Marking ten years of one of HVC’s most anticipated annual releases, the HVC Black Friday 2025 is a limited-edition cigar handcrafted at Fabrica de Tabacos HVC S.A. in Nicaragua. The 6½ x 54 Leales—meaning “Loyal”—features a Habano 1992 wrapper grown in Ecuador over Nicaraguan binder and fillers from Jalapa and Estelí. Production was extremely limited, with only 500 boxes of 50 cigars produced, making this release highly sought after by collectors and fans of the series.
Light reddish-brown wrapper with a smooth, oily sheen. Moderately veiny with excellent construction throughout. The roll feels firm and densely packed yet pliable in the hand, with a perfect draw that delivers consistent smoke from the start.
Caramel and vanilla lead off with a light, sweet lingering flavor reminiscent of honey barbecue sauce. A salty edge pairs with dark, roasted spice notes, followed by buttery wheat toast and pronounced cedar that leans very woody. Nuances of cranberry-orange bread emerge alongside leather, walnut, and almond-like nuttiness, supported by earthy undertones and a subtle hint of red pepper.
Pepper begins to subside as roasted hay and a spicy vegetal character take center stage, though a strong red pepper heat shows up on the retrohale. Mild vanilla and caramel remain in the background with a touch of leather. Lemon zest, dark spices, and chocolate add complexity, while leather and oak deepen the profile. Wood notes of hickory and oak become more pronounced, joined by caramel popcorn and a mineral note reminiscent of pasta water.
Strength noticeably picks up in the final third. Pepper continues to fade, allowing vanilla, leather, and caramel to move to the forefront. Hay and barnyard notes return, accented by lemon zest. Peppery heat is reduced but still present. Floral and buttered bread notes appear alongside leather, nuttiness, earth, cocoa, cedar, and espresso, finishing with earthy undertones and a touch of licorice.
A fine cigar with good burn, solid ash, and impressive smoke output. This cigar immediately commands attention with an exquisite collection of flavor notes that continuously evolve and engage the palate. Strength remains medium through the first two thirds before bumping up slightly in the final third. Overall, it is very enjoyable, smooth, balanced, and complex, with seamless transitions and no harshness. A great smoking experience, though it is worth noting that some reviewers reported wrapper-related construction issues that affected the overall score.
Overall Score: 90.83 out of 100
Overall Strength Score: 5.08 out of 10
This blind review (Cigar #30-D) was conducted by the Cigar Review Team comprising of: JB Smith, Rob Brown, Bret Curry, Mike Conklin, James Elliott, Eusebio Garre, King Sweet Daddy, & Jeremy Hanson
