HVC Hot Cake Laguito #4 – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

HVC came out with a new regular production line last summer: Hot Cake. The cigar is a sequel of sorts to their 2016 release Pan Caliente which is Spanish for Hot Cake.

HVC Hot Cake is made at Aganorsa Leaf’s TABSA factory in Esteli Nicaragua like all other HVC cigars. The blend uses a Mexican San Andres wrapper, Jalapa Corojo 99 binder, and fillers including Esteli Corojo 98 and 3 different varieties of a newer tobacco called Corojo 2006 Maduro. The Corojo 2006 Maduro uses viso priming form that plant which HVC President/Founder/Blender Reinier Lorenzo says “gives it a super rich flavor with a ton of sweetness.” He also notes that the uniqueness in the flavor of this blend comes from the Jalapa Corojo 99 and Esteli Corojo 98 both grown from Aganorsa Farms. HVC Hot Cake launched in three sizes Corona Gorda (46 x 5 5/8) $7.40, Laguito #5 (54 x 6) $9.00, and Laguito #4 (52 x 4 ½) $8.00. Earlier this year the company launched a 60 ring gauge version, Gran Cañon.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 4 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA)
Blender: Reinier Lorenzo
Number of reviewers: 4 – Alan (Eulogy) John A. (Bostoneo) Mickey T. (irratebass) Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Price: $8.00
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: July 2020
Contributed by: Blind Man’s Puff

Initial Impressions – HVC Hot Cake Laguito #4

Appearance: 89

“Robusto in size, this is a very dark, semi-rustic looking brown wrapper with a bit of tooth with great looking construction.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Aroma: 89

“Old McDonald would be proud of the heavy dose of barnyard I’m getting from the cigar.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

First Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Upon lighting up, initial flavors of charred meat, sweet cream, and peanut give a delightful start to the medium-full bodied cigar. As the cigar burns on, the flavors balance out into a smoother profile adding additional notes of a slightly fruity cream.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“I clip the cap with a v-cut and check out the cold draw to get sweet plums. Light it up and get things underway. The first thing I notice is the combination of plums and leather with little to no spice at all. ” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Second Third

Flavor: 87
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Still a fair amount of oak and pepper-like the last third but there’s more of a vegetal note now. A bit of baking chocolate, leather, hay, and coffee with a very dry mouthfeel. The draw is still a bit too tight. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Moving into the second third, this sample holds steady with its medium-full bodied profile. Continuing with notes of leather, cedar, and a slight peanut note, this maintains its easy-going style. This profile holds on the entire third.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Final Third

Flavor: 87
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“I curbed the tar but now the strength has really ramped up. It was mild to medium at best, but now moving closer to a medium to full. The draw is starting to tighten up as well. The sweetness is hanging in there, but having to fight through the strength and earth notes. “-Mickey T. (irratebass)

“The pepper and sweet plums continue, as it isn’t the most complex but that’s okay. I will say the strength has slowly built up and offers up some excitement in that regard.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Overall Impressions – HVC Hot Cake Laguito #4

Draw: 88

“I got the right amount of resistance from a v-cut.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Burn: 91

“Slight waviness at times but it always corrected itself. I never needed to do any touch-ups or relights which was a plus. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

Construction: 90

“The triple cap was well applied, the seams were tight, and I couldn’t feel any soft spots prelight. The draw was far too tight and never let up though.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 87

“The flavors were nice and bold but a lot of them were kind of hidden in the background. It’s something that you really need to sit back and think about what you’re smoking. I would pick up another one to see if the draw was a fluke but if that is the normal tension I would probably not pick up anymore.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Overall, this was a tasty medium-full bodied cigar with plenty of delightful flavors. Not terribly complex, this sample gave some enjoyment as it maintained its flavors throughout the session without much change. I’d definitely give this cigar another go, however, it just did not overly impress me. Try this one out, it may be your gig for a no-frills stick with enjoyable characteristics.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“This was a really nice smoke after a hard day at work. It was relaxing had quite a bit of sweetness that just came popping out. It ended on a sour note for me with the tar seepage and heavy earth notes. I would definitely smoke this again, and maybe even pick up a fiver later.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Straightforward notes of leather, plum, and black pepper are a good summary of what this cigar offers. It wasn’t very exciting, but it wasn’t bad either. Solid middle of the road cigar with nothing to really write home to mom about.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 108

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

HVC Hot Cake Laguito #4 – Blind Cigar Review