Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan Estelí & Jalapa
Size: 5.625 x 46 Corona Gorda
Strength: Mild/Medium
Price: $8.30
My cigars have acquired naked humidor time just shy of 2 months.
BACKGROUND:
Regular production.
Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos HVC, S.A.
Atlantic Cigar:
“The 90-rated HVC Hot Cake made a huge splash when it first debuted and it’s easy to see why. The hearty maduro hits all the right spots. But on tap here, we’ve got an HVC cigar that goes in the opposite direction. HVC’s Hot Cake Golden Line Connecticut is a smooth, crisp Ecuadorian Connecticut-wrapped beauty. Loaded with Nicaraguan tobaccos from Jalapa and Estelï, the Hot Cake Golden Line delivers flavorful notes of cedar, leather and cocoa on the finish. This mild to medium-bodied beauty is the perfect morning cigar and pairs beautifully with a nice cup of coffee.”
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
Aromas are very typical of a Nicaraguan covered Connie. And they are as follows…creaminess, lemon citrus, black pepper, cedar, and caramel.
It is a light cigar. Clipping the cap allows a free draw of air so my PerfecDraw draw adjustment tool won’t be needed.
Right off the bat, I get some tasty creaminess, punchy black pepper, lemonade, cumin, and an unexpected richness that squishes my palate nicely.
I don’t like mild/medium strength cigars. Generally speaking, I find that they don’t have the character I particularly look for in a cigar. First, they lack a wide array of flavors. I don’t remember ever smoking a Connie flavor bomb. And second, their complexity is played in a minor scale. As opposed to notations in a major scale. That was very bad musician humor…it’s early in the a.m. Sometimes it’s a swing and a miss.
Salty pretzel joins the fray.
Very easy-going blend so far. Although the spiciness fools the brain into thinking the cigar is stronger than it is.
HVC is a solid manufacturer. Not every cigar has been a winner, but close enough for jazz.
The Corona Gorda is one of my favorite sizes. It interprets the blender’s intent better than the bigger sizes.
Creamy butterscotch. Beef jerky. The tobacco innards were perfectly chosen. I like it. I find it burning like a fast mover as it only took 7 minutes to reduce by an inch. Under filled. But I’ve learned that things may change later in the cigar to slow things down appropriately.
The char line is a bit wonky.
Medium strength is hit. Much better.
I prefer an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper over the U.S.A. Connecticut because the former has a richer body. The Ecuadorian is not so one dimensional.
This is a lovely morning cigar that couples well with coffee. It has just the right juxtaposition of tenderness and potency while providing some depth and complexity that seasoned smokers expect from their cigars.
1-1/2” burned. 13 minutes. Whoa, Nelly.
The cigar is not heading towards flavor bomb status. The elements I’ve described will be the canonized flavor profile throughout the journey. The x factor is the complexity, depth, and richness of character. So far, so good. An enjoyable cigar.
It is on a path of continual growth. Nothing linear about this cigar so I offer a polite golf clap for the blend.
I don’t see the need to make this baby sleep for a couple months. Based on my experience with these cigars, a couple weeks should do it. It’s already a mellow cigar so extended humidor time isn’t needed. The blender’s intent is immediately relevant.
I love watching current documentaries about Egypt. Just fascinated by that stuff. I found a couple websites that allow you to insert your name, or any number of words and the site translates them into Egyptian Hieroglyphics.
The first one is Cigar Reviews by the Katman. I don’t see a cigar. But the giveaway is the second line. Three hawks. The middle hawk is staring at the camera and saying, “WTF?” It must be right.
The second hieroglyphic is self-explanatory.
The burn is slowing down a tad. This might make it to an hour smoke. At only $8 a stick, it’s a deal in today’s market.
There are four sizes: 4.5 x 52, 6 x 54, 6 x 60, and the 5.625 x 46. Stick with the smaller sizes for the flavorful journey. But if you’re a Gordo man, go for it. It will require three or four times the humidor aging to reach the flavor points I’m experiencing with the Corona Gorda.
The halfway point arrives at 30 minutes. My prediction of an hour smoke seems to be dead on. Normally, my predictions are me stepping on my dick.
While this size certainly cannot rival the much longer smoke time of the two bigger sizes, I find it perfectly OK. An hour smoke sometimes hits the spot.
Strength remains at medium but there is a nicotine punch.
The HVC folks came through with a cigar blend I had hoped would entertain. An excellent easy rider that provides flavor and character…rare as hen’s teeth.
Flavors: Creaminess, lemony, black pepper, graham cracker, cedar, caramel, and a fetching warmth that comes from the cigar’s rich behavior.
Final smoke time is one hour.
Knowing that this blend is a regular production cigar makes it a great go-to cigar.
You can purchase these cigars from two of my sponsors: Small Batch Cigar (10% off with promo code ‘katman) and Atlantic Cigar (no promo code).
RATING: 93
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
