Hoya De Monterrey Le Hoyo de Dauphin ('01)

I received this stick a while back after a trade or box split of some sort, can't exactly remember but thank you whoever sent it!  I've been itching for some mild Cuban flavor lately and figured this should do the trick.  Despite the 'issues' with '99-'01 CCs, I expecting this to be a good smoke, but we shall see!

Cut with my Xikar while sitting on the front porch, drinking water and some bourbon.  Lit with matches.

Pre-Light - Very light caramel wrapper, a nice tug on the draw with minimal cold draw flavors.

First Third -Initial flavors are very mild, with a floral/vegetal notes and a bit of cedar that hits the back of your throat.  Definitive Cuban flavors, though quite mild even for a HDM.  The draw has a typical CC tug, and construction seems solid thus far.  I immediately realized that the bourbon was much to strong for this stick on its own, and resolved to drink some water after each sip.  This is definitely a morning coffee habano.

Second Third - Similar flavors to the first third, with a more grassy flavor now.  The construction is still solid, though the ash doesn't last too long, maybe a half inch before it becomes brittle.

 
Third Third - Can't say there is much more going on here.  As the smoke comes to the end, the flavors are mainly the grassy and 'garden' notes from the first and second thirds, as the cedar has all but dropped out.  Construction continues to be spot on.

Conclusion and Score - This would be a great relaxing smoke with some coffee, sitting on the porch in the morning.  Not to say it was too mild, but this was definitely very light in both body and flavor, earning an 84 from me.  I wouldn't hesitate to smoke this stick again, but it was much too light for me to make regular visits.  Basically a perfect 'background' smoke if you know what I mean.