This past week I was on business in the Detroit area and as usual I always find a moment to stop in and see my friends at Don Yeyo Cigars in Dearborn, MI. As usual, the first question after the, “How you doin?” greeting is “What’s new in the Humidor?” Since there are over a 1,000 new blends out there and the brand owner can no longer give out samples, it is up to me to search out whats new on the shelf. My friend Arturo, and shop manager, pointed out the latest offerings from HVC Cigars, a brand I did not get to see when I was at the IPCPR this past July.
Reinier Lorenzo, the owner of HVC has a great love for his native Cuba. In fact two of his latest releases are named after the neighborhood and the street where a Cuban pimp was shot. The La Rosa 520 is named after the Neighborhood and the San Isidro is named after the street. Based on Arturo’s recommendation I decided to purchase the San Isidro and give it whirl. I am told, if you like a Padron 1964, you will love the Isidro and it is half the price at an MSRP of $11.05!
The HVC San Isidro is blended with Nicaraguan Aganorsa tobaccos, including some AAA classified tobaccos. In fact Reinier Lorenzo’s Padrino (God Father) is Arsenio Ramos (Casa Fernandez Arganosa leaf fame). The San Isidro is produced at the TABSA factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Available in just one vitola (6 x 52) and packaged in boxes of 20, the HVC San Isidro has a blend that is described as:
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
So let’s give the HVC San Isidro a test drive as I settle in the Stogie Press lounge on a cool autumn night here in Central. FL.
Cigar Review Notes
- Smooth medium brown Ecuadorian Habano wrapper
- Wrapper has a slight sheen to it
- Nut and raisin aromas on the foot
- Sweetness fills the nostrils along the barrel
- Peppery nut cold draw with a little restriction
- On first light sweetness wrapped in a peppery retro-hale greets the palate
- Solid salt and pepper ash and a medium char line
- The pre-light nut joins the party
- Spicy aroma
- Excellent ash
- Perfectly centered burn cone
- Sweetness intensifies end of first third along with a malt flavor
- Wish I had some highland scotch with this!
- Aroma shifts to a buttered maple syrup note
- Dark chocolate notes enter midway through second third
- Wrapper is oiling up well
- Full body of smoke
- Some spice enters the mix at end of second third
- The burn is perfect and trouble-free
- Cedar completes the burn
Overall, the HVC San Isidro lives up to its recommendation. It was a delicious, trouble free, smoke that offered the palate terrific flavor and aroma transitions. As I stated this is one that would pair very well with a Highland Single Malt Scotch. It clocked in at just over an hour and 20 minutes of smoking pleasure and registered as a solid medium strength cigar that should be enjoyed by any cigar lover.
HVC San Isidro