Cigar Geeks - Xikar HC Series Connecticut Grande

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Xikar HC Series Connecticut Grande
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Jason Sherlock (Jackal)

83
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 Black Seal Rum

Pre-Light: 17 Points of 10 Possible

This was a slightly oily, mottled, golden brown, big cigar with a somewhat light feel in the hand. The wrapper had large bumps, dark spots and prominent veins in it. The cap was pretty ugly, but sliced through easily. There was, also, a split in the wrapper near the cigar's head.

The scent of the cigar has a slight vanilla hint to it. The pre-light draw was easy, and there was taste of hay.

Lighting and Burn: 13 Points of 15 Possible

The cigar lit easily but initially did not produce much smoke. After about 1/4 of the way into the cigar smoke quantity increased to a good level.

Ash was salt and pepper and firm. There was very little flaking. The ash also held tight to the cigar and never dropped off unexpectedly.

The burn line was initially wavy but not out of control. About half way through, the burn straightened out and the waviness disappeared. The burn stayed cool throughout the duration of the smoke.

Construction: 22 Points of 30 Possible

There were some major construction issues with this cigar. Some were just cosmetic, but others displayed bad quality control.

First off, looking at the foot, there was a void in the evenness of the leaves. It looked like someone bored out a hole in the foot of this stick. The void was about 1/3 of a cm square and went about 3/4 of a cm deep.

Also, when I removed the lower band, I saw it was hiding the fact that the wrapper was not flush with the binder.

The cigar was firm across its length except about a large soft spot about 3/4 of an inch from the foot.

Flavor and Aroma: 31 Points of 45 Possible

The cigar opened with a slight peppery taste over a predominantly nutty leather flavor. Once the pepper was gone, a more honey like note emerged. There was a strong leather finish and no grassy taste at all.

As the smoking progressed, a heavier cashew like flavor dominated with the leathery finish continuing. By a 1/4 of the way into the cigar the nicotine was very noticeable.

By about 1/2 through the duration of the smoke, the flavors became more dynamic as hints of oak added to the cigar's complexity.

Around the 3/4 mark, a bitter grassy flavor emerged. Luckily it left by the time I got to the nub. Oak and cedar were now the dominant flavors

Near the end, a much heavier honey like flavor with a strong leather finish were predominant.

Summary

This was a decent tasting (albeit very mild) cigar that suffered from a lot of construction issues.

The flavors were complex and dynamic, but a little more subdued than I would have cared for.

Hopefully, the cigar that I got was an anomaly as far as construction went. However, HC's quality control should have never let it go out the door with the gaping void in the foot. Also, whoever put the band on the foot knew that they were covering up a badly applied wrapper.

I thought that this cigar was decent tasting, but not exceptional. I would not go out of my way to acquire another.