Cigar Review: Xikar HC Criollo

 

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.

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