In 2018, HVC released a limited edition cigar that was a bit of a nightmare for retailers when it came to put them on the shelves. The box was originally designed 20 cigars and held 10 Toro’s and 10 Short Robusto’s. Until the company released bundle refills, re-stocking a specific size forced you to open another box or leave a void on their shelf.
In 2021, The HVC Broadleaf returns utilizing the same blend, albeit in one size for now. Reinier Lorenzo plans to release more sizes but with a shortage on Broadleaf tobacco there is no specific date for a line extension on the books right now.
Cigar Review: HVC Broadleaf
Wrapper: USA Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Size: Toro
The Look: Packaged in boxes of 20 cigars in a basic wood box in . Inside the cigars features a red, white and gold band denoting HVC First Section on the primary band with a secondary band denoting Broadleaf in gold with a black background. The dark wrapper has a subtle brindle effect to it with a nice amount of oil and some crystallization. At first I thought these cigars were darker than the original release but in comparing old pictures they are similar. In the hand the cigar is firm to the touch with a slightly spongy foot and an average weight to it.
The Notes: The cold draw reminds me of Bazooka Joe bubble gum with the powder like coating that covered the piece. The aroma off the foot of the cigar is earthy with a subtle fig like sweetness. Once the cigar is toasted and lit the cigar is very earthy to start.
As we move into the first third notes of hard pretzels and dark chocolate emerge as the dominant flavor profile with some leather on the finish of the cigar which is long and tasty. As the first third comes to a close the leather notes are a bit more noticeable but there is a subtle cocoa sweetness developing as well. The retrohale offers up wood notes reminiscent of birch.
Moving into the second third the palate recognizes some of the birch notes from the retrohale along with an abundance of cashews. The subtle cocoa that was developing in the first third fails to materialize in the second half of the cigar, but there is some sweetness remaining in the form of dark chocolate. The retrohale continues to serve up notes of wood, though they are less defined that the first third. The finish is surprisingly shorter which is a rarity in my experience and it has some leather as well.
The final third showcases the strength of this cigar which creeps up on you when you least expect it. The leather notes are their most dominant at any point of the smoke, but in the background there is a faint cherry sweetness along with hints of oak and cashews. While being the strongest part of the cigar it is the most complex as well. The finish is once again long and extended by the retrohale which sees back pepper, continued leather and oak.
The Finish: When I first smoked the HVC Broadleaf 2021 I thought it was stronger than the last release. However, in checking my notes they performed almost identical which is pretty amazing. If your a fan of Broadleaf and stronger cigars this one is right in your wheelhouse and based on the amount I have smoked it is in mine as well. If this your style of cigar it is definitely box worthy.
Score: 93
Price: $11.69 / $206.99
HVC Broadleaf Toro
HVC Broadleaf Toro Foot
HVC Broadleaf Toro Burn
