Back in July of 2020, you know, the year we all wish to forget, HVC Cigars released their newest craft called the Hot Cake. The company notes that it is a follow-up to the Pan Caliente limited edition that was released back in 2016. If you are interested in the relation, the phrase “pan caliente” translates to “hot cakes” in English.
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While the 2016 Pan Caliente was a Nicaraguan puro that sported a Criollo 98 wrapper, HVC owner Reiner Lorenzo describes the 2020 Hot Cake blend as:
- Wrapper – Mexican San Andrés
- Binder – Nicaraguan Double Binder Corojo 99 (Jalapa) & Corojo 98 (Estelí)
- Filler – Nicaraguan Corojo 2006 Viso maduro
The HVC Hot Cake is expressed in three vitolas, each packaged in 25-count boxes:
- Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46) – MSRP $7.40
- Laguito #4 (4 1/2 x 52) – MSRP $8.00
- Laguito #5 (6 x 54) – MSRP $9.00
The name Laguito is nod to a little lake in Miramar, Cuba just west of Havana and the home of the Cohiba cigar factory and mansion.
For this review I sampled two HVC Hot Cake Laguito #5 vitolas that I purchased as part of the 2020 Stogie Press mission to Keep The Lights On.
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Pre-Light Examination
The HVC Hot Cake Laguito #5 is a beautiful oily dark brown cigar that has a fine gritty feel to the touch and decent marbling running through it. There are a few noticeable veins and it is finished with a well applied triple cap. The cigar is solidly packed and has a decent weight in the hand.
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A single band adorns the cigar that uses a red, gold, white and black motif. The name “HOT CAKE” is boldly displayed in white lettering on a bright red circle with the company name “HVC Havana City’ printed around it.
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Running the HVC Hot Cake along the nose, I picked up notes of naturally sweet tobacco and cocoa along the barrel and an enticing nuance of chocolate off the foot.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs that were distinctly different than the notes I got from the pre-light aroma. The cold draw offered notes of earthiness and a medium peppery sensation and was nicely restricted.
Using my triple flame torch, I warmed the foot and drew in the first puffs of floral and pepper smoke that started a pleasant journey down to the nub. Follow along as burn the HVC Hot Cake to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
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- Floral and pepper notes off the first light
- Thick chewy smoke fills the palate
- Sweetness and cream moving through the first third
- Light grey ash forms on top of a thick char line
- Caramel notes join the mix with an increasing cocoa sensation
- Ash fell in nice chunk revealing a slightly off-centered burn cone
- Earth and spice enter in the second third
- Oils develop well above the burn line
- Early spice becomes more savory
- A slight off burn forms but does not require a touch-up
- Very smooth smoke moving through the second half
- Continued earth and spice notes keep the palate pleased
- Touch of fruit and a maple syrup aroma adds more interest
- Medium to full in strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1hour and 40 Minutes
Overall, the HVC Hot Cake Laguito #5 was a flavorful and aromatic cigar with excellent transitions from foot to nub. I was especially pleased with the smoothness of the smoke in the second half, which made it almost ingestible. There was a slight off burn midway which did not require a touch-up, but the burn stayed a tad wonky through the rest of the journey. Medium to full in strength, the HVC Hot Cake Laguito #5 is one cigar the most refined palate would appreciate. I rate this a 95.
Point Deductions: (-1) Off Centered Burn Cone; (-1) Wavy Burn in Second Half; (-1) Slight Off Burn Midway
Bonus Points: (+1) Buy a Box; (+1) Excellent Oiling Above the Burn Line; (+1) Pleasant and Consistent across Multiple Samples; (+1) Complex in Flavor and Aroma
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