Cigar Geeks - Viaje Honey and Hand Grenades (HHG) The Rapier Maduro

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Viaje Honey and Hand Grenades (HHG) The Rapier Maduro
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Brlesq

86
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique. This one has been generously sponsored by our member ninfiction (Brian). The cigar provided for this round is the http://www.cigargeeks.com/cigardb/default.asp?action=showcig&cigar_id=193113">Viaje Honey and Hand Grenades (HHG) The Rapier Maduro. We did a Geek Critique in May 2017 on the original HHG Rapier. So how do you improve upon a classic? You wrap it in a flawless San Andres Maduro wrapper. Viaje's fondness for San Andres is no secret, so when they began experimenting with Honey & Hand Grenades, this beautiful cover leaf was an obvious choice, and became the new HHG Maduro, which began shipping in June 2021.

Viaje Honey and Hand Grenades (HHG) The Rapier Maduro

Brand:: Viaje
Name:: Honey and Hand Grenades (HHG) The Rapier Maduro
Length:: 6.5
Ring Gauge:: 44
Country of Origin:: Nicaragua
Filler:: Nicaragua
Binder:: Nicaragua
Wrapper:: Mexico
Color:: Maduro
Strength:: Medium-Full
Shape:: Figurado
Notes:: https://halfwheel.com/viaje-honey-hand-grenades-maduro-shipping-this-month/393700/

This cigar was enjoyed with Weller Antique 107

Pre-Light: 8 Points of 10 Possible

The presentation with the red foil sleeve and the bumble bee band certainly distinguishes this cigar and makes it stand out in a crowded humidor. However, there is nothing to distinguish this rarer Maduro HHG from the normal HHG... they look identical. Seemed to be solidly rolled, with an oily, mottled brown/dark brown wrapper and a few small veins. Along some of the vein lines the darker shade almost looked like someone had applied shoe polish, and I was both surprised and disappointed that this dark brown coloring soiled my fingers. Pre light aroma reminded me of a barnyard.

Lighting and Burn: 14 Points of 15 Possible

The reverse torpedo shape means that you light the tapered end and not the bigger end, though both ends had well applied caps. The cap clipped cleanly, and I clipped a quarter inch off the tapered end, but the draw was too tight and had trouble lighting it. Clipped another quarter inch, and it lit right up. The first third of the cigar up the taper had an uneven burn, but by the second third it straightened itself out and the burn line stayed nice and even until the end with no touchups required. The ash was nicely layered, and I tapped it off after every inch. This became a real smoke maker which was surprising for the size of the cigar, and a slow burner.

Construction: 26 Points of 30 Possible

The reverse torpedo shape was interesting. The cigar was expertly constructed, solidly rolled with no soft spots. Two nice caps on it. The wrapper never split or flaked, but the dark coloring that rubbed off on my fingers was on the back of my mind as I smoked this cigar.

Flavor and Aroma: 38 Points of 45 Possible

Upon lighting, the cigar sent blasts of red pepper across my tongue. Strong flavors of burnt dark coffee, red pepper and other spiciness assault the palette. Man, this is one strong cigar! There is a touch of sweetness on the lips. Full strength and body.

By the second third the flavors come down to a much more discernable and enjoyable level. Not quite as strong, the coffee is more enjoyable, there is a touch of earthiness, and red pepper on the tongue. The nicotine is starting to kick in. Cigar remains full strength, but now medium-full in body.

As the final third commences, there is a creaminess developing. Some more sweetness developing, and the coffee, red pepper and earthy/clay qualities are still very present. This was my favorite part of the cigar, and I ended up nubbing it. Definitely feeling the nicotine now.

Summary

The guys here that regularly herf with me will attest that I am a big Viaje fan and smoke a lot of them. Most Viajes have some similarities in flavor profile. The HHG Maduro is a departure from that and invites an entirely new experience, and not one for the timid! I'm glad that I paired this with the Weller 107 in order to stand up to the strength of this cigar, and found it to be an enjoyable smoke. A big thank-you to ninfiction for asking to be a part of this critique!