Hoyo de Monterrey Du Prince: The Le Hoyo Aristocrat
The Le Hoyo series within Hoyo de Monterrey takes the brand's gentle profile and compresses it into smaller, time-efficient formats. The Du Prince, at 129mm × 40 ring gauge, sits between the smallest and medium offerings of the series — a cigar that delivers a substantial enough smoking experience for a dedicated break while remaining compact enough for practical consumption. The 40-ring gauge provides a touch more breadth than the slimmest Le Hoyo vitolas, offering a slightly rounder delivery of the Hoyo blend while retaining the series' characteristic focus.
The Du Prince is a cigar for the smoker who values the Le Hoyo approach but wants a touch more substance than the slimmest formats provide.
Specifications
Tasting Notes
The Du Prince opens with Hoyo de Monterrey's signature cream and hay, the 40-ring gauge providing slightly more breadth than the slimmer Le Hoyo formats while still concentrating the blend. Cedar follows, dry and gentle, with a subtle sweetness that recalls honey rather than caramel. A floral note sits atop the profile, detectable on retrohale. The smoke is smooth in texture — a hallmark of the brand — and the draw is naturally slightly more open than the 38-ring alternatives in the series. The opening establishes a composed, accessible character.
The second half maintains the Du Prince's gentle trajectory. Cedar gains ground, the cream moderates, and a light white pepper enters in the final third. The finish is moderate in length — longer than the slimmest Le Hoyo formats, reflecting the 129mm length — and clean, carrying hay and dry wood notes. The Du Prince does not build dramatically; it delivers the Hoyo profile with consistency and concludes before the palate tires. This is a cigar that respects both the smoker's time and the brand's character.
Construction
The 40-ring gauge sits in a comfortable range for skilled rollers, requiring precision without the extreme delicacy of the slimmest vitolas. Hoyo de Monterrey's factory produces the Du Prince with consistency. Wrappers are colorado, silky, with fine veins. The cap is neatly applied. Burn performance is sharp, the moderate gauge producing a clean line. Ash is light grey, firm for the format.
Pairing Suggestions
The Du Prince's accessible profile suits a wide range of pairings. A light Scotch — perhaps a lowland or gently aged blend — provides complementary notes. Alternatively, a dry white wine or a sparkling wine offers a pairing that few cigars could accommodate. For non-alcoholic options, a light Earl Grey tea provides bergamot resonance.
Value Proposition
The Du Prince offers a mid-range entry to the Le Hoyo series — more substantial than the smallest formats, more time-efficient than the larger vitolas. No specific pricing is given here, but the format delivers roughly 45 to 60 minutes of quality smoking, positioning it as a versatile choice for those who want Hoyo de Monterrey's character in a manageable duration.
About the Brand
Hoyo de Monterrey was established in 1865 and is celebrated for producing medium and mild Cuban cigars. The brand distributes internationally via Habanos S.A. with tobacco from Vuelta Abajo. More at Wikipedia.
Storage Recommendations
The 40-ring gauge responds reasonably to humidity changes — not as quickly as the slimmest formats, but more rapidly than broader vitolas. Maintain 65–70% RH at 18–20°C. Acclimatise after shipping for at least two weeks. The Le Hoyo series' smaller formats reach equilibrium faster than grand formats, which means both faster settling and faster deviation if conditions fluctuate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Du Prince" mean in the Le Hoyo series?
The name is part of the Le Hoyo line's aristocratic naming convention. Each vitola in the series carries a distinct title, with the Du Prince denoting this specific 129mm × 40 format.
How does the Du Prince compare to the Des Dieux?
The Du Prince is slightly longer (129mm vs 120mm) and slightly broader (40 vs 38 ring gauge). The difference in smoking time is modest, but the Du Prince offers marginally more breadth and a slightly longer experience.
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