Pre-light Experience

The wrapper has a very consistent medium brown color to it with a few well pressed veins visible. The seams are hard to see as they are well blended around the tight box press. The head is finished off with a well applied triple cap. The band has a nice mix of colors, including some pastels with the line name displayed prominently. The aroma from the wrapper is barnyard while the foot is a mix of leather and dry earthiness. The pre-light draw is a slightly sweet hay with a mild spicy tingle on my lips.

Pre-light Experience

The HVC San Isidro Hermoso has an oily, darker brown Equadorian Habano wrapper. The near square shaped format is well constructed, providing a uniformed give, tight seams, well pressed veins and a well applied triple cap. Nosing the wrapper tells leather and rich cedar. Nosing the foot gives cedar, white pepper and mixed nuts. Cold draw gives cedar, hay and heavier black pepper spice.

First Third

The profile begins with some cedar and a very concentrated cinnamon that has a bit of heat. At a quarter inch in, the cedar turns to a darker wood and the cinnamon settles down slightly. The retrohale carries a creamy, intense cinnamon note. At an inch in, the wood isn’t as dark, the cinnamon mellows a bit more and some dry earthiness joins the profile. As the third comes to a close, a slight creaminess joins the profile. The retrohale also transitions to a creamy wood note as the cinnamon has left. The strength in this third was slightly above medium.

First Third

Upon initial draw, there is a lot of rich and full flavors. Deep notes of cedar, black pepper, coffee, mixed nuts and bread. Retrohaling further accentuates both the bread note and black pepper spice. The finish is made up of a lingering black pepper, cedar and earth. Strength is near medium-full and body is medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the profile is now a very creamy wood note with the cinnamon a supporting note in the background. The retrohale carries this same profile. At a quarter inch in, a slight coffee note joins the profile as the cinnamon departs. At a half inch in, the wood becomes more defined as oak and is paired with a good dose of cream and a supporting coffee note. The retrohale is heavy on the wood with a slight bit of cream. This is the profile that runs through the end of the third. The strength remained at slightly above medium.

Second Third

The second third continues to impress but now with an oily coating on the entire palate, especially on the finish. The flavors don’t change. Still full and rich notes of cedar, black pepper, coffee, mixed nuts and bread. Retrohaling allows for the black pepper to become sharper in addition to the same deep notes of bread. Strength moves to medium-full and body stays medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the oak gains a slight char as the cream drops back slightly and the coffee leaves the profile. At a quarter inch in, the coffee note rejoins the profile. At a half inch in, the cigar begins to heat up which brings some mintiness to the profile to pair with the oak as the cream and coffee notes leave. This is the profile the cigar finishes with. The strength in this third bumped up to medium-full.

Final Third

The last third continues to show an oily mouthfeel where there is no dryness at all. The type of cigar that constantly creates a salivating mouthfeel. The notes are still powerful with cedar, black pepper, coffee, mixed nuts and bread. Strength and body finishes medium-full and medium, respectively.

Burn

The burn was a bit wavy, but always kept up with itself. In the second third, I had to do a touch-up as the cigar seemed to want to go out on me. The ash held on in about one inch increments.

Burn

The burn performance was lackluster. Two complete re-lights and a very wavy burn were the culprits. Did not effect the flavors much since purges were done but nonetheless, a bit of a disappointment.

Draw

The draw was slightly looser than I prefer but didn’t seem to cause any issues with the smoking experience.

Overall

I was interested in trying this new vitola as I didn’t have the most favorable thoughts from the initial release. I was happy to see a better showing here. There was a nice cinnamon note in the first third that paired well with the wood and cream that were the core flavors. Construction was pretty good and only needed attention once. This cigar brought me back to the enjoyment level that the early HVC releases provided me and I was glad to see that. This is a cigar I would definitely go back to and if you’re a fan of Aganorsa tobacco, it would be one you should definitely check out.

Draw

Perfect draw yielding the best resistance and air flow.

Overall

Medium-full strength, medium bodied, rich and full of flavors sums up the HVC San Isidro Hermoso. The oily mouthfeel gave way to a great array of flavors. The only downside is the pesky burn. But overall, a pleasure to smoke and will gladly purchase them with no regrets.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

6.47

Cost/Point

$1.42

Scoring System

Jiunn Liu

SCORE

7.83

Cost/Point

$1.17

Scoring System

Team Cigar Review: HVC San Isidro Hermoso