HVC Cigars follows up the successful HVC Hot Cake with the HVCHot Cake Golden Line. The Cigar is available in four sizes; Laguito No. 4 (4 1/2 x 52), Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46), Laguito No. 5 (6 x 54) and Gran Canon (6 x 60). The cigar is being made in brand owners Reinier Lorenzo’s own factory Fabrica de Tabacos HVC S.A. de Reinier Lorenzo in Esteli, Nicaragua.
Cigar Review: HVC Hot Cake Golden Line
Size: Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46)
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua (Esteli & Jalapa)
Debut: July 2023
The Cigar: Featuring the predominantly gold band with a red circle denoting Hot Cake and black writing surrounding it stating HVC Havana City allows it to stand out on the shelf due to its brightness. The golden Connecticut wrapper is nearly flawless with a some subtle veins. The cold draw serves up hints of cream, hay and earth while the foot has a barnyard mustiness to it.
The Notes: Right at first light this cigar is a flavor bomb. There are notes of butterscotch, cedar, and the espumita on a Cuban coffee. This foam is created by whipping a heaping amount of sugar from the first few drops of the coffee. This sugar foam helps cut the bitterness and it is a Miami thing as I have been told sugar isn’t used in Cuba when making caffecito.
As we move into the second third some of the sugary sweetness begins to dissipate as notes of cedar and earth move center stage but the finish is reminiscent of heavily soaked French Toast. Before the second third comes to a close some black pepper begins to join the mix.
The final third sees black pepper continue to increase with notes of cedar and wood. As we move past the band some cocoa beings to emerge with a nice spicy conclusion to this wonderful cigar.
Conclusion: The HVC Hot Cake Golden Line might feature a Connecticut Shade wrapper but it does not smoke like one. There are very few flavor bombs with a shade wrapper out there and this one might just be the best. It’s very complex with a lot of nuances that can and should be smoked any time of day. The release further solidifies Reinier Lorenzo as one of the up and coming cigar makers. He should be around for decades assuming he doesn’t sell his company.
Score: 92
Price: $8.30 / $207.50 (Before Local Tobacco Taxes)
