Hoyo de Monterrey is a cigar brand that dates to 1865, when José Gener registered it in Cuba. The non-Cuban version sold in the US was first made by Villazon & Co. in 1965 and has been owned since 1996 by General Cigar Company, part of Scandinavian Tobacco Group, with its Honduran lines rolled at the HATSA factory in Danlí, Honduras. Strength runs from the core Excalibur, lighter than the medium-bodied Excalibur Black, to the bolder original Hoyo La Amistad and La Amistad Black, both rolled at A.J. Fernandez’s factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. A good first pick here is Hoyo La Amistad Black, a medium-to-full cigar with an Ecuadorian Sumatra Oscuro wrapper, a Mexican San Andrés binder and Nicaraguan Habano filler; General Cigar describes typical notes of cinnamon, leather and hot sauce. As the boldest La Amistad blend, it suits smokers who enjoy fuller, spicier cigars.
Hoyo de Monterrey Cigars
Hoyo de Monterrey was registered in Cuba in 1865 by Spanish immigrant Don José Gener y Batet and named after his tobacco farm in Vuelta Abajo; the name translates as “the hole of Monterrey,” a reference to the concave terrain favoured by tobacco growers. The non-Cuban version, first made for the U.S. market by Villazon & Co. in 1965, later produced in Honduras, and owned since 1996 by General Cigar Company (part of Scandinavian Tobacco Group), spans a wide portfolio including the flagship Hoyo de Monterrey core line, the classic Excalibur series, the Hoyo de Tradición, and the Hoyo La Amistad lines rolled at A.J. Fernandez’s factory in Nicaragua. Across these lines, strength runs from the lighter core Excalibur to fuller blends such as the original Hoyo La Amistad.
Hoyo De Monterrey Cigars
Frequently asked questions about Hoyo De Monterrey Cigars
Who makes Hoyo de Monterrey cigars, and where?
Hoyo de Monterrey was registered in Cuba in 1865 by José Gener. The non-Cuban version is owned by General Cigar Company, part of Scandinavian Tobacco Group: Villazon & Co. began making it for the US market in 1965, and General Cigar acquired it in 1996. Honduran lines such as Hoyo Rojo, Hoyo Oscuro and Excalibur Black are made at the HATSA factory in Danlí, Honduras, while the Hoyo La Amistad lines are rolled at A.J. Fernandez's factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. The original La Amistad (now La Amistad Gold) and La Amistad Black are his own blends, while La Amistad Dark Sumatra keeps the blend HATSA long used for that brand. Cuban-made Hoyo de Monterrey is a separate product.
Are Hoyo de Monterrey cigars strong?
It depends on the line. Cigar Aficionado reports that Hoyo Rojo and Excalibur Black are billed as medium-bodied, that Excalibur Black is stronger than the core Excalibur blend, and that Hoyo Oscuro is a bit stronger than Rojo. Cigar Aficionado called the first Hoyo La Amistad (2016) perhaps the most full-bodied Hoyo de Monterrey yet, and General Cigar calls La Amistad Black the boldest in the La Amistad line; our listing tags it medium to full bodied. Choose by the individual blend rather than the brand name.
Which Hoyo de Monterrey cigar should I try first?
From our current selection, start with Hoyo La Amistad Black. It pairs an Ecuadorian Sumatra Oscuro wrapper with a Mexican San Andrés binder and Nicaraguan Habano filler, and General Cigar describes typical notes of cinnamon, leather and hot sauce. Because it is the boldest La Amistad blend, it suits smokers who already enjoy fuller, spicier cigars.
Where can I buy Hoyo de Monterrey cigars online?
Oxford Cigar Company carries a selection of Hoyo de Monterrey on its Hoyo de Monterrey category page: https://oxfordcigarcompany.com/hoyo-de-monterrey-cigars/. Free US shipping on orders $50+.