Since 2015 Reinier Lorenzo the owner of HVC Cigars has released a stick to celebrate the most chaotic day of the year for retailers and many consumers, Black Friday. Like the rest of the HVC Portfolio they are produced at TABSA in Esteli, Nicaragua. The Petite Robusto is limited to just 400 boxes of 50 cigars and today we review this limited release which comes in one size.
Cigar Review: HVC Black Friday
Wrapper: Habano Cafe
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 4.5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Size: Shorts (Petite Robusto)
The Look: The HVC Black Friday 2019 comes in a very basic box and inside the 50 cigars are bundled in a wheel. The Habano Cafe wrapper features a flawless gorgeous mahogany colored wrapper with a lot of oils. In the hand, the cigar is hefty and firm to the touch with a well packed foot.
The Notes: The cold draw serves up notes of mocha with a hint of orange marmalade. The foot of the cigar serves up some subtle nutmeg and cinnamon. Prior to lighting up I take another pull of the cold draw which is incredibly enjoyable. Once the cigar is lit there is blast of red pepper.
As we slide into the first third of the cigar, a toasted pumpernickel bread note develops with some underlying nuttiness. By the time we reach the end of the first third the notes are reversed with nuttiness becoming the primary and the fading pumpernickel serves as an afterthought. The retrohale is front loaded with pepper but as the final smoke pushes through the nasal passage there is a subtle sweetness.
In the second third nuttiness remains the dominant flavor profile some strong espresso notes introduced to the profile. The nutty notes remain on the long finish. The resting aroma of the cigar sees a lot of spice tease the nostrils, while on the retrohale the pepper notes are more muted.
As the cigar comes to a close some earthy components develop as the aroma of the cigar remains spicy. Made at TABSA the factory of Aganorsa Leaf the cigar displays that Aganorsa potency that I really enjoy as it takes me back to the day when they supplied tobacco to My Father Cigars.
The Finish: Another HVC Limited Edition release, the Black Friday is a strong cigar in a short format. The Petite Robusto has a nice complexity with a spicy kick on the backend. While I am not a fan of 50 count boxes due to price, the cigar works out to under $6 each which makes it an incredible value. And given the profile of the cigar I personally would have no problem smoking 50 of these between now and then 2020 release, if the FDA allows it.
Score: 93
Price: $6.69 / $292.99
HVC Black Friday
HVC Black Friday Foot
HVC Black Friday Burn
