Wrapper: Shade grown Criollo – Nicaragua
Binder: Sun grown Criollo – Nicaragua
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua
Size: Belicoso 6 x 52
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $125.84 for box of 21 ~ $38.03 for 5 Pack
Written by Katmancross
Rated 91 by Cigar Aficionado
Each Xikar HC Criollo cigar is handmade at the Nestor Plasencia factory. The four-vitola Criollo line features a two-country filler blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos along with a sun-grown Criollo binder and a five-year-old Nicaraguan shade-grown Criollo wrapper.
I did the sniff-o-rama and could smell a faint cocoa and dried fruit aroma in the pre light. And a very rich chocolate on the foot
The cigar is packed a little too tightly at the top so I grab my cigar ice pick…but use it very carefully as not to crack the wrapper.
The stick is very firm. No soft spots and yet it had a perfect draw.
Upon light up, I got a blast of spice, but also, the cocoa was ruminating in my mouth.
The first third develops an earthy, nutty, creamy group of flavors with a spicy pepper and baking spice finish. It’s full flavored and medium body in strength. I smiled like the Cheshire Cat.
As I continued to smoke it down, the profile changed a little, in terms of flavor. The earthiness was still present. But a sweetness, that was somewhere between mocha and caramel, became apparent. The caramel side was very prominent.
The spiciness held its own.
During the last third, the cigar transitioned into a very complex cigar. All that creaminess, and cocoa, just a hint of coffee, and the peppery zing was a wonderful combination.
I smoked it to the nub. It had no harshness or nicotine bitterness or buzz.
