HVC 500th Anniversary Tesoros Cigar Review (2021 Release)

In November of 2019, HVC released a cigar celebrating the 500th anniversary of a city he use to call home, Havana. The city of Havana was founded by the Spanish on November 16th, 1519 and to celebrate the 500th Anniversary HVC created a unique blend using the best tobaccos from Aganorsa Leaf. According to a press release, “it is through this blend that you will experience Havana through your senses.” The original size was a 5 7/8 x 52 called the Tesoros. In 2020, the company released the Selectos which measured 5 5/5 x 46.

This year (2021) HVC has released the cigar once again in its original Tesoros size.

Cigar Review: HVC 500th Anniversary
Wrapper: Nicaragua Corojo ‘ 99 (Jalapa)
Binder: Nicaragua (Jalapa)
Filler: Nicaragua Criollo ’98 and Corojo ’99 (Esteli & Jalapa)
Length: 5 7/8″
Ring Gauge: 52
Size: Tesoros (Toro)

The Look: In the eyes of a retailer the boxes of this HVC are not shelf friendly as they take up a wide footprint. The boxes contain 15 cigars laid out in one row. The cigar features two bands with the primary utilizing colors of red, white and gold. The 2021 edition sees the wrapper come in a lighter shade than the original release. In the hand the cigar is firm with no soft spots and a well packed foot with a hefty weight.

The Notes: The cold draw on the HVC 500th Anniversary has a brown sugar sweetness along with the taste of a pretzel. The foot of the cigar serves up traditional tobacco notes with a hint of manure which is considered the ultimate compliment in tobacco. After we toast and light the foot of the cigar there is a subtle brown sugar sweetness.

As we smoke the first third the brown sugar gives way to cinnamon, bread and a touch of raisins making it very enjoyable. The finish is long and slightly earthy but the sweetness on the palate does carry over as well. The retrohale adds nuances of cedar and brown cigar which help offset the earthiness.

The second third sees the bread and raisin notes fade away as the cinnamon component struggles to hang on. The earthy notes become more dominant as does notes of red pepper.  The long finish sees notes of cedar and nutmeg added on the retrohale with an afterthought of brown sugar.

As we finish things out in the last third the are notes of red pepper are dominant with a touch of earth and almonds. The retrohale sees the red pepper intensify with some added almond notes. Oddly, enough the finish of the cigar is a touch shorter as it is time to put down the HVC 500th Anniversary.

The Finish: With the lighter wrapper on the 2021 addition of the HVC 500th Anniversary I wondered aloud before I lit up if the cigar would be different. Referring to my original review back in 2019 after I smoked this cigar, I believe the cigar is the same in terms of strength but the flavor components are intensified. The sweetness of the first third really stood out and as the cigar transitioned into a classic Nicaraguan blend it was extremely enjoyable and definitely something worth smoking on the regular.

Score: 94
Price: $10.79 / 142.99