This HVC La Decoración Churchill was an enjoyable blend that was nuanced enough. The combination of herbs, creaminess, earthiness and spice was well composed and balanced. And for a bigger size (toro-ish), it was just enough to satiate the palate. I'd definitely go for more of these.
I enjoyed the HVC La Rosa 520 10 Year Anniversary Originales. I loved many aspects of the cigar. The cigar was constructed and looked beautiful in presentation, and it delivered a solid flavor profile from start to finish. I loved the pepper, dry earth, wood, coffee and cream combo. The pricing is fantastic, and Reinier has been doing an incredible job at his new factory. He’s preserved and enhanced his brand with the establishment of his own factory.
The HVC Black Friday 2023 had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around the earth, black pepper and toasted cedar. Not a very exciting profile, and it was quite bold with a decent level of strength. Not really a cigar I'd see myself coming back to, but for those that like a bold profile, this smoked slow and gave a good smoking time, so there may be some value there.
This HVC Hot Cake Fresh Out of the Oven Broadleaf Torpedo is a pretty good representation of broadleaf. I wouldn't put it tier one though, because at times the profile is harsh and edgy. But perhaps some more humidor time will be helpful, and in turn will turn it into a solid good cigar all the way through the smoking time.
The HVC Selección No.1 Connecticut Esenciales is another consistent and engaging release from HVC, which I was happy to have the chance to review. The profile ranged from medium-full down to light plus at times so there was quite a range of intensity that I enjoyed. You have a cigar with an enjoyable flavor profile, perfect construction and a price point that's very competitive in the current 2024 market. This is something I would happily return to.
Hot Cake Golden Line is a hit on many levels. I would not say it is overly complex, but a great value Connecticut that can be enjoyed by any level of smoker. Constructed perfectly, the HVC Hot Cake Golden Line Corona Gorda smoked cool with core flavors from start to finish. Yes, I will come back to this cigar. Yes, I can see this cigar becoming a regular in my rotation. Nice morning beach cigar.
The HVC Selección No. 1 Natural Esenciales is a balanced cigar with tons of flavors. This was a great Ecuadorian Habano release. I look forward to smoking this cigar in other vitolas, and I will definitely buy a box. Great value. Nice job, Reinier!
The HVC La Rosa 520 Rare of Rare was a balanced cigar with a complex flavor profile. Lots of depth with some transitioning throughout the thirds. Nice strength and body; match the flavors of the cigar well. It has been some time since I have had a really good Ecuadorian Sumatra release, feels like years, but this delivered that great lighter Ecuadorian Sumatra flavor profile I enjoy.
This HVC Selección No. 1 Esenciales was a really good cigar, and a cigar I would come back to over and over again. A strong cigar that has a flavor profile to my liking as well. Wood, leather, earth and cocoa qualities. Lots of pepper. I would smoke these all the time. Bring it on first thing in the morning. With that being said, this cigar lingers on the palate after smoking. It is great to see some awesome corona gordas released in 2022.
The HVC Black Friday 2021 started well, with a nice combination of flavors, but the second third dropped down as some components left the profile and maintained this level the rest of the way. I really liked how the cigar started, but it just couldn't maintain the mix of flavors. The cigar also finished out with a bit of a strength punch. The price point is attractive, but it just isn't a cigar that I'd see myself coming back to that often.