Up for review today is the HVC Serie A Famous Exclusivo which is, obviously, a new release in the Famous Exclusivo cigar series blended exclusively for Famous Smoke Shop. HVC Cigars founder Reinier Lorenzo, who worked for over a year and a half on this blend, had this to say in a press release:
“Thanks to the Famous Smoke Family and to all our team in Nicaragua for making our production possible in these crazy times. The HVC SERIE A Toro Exclusivo for Famous Smoke Shop has all I look for as far as cigar; great flavor, balance, construction, and clean finish.”
Production is limited to 300 boxes.
THE CIGAR – SERIE A FAMOUS EXCLUSIVO by HVC CIGARS
Wrapper: Nicaragua Corojo ’99
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $9.50 (while these cigars were submitted to us for review by Famous Smoke Shop, please remember when purchasing some fine HVC cigars or other brands from FamousSmokeShop.com to use your new favorite promo code TNCC20 at checkout where it will knock $20 off your purchase of $100 or more)
The medium brown wrapper of the HVC Serie A Famous Exclusivo is accentuated by a sharp black & orange band (my personal favorite color combo) and the shiny gold “Famous Exclusive” wrapper on the foot lets you know, without any doubt, that there’s only one shop you’re going to find these at. Is that a good thing or not? Well you’re just going to have to keep on reading! There’s the exact right amount of give when the Serie A Famous Exclusivo is squeezed between two fingers and the aroma detected off the cigar is easily discernible as a rich tobacco sweetness with just a slight touch of hay.
1/3
The cold draw doesn’t reveal much of anything worth noting but upon ignition there’s a very nice medium strength black pepper spice through the nose and it is almost immediately joined by a leather note that also appears front-and-center via the draw. Smoke production is copious to say the least with beautiful grey smoke pouring out of both the foot and cap equally, it’s impressive and sexy. The draw’s leather is accented by a classic Nicaraguan mineral note and just a hint of butter here in the early goings. The cigar’s burn line is running on me just a bit and despite an effort to straighten things out it continues to grow a bit uneven… the flavors, however, remain on point.
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
2/3
Full disclosure, I’m pairing this cigar with a Pinot Noir and the wine’s subtle sweetness is playing well with the Serie A Famous Exclusivo but it is not bringing out any sweetness from the cigar itself. The primary flavors of leather and mineral are highly enjoyable, downright smooth in the middle third, and around the halfway mark the retrohale spice ramps up a bit which is a very welcome transition. Construction, now that the burn line has been corrected, is very good with a smooth draw and smoke production pouring from both ends that continues to impress. So far I’d say the distinct mineral flavor is the star of the show, you gotta love Nicaraguan tobacco!
Strength: Medium
Body: Mild / Medium
3/3
That nose-tingling spice continues to let itself be know in the final third and it is complimenting that leather/mineral profile on the draw extremely well. The butter note has sadly left the building, I wish that it had stuck around longer, but the flavors that are present are highly enjoyable. Construction has remained very good throughout, the ash is a bit flakey but the draw and burn in the final third are commendable. Smooth leather and mineral with a nice touch of spice define the Serie A Famous Exclusivo smoking experience until the end…
Strength: Medium
Body: Mild / Medium
THE NUB
The Serie A Famous Exclusivo by HVC is a very good, straight forward cigar that delivers on consistent enjoyable flavors and an ever present spice via the retrohale. And at a tight 68 minutes, let’s face it, sometimes that’s exactly what we are looking for in a well-blended Nica puro. Gimme the pepper, gimme the leather and mineral, and just for a spell gimme that ever elusive butter. I was a happy camper when this stogie ended and I’m curious to hear your thoughts after smoking this cigar. So head over to FamousSmokeShop.com and pick up a handful of the HVC Serie A Famous Exclusivo and let us know what you think!
