The HVC Edición Especial made its debut in 2015 and was re-launched in 2018. Only one size was released in 2015, which was the toro. Now, there are three sizes: Corona (5 x 46), Toro (6 x 52), and Toro Gordo (6 x 56).
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 blend uses a Nicaraguan corojo 99 wrapper from Jalapa, and four-year-old Nicaraguan binder and fillers. The Corona comes in 50-count boxes, while the other two sizes come in 20-count boxes. It was shown off at the 2018 IPCPR trade show.
“Nice Tri-Capped Toro. Very light in the hand. Very impressed with wrapper selection minimal veins wrapper is a little thin but looks phenomenal.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Aroma: 88
“Light notes of leather and vanilla are given off the foot while the cold draw reveals mustiness.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
Flavor: 88 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“Getting quite a bit of wood and spice right out the gate, but the retro is really where this cigar really peaks with cream and floral notes.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Starts off with crisp, dry cedary notes. Twenty minutes in there's still a predominant profile of crisp woodiness. Not much else going on. “-John I. (John I.)
Second Third
Flavor: 88 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“I do like the changes in profile keeping the cigar interesting. Cigar is fairly consistent. I am liking the
sweetness on the finish. The spice is nearly non existent at this point. Now that I complemented the consistency, the whole cigar changes and takes more of a wood smoke earthy turn. The first burn correction can no longer be out off.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Medium bodied throughout, roasted peanuts, dark leather, vanilla, and oak dominate this third throughout. The stick begins to crack and tears throughout the length of the stick.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
Final Third
Flavor: 87 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Light-Medium
“Still ramping up in the strength. The floral notes all but gone now, and I am getting heavy cinnamon on the retro. Still lost of spice and wood. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“There has been a very welcome flavor shift in the final third. The woody flavor has softened, and
“Aside from some wonkiness to the burn, this cigar was very well constructed. ” –John I. (John I.)
Overall Strength: Medium Overall Body/Complexity: Medium Experience Overall: 88
“This was an interesting cigar. I started out mild/medium and kept ramping up in strength were it even caused a bit of a nicotine buzz. The main flavor component was wood & spice, there was a nice floral and cream on the retro in the beginning then turned to more spice, until the final third which brought heavy cinnamon on the retro very unusual. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Horrible construction on this sample aside, this was a very flavorful smoke. The richness of the tobaccos lent excellent wood, leather, and nutty flavors that would complement excellently with whisky hands down. I just wish the darn thing didn't explode on me. Defiantly something to try for you medium bodied smokers as this offering has plenty of flavor to give. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“Pretty monotonous overall. Not much going on in terms of flavor til the finale, and that transition wasn't tremendously dramatic. Not a bad cigar in any sense, but not something that's going to demand too much of your attention. ” –John I. (John I.)
“I would smoke again. Wonderful experience. Even with the very few negative aspects, worth a smoke” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
"This was an interesting cigar. I started out mild/medium and kept ramping up in strength were it even caused a bit of a nicotine buzz. The main flavor component was wood & spice, there was a nice floral and cream on the retro in the beginning then turned to more spice, until the final third which brought heavy cinnamon on the retro very unusual. " -Mickey T. (irratebass)
