 50 | Robusto |
| Epicure No. 1 | 143 mm × 46 | Corona gorda |
| Petit Robustos | 102 mm × 50 | Short robusto |
| Double Coronas | 194 mm × 49 | Double corona |
| Le Hoyo de Rio Seco | 140 mm × 56 | Gordo |
| Le Hoyo du Gourmet | 170 mm × 33 | Slim panetela |
For a closer look at the flagship robusto, read our Epicure No. 2 review. Our cigar sizes guide explains the ring gauge numbers.
House style and flavour
In general terms, Hoyo is the gentle end of the Habanos range. Habanos rates it light and describes it as delicate and aromatic, with “great elegance and complexity”. Smokers commonly describe cedar, cream, floral notes, light coffee and a soft sweetness.
As a result, it often suits daytime smoking, lighter food and drinks such as coffee or tea. It can also suit someone moving from mild non-Cuban cigars to Habanos. Still, light is relative; it is not a weak cigar.
Strengths and criticisms
Supporters value its finesse. A well-kept Hoyo shows layers that stronger brands can hide, and the Double Coronas have a strong following.
By contrast, critics say young Hoyos can taste bland or papery. Some smokers find the lighter style fades if the cigar is stored too wet. Like most large Cuban brands, it also draws complaints about box-to-box variation.
Hoyo de Monterrey in Malaysia
In Malaysia, the Hoyo you will meet is normally the Cuban one. Habanos cigars come in through The Pacific Cigar Company, the official distributor for the Asia-Pacific region. Genuine boxes carry the Habanos warranty seal; see our guide to counterfeit cigars.
Light cigars are also sensitive to storage. Malaysia’s 70–90% outdoor humidity can make them soft and dull, so our guide on how to store cigars is worth reading. Act 852 restricts tobacco advertising and bans online sales, as our page on Act 852 and cigar law explains. Finally, mild does not mean safe; read our page on cigar health risks.
Where to read more
- Cuban cigars: the pillar guide to Habanos
- Punch: Hoyo’s long-time factory partner
- Cigars for beginners: choosing a gentler first cigar
- Cigar brands: every profile in our directory
Frequently asked questions
Is Hoyo de Monterrey a mild cigar?
By Cuban standards, yes. Habanos rates the brand light in strength, so it is gentler than Partagás or Bolívar. That said, any premium cigar contains nicotine and can feel strong to a newcomer.
What does Hoyo de Monterrey mean?
Hoyo means a hollow or dip in the land. The brand is named after the Hoyo de Monterrey farm in San Juan y Martínez, in the Vuelta Abajo, where José Gener grew tobacco.
Is the Honduran Hoyo the same as the Cuban one?
No. The Honduran version comes from the US-market line that Villazon & Co. developed after the revolution. General Cigar now owns it. It uses Central American tobacco and has its own blends.
Which Hoyo should I read about first?
The Epicure No. 2 is the brand’s best-known robusto. Our Epicure No. 2 review covers its construction and typical profile.
