Cigar Info
H.R Cigars, the collaboration between Hiroshi Robaina and Omar Gonzalez Alemán added two new lines at last years IPCPR trade show, H.R. Claro and H.R. Blue. In addition a limited production corona size was added to the existing H.R. Line. Today, we are reviewing the HR | Claro 109. Earlier last year, it was announced that Spencer Drake's White Hat Distributors LLC was taking over distribution for the HR brand. The HR brand had its roots under Cubanacan Cigars. Last year, Robaina and Gonzalez Alemán ended their relationship with Cubanacan and joined up with Drake's operations. The trio worked together when Drake was at Cubanacan.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
The H.R. Claro is a “Cubanesque” blend that González Alemán spent over a year perfecting. The cigar features a Habano Claro wrapper and is available in four sizes: Rothschild (5 x 48. $8.95 SRP), Robusto Gordo (5 1/2 x 56. $10.95), Toro (6 x 52, $10.95 SRP), and 109 (7 1/4 x 50, SRP $10.95).
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Double Corona
Length: 7.5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Habano Claro
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Undisclosed
Factory: La Corona
Blender: Hirochi Robaina, Omar Gonzalez Alemán
Number of reviewers: 5 – Eric (smalls29) Matt C. (Big Matt) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Zane G. (Zane) Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Price: $10.95
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: July 2016
Contributed by: White Hat
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 92
“This is probably the best looking cigar I have had in my hands in a long time. Perfect looking wrapper with a closed foot. Nice triple cap on the tapered head. I could sit and hold this cigar in my hand and never light it.” –Zane G. (Zane)
Aroma: 89
“The pre-light aroma was faint, with just some cedar and grass. The cold draw was peppery, along with a musty note.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
First Third
Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The immediate flavors encountered did not match the sweet smell pre-light. There are wonderful flavors of coffee, wood, and licorice. Also being enjoyed is the peppery flavor that leaves a nice tingle on the lips and mouth. Like eating a Jalapeno pepper. The after taste is a wonderful charbroiled flavor.” –Eric (smalls29)
“Some pepper spice and a nice earthiness are the primary flavors in the first third. A subtle sweetness and some other spices join the profile after about 10 minutes.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Second Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The smoke had lost the leather notes yet remains full of white pepper. The leather had been replaced with a cashew nuttiness that is creamy and coats my palate with each puff. Whatever this is, it has my interest.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“In the second third the cigar unfortunately turns a bit muted in flavor. Still a little espresso with some sweet notes on the retro. Halfway through the 2nd third the cigar shifts to a primary note of nuttiness. Also strength has picked up a bit. Also additional spice building in the retro.” –Zane G. (Zane)
Final Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Well damn the pusher man. The strength and body top out at Medium-Full. In the 3/3, black pepper is on the rise and we now have leather along with the citrus, doughy bread, roasted nuts, creamy cedar. Espresso dominates the finish which is medium in length. The strength makes it slightly hard to type but the mind is crisp. Balanced profile remains.” –Matt C. (Big Matt)
“The final portion of this cigar had the white pepper fading almost completely while the creaminess expanded into a rich, almost creme Brule sweetness. There remained a nutty undertone but the primary flavor through the end was sweet creamy caramelized natural sugar. Yum!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 96
“The draw was effortless. Very nice not to worry about it.” –Eric (smalls29)
Burn: 94
“The burn was smooth and clean. It has a nice blue smoke that added to the flavorful experience.” –Eric (smalls29)
Construction: 93
“I am amazed that this cigar performed as well as it did. The burn and draw were superb while the ash was nearly perfect, allowing me to control exactly when to knock it off. Ad this to the beautiful appearance and its obvious that the filter was a real expert.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 89
“This cigar had a nice balance of flavors. It started off with a nice, tingly pepper flavor that disappeared after the first third. However, the balance of coffee and woods with hints of licorice were complex and very nice. Not once did they try to outdo the others. A nice personality. I always enjoy a cigar that has the taste of a good cup of coffee or espresso. This is definitely one for the humidor.” –Eric (smalls29)
“This sample was not only a joy to look at but was also pleasant journey to smoke. This cigar presented creamy cedar, citrus, roasted nuts, sweet fruit, doughy bread, hay, a touch of cinnamon, and through the nose was espresso, dark chocolate notes, hay, earth, and black pepper. If you have the time to smoke a cigar for 2+ hours grab a few of these, and however many hands this blend took to come to fruition was well worth the work.” –Matt C. (Big Matt)
“This is easily my favorite cigar of 2017. The flavor is wonderful, and the strength was just right. There is a fair amount of nicotine present but nothing a sip of soda couldn't offset. Outstanding” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“This is a classic tail of don't judge a book by it's cover. This cigar is one that has an amazing wrapper and is just gorgeous. With the closed foot the first few puffs was amazing. Really rich and flavorful. As the cigar progressed it became muted. If I could do it over I would just have the cigar to look at!” –Zane G. (Zane)
“Even with the sour notes in the end, the first half of the cigar was pleasing. I will be interested to find out what it is, and especially to see if it is available in other vitolas. I think a Corona size in this blend might be much better.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 93
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Reviewer
|
Appearance
|
Aroma
|
1/3
|
2/3
|
3/3
|
Draw
|
Burn
|
Constr.
|
Overall
Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eric | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 95 | 93 | 92 | 90 |
| Matt C. | 95 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 95 | 93 | 90 | 92 |
| Jason H. | 95 | 90 | 95 | 92 | 95 | 97 | 97 | 97 | 97 |
| Zane G. | 100 | 97 | 95 | 88 | 88 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 88 |
| Matthew T. | 90 | 85 | 90 | 88 | 85 | 88 | 83 | 88 | 85 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.