Cigar Geeks - Xikar HC Series Connecticut Grande

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Xikar HC Series Connecticut Grande
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Christopher Fejes (Voexum)

91
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Cigar Geeks Critique of a vitola provided to us by our friends at Xikar Cigars. This is part 2 of our 2 part series for Xikar cigars. Up for review this time is the Xikar HC Series Habano Colorado Petite Corona. A special thanks goes out to Nathan (nwb) for setting this one up.

Xikar HC Series Connecticut Grande

Brand:: Xikar
Name:: HC Series Connecticut Grande
Length:: 6
Ring Gauge:: 60
Country of Origin:: Nicaragua
Filler:: Costa Rica
Mexico
Nicaragua
Binder:: Sumatra
Wrapper:: Connecticut Shade
Ecuador
Color:: Colorado Claro
Strength:: Medium
Shape:: Toro Gordo
Average Member Rating:: (3 Review(s))

This cigar was enjoyed with Hot Tea

Pre-Light: 20 Points of 10 Possible

It has a few small but visible veins, however almost invisible seams on its nice smooth wrapper. The aroma is light with hints of straw and tobacco.
I really like the style of the HC Series, so this cigar with the double band looked great.

Lighting and Burn: 15 Points of 15 Possible

Cigar lit easily and had a fairly straight burn the whole way down, never needing any touch-ups. This cigar was a slow burner and lasted well into the 2 hour territory. Immediately and throughout the stick it produced plenty of smoke.

Construction: 27 Points of 30 Possible

It had a very spongy feel to the whole stick and I would have thought it would have created a very tight draw, however not so, it had just the prefect amount of resistance! And even though it was a perfect resistance, the squishy feel could have been a bit firmer. Had a nice strong cap.

Flavor and Aroma: 29 Points of 45 Possible

1st Third
Began with a slight grassiness with some pepper on the finish, and after a few draws the pepper power subsided leaving a nice grass and cedar taste with only hints of a white pepper zing.

2nd Third
This was very similar to the first third with only a bit of stronger wood/cedar notes. A bit of a creamy smoke feeling developed for a short time as it approached it's last third.

Final Third
During the last part of the cigar it became quite dry and bitter with sharp kicks of pepper. This was accompanied by heat that caused me to end it a little early.

Summary

This was a bit stronger than I was initially expecting, however I was pleasantly surprised with this connecticut. It has quite a bit of flavor and really had a perfect draw. It wasn't the best finish, however, with it lasting as long as it did, and it being so enjoyable up to that point, it very well makes up for it.